The Achilles Tendon

Professor Nicola Maffulli previously published a book with Springer entitled: Tendon Injuries. Nicola Maffulli is a Professor of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery at Keele University School of Medicine and Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and City General Hospital, Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire, UK. He is one of the most pre-eminent sports medicine and orthopaedic consultants in the UK. Nicola has had more than 250 articles published in peer reviewed journals on various aspects of trauma and orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine and sports traumatology. He is currently Editor in Chief of 'Continuous Medical Education in Orthopaedics'; and is an Editorial Board Member for 'The British Journal of Sports Medicine'; 'Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine'; and 'Arthroscopy'. He is President of the British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma Association (BOSTA), and serves as an examiner for The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and for the Intercollegiate Academic Board of Sports and Exercise Medicine. His areas of particular clinical interest include Tendon problems, ACL injuries and the management of osteoarthritis in young patients. Dr. Louis C. Almekinders is a native of the Netherlands where he attended Erasmus University (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) for both undergraduate and medical studies. Following the completion of his studies he moved to the USA. While in North Carolina, he completed a residency in Orthopaedic Surgery and a research fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. In 1989 he joined the faculty of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the ensuing 14 years he worked as a team physician for the varsity athletic teams and became a tenured, full professor at UNC. In addition, Dr. Almekinders spent a considerable amount of his time in basic, orthopaedic research focusing on acute and chronic soft tissue injuries. In 2002 he resigned his position to start the North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic in Durham, NC as part of the Duke University Health System. He is a clinical professor in the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and continues to be active in teaching and clinical research. The focus of his current practice is soft tissue problems in knees, shoulders, ankles and feet. He uses mostly arthroscopic techniques to treat problems in these joints and has a special interest cartilage restoration, including cartilage transplantation.

The History of the Tendo Achillis and Its Rupture.- The Anatomy of the Achilles Tendon.- Biomechanics of the Achilles Tendon.- Imaging of the Achilles Tendon.- Etiology and Epidemiology of Achilles Tendon Problems.- Paratendinopathy of the Achilles Tendon.- Tendinopathy of the Main Body of the Achilles Tendon.- Custom Foot Orthotic Management in Achilles Tendinopathy.- Percutaneous Surgical Management of Achilles Tendinopathy.- Open Surgery for Achilles Tendinopathy.- Flexor Hallucis Longus Augmentation for Insertional or Noninsertional Achilles Tendinopathy.- Generalities of Insertional Tendinopathy.- Insertional Tendinopathy of the Achilles Tendon.- Endoscopic Techniques.- Achilles Tendon Rupture Generalities.- Conservative Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture.- Open Surgery for Achilles Tendon Ruptures.- Chronic Ruptures of the Achilles Tendon.- Fascial Turn-Down Flap Repair of Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture.- Peroneus Brevis Tendon Transfer for Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures.- Free Gracilis Tendon Transfer for Chronic Rupture of the Achilles Tendon.- Chronic Ruptures of the Achilles Tendon: Management with Synthetic Material.- Management of Complications.- The Achilles Tendon, Ankle Equinus, and Athletes.- Achilles Tendon Involvement in Pediatric Conditions.- Medico-Legal Aspects of Achilles Tendon Disorders.- Genes and the Achilles Tendon.