PARS for Torn Tendons

Houston Methodist surgeon and foot and ankle specialist Kevin Varner, M.D. uses the percutaneous Achilles repair system, called PARS, to repair torn tendons through small incisions. He explained to News Medical, “The Achilles does not tear cleanly. Rather it shreds like a mop, so without proper treatment, it just becomes a ball of fibers, ” he said. “Traditionally, we would cut out all of the damaged tissue to create two clean ends and sew those ends of the tendon together.

Because the Achilles, which is the largest tendon in the body, has a great capacity to heal, Varner believes that preserving the damaged tissue with the PARS technique is a better way, in most cases, to repair the tendon. “With making a smaller incision and saving the tissues of the Achilles, the PARS technique can help the tendon heal better, ” Varner told News Medical.

He begins by making a two centimeter, horizontal incision about four to six centimeters above the heel to insert the PARS device up toward the knee. The PARS device has four prongs—two that go inside the leg to hold the tendon in place and two that go outside the leg. All four prongs have eight small holes that enable the surgeon to pass needles and suture thread through the tendon. When the device is inserted down towards the ankle the process is repeated and when the surgeon pulls on the threads the two ends of the tendon come together.

“With making a smaller incision and saving the tissues of the Achilles, the PARS technique can help the tendon heal better, ” Varner said.

Varner cautions that the PARS technique may not be the best option for all cases. For a successful treatment, for example, the Achilles tendon tear must not be more than 10 to 12 days old. The reason is the tendon will have begun to heal itself creating scar tissue that the surgeon must clean out for the tendon to fully function.