Comparison of Lateral and Central Achilles Tendon–Splitting Approaches in the Treatment of Haglund Deformity

Background: This study aimed to compare the complications and outcomes of lateral and central Achilles tendon–splitting approaches for the treatment of Haglund syndrome. Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for Haglund syndrome between June 2012 and June 2022 were included in the study. Patients undergoing lateral approach surgery were included in group 1, whereas patients undergoing central Achilles tendon-splitting approach surgery were included in group 2. Surgical outcomes of the patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot scale, visual analog pain scale (VAS), and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISAA) scores. In addition, preoperative and final follow-up scores were compared. Results: The study included 66 patients: 32 (14 females, 18 males) underwent surgery using the lateral approach in group 1, whereas in group 2, 34 patients (18 females, 16 males) underwent surgery using the central Achilles tendon–splitting approach. There was a significant statistical difference in the AOFAS, VISAA, and VAS scores between preoperative and final follow-up for both group 1 and group 2 (P