Affordable innovation in achilles tendon surgery: Comparative results of spinal-needle-assisted percutaneous versus open repair

Abstract

Background: Acute Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury with rising incidence. Open repair has traditionally been preferred but carries a notable risk of wound complications. Minimally invasive repairs reduce wound problems but often require costly proprietary kits, limiting accessibility in resource-constrained settings. We evaluated a spinal-needle-assisted percutaneous technique that uses standard hospital supplies and compared its outcomes with conventional open repair. Methods: A prospective, randomized comparative study was conducted at a tertiary referral center in Northeast India between May 2023 and April 2025. Twenty-three patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture (