Chronic Insertional Achilles Tendonitis Treated With or Without Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfer

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Achilles tendon debridement and
decompression augmented with flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer results in
improved clinical and functional outcome as measured by ankle plantar flexion strength and
American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score compared to debridement and
decompression alone in patients over 50 years of age with chronic insertional Achilles
tendinosis.

H0: There will be no difference in ankle plantar flexion strength measured using a handheld
dynamometer between patients randomized to achilles tendon decompression and debridement
alone (Group 1) and patients randomized to achilles tendon decompression and debridement
augmented with FHL transfer (Group 2).

HA: Patients randomized to achilles tendon decompression and debridement alone (Group 1)
will have less ankle plantar flexion strength compared to patients randomized to achilles
tendon decompression and debridement augmented with FHL transfer (Group 2).