Introduction: Minimally invasive repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) using the percutaneous Achilles repair system (PARS) represents a reliable surgical option, with complication rates comparable to other techniques. Heel pain at the anchor insertion site has been reported as a post-operative complication but is rarely discussed in the literature. This report describes the successful treatment of persistent heel pain through surgical anchor excision. Case Report: A 24-year-old man sustained a football-related injury to his left ankle in May 2023. He was referred to the emergency department with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of acute ATR. The patient underwent minimally invasive repair performed by an experienced foot and ankle surgeon using the PARS Achilles Midsubstance SpeedBridge™ Repair technique. Five months postoperatively, the patient reported pain localized to the lateral aspect of the heel near the anchor insertion site. Despite conservative management, symptoms persisted, leading to surgical excision of the anchor. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had fully recovered. Conclusion: Persistent anchor-induced heel pain after minimally invasive repair of acute ATR using PARS Achilles Midsubstance SpeedBridge™ Repair can be successfully treated with surgical anchor excision, despite reports in the literature suggesting potential spontaneous resolution.
Roche et al. (2026) studied this question.