Tendo-Achilles injury: An observational study in a tertiary care hospital

Objective: To report demographic and injury characteristics of tendo-Achilles (TA) injury, and determine its association with the use of Indian style commode seat (ISCS), the clinical and functional outcomes. Methods: This observational study was conducted between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019, and a total of 44 patients with TA injury were included in the study. Their demographic profile, etiology, operative details, and functional outcomes were studied. All patients underwent primary repair followed by standard postoperative management and follow-up for 6 months. Results: Out of 44 patients, 7 (15.9%) sustained closed injuries while 37 (84.1%) sustained open injuries. In open injury cases, 30 (81%) patients suffered an injury due to slipping in ISCS, 4 (11%) from road traffic accidents, and 3 (8%) due to falling of a heavy object. Besides, 20.45% of cases of ISCS injury had associated neurovascular injury. Twenty (45%) patients took more than 90 days to start independent ambulation. At 6 months follow-up, no one could reach pre-injury fitness status. Conclusions: Open TA injury by ISCS is an important, under-reported, and preventable cause of loss of physically active manpower in institutional setups.