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This protocol is intended to guide clinicians through the post-operative course for Achilles tendon repair. This protocol is time based (dependent on tissue healing) as well as criterion based.
ο At two-week follow-up, patients are placed in Achilles-specific walking boot with 40° heel lifts. ο Physical therapy is initiated at two-week follow-up with specific protocol. Patients are counseled on avoiding any activity or falls/near falls to forcefully push the ankle past neutral.
This protocol provides a guideline for rehabilitation of an Achilles tendon injury that is being treated WITHOUT surgery. Exercises should be gradually progressed based upon protocol recommendations and physician discretion as well as the patient’s ability to perform correctly and without an increase in pain.
TABLE E-1 Achilles Tendon Rupture Rehabilitation Protocol. *Patients were required to wear the boot while sleeping. †Patients could remove the boot for bathing and dressing but were required to adhere to the weight-bearing restrictions according to the rehabilitation protocol.
The goal of rehab after Achille's tendon rupture is termed “Early Functional Rehab.”. It is geared to allow early weight bearing while protecting the tendon in a CAM boot. It is imperative to work with your physical therapist and follow their guidelines.
Treatment: Acute Achilles tendon ruptures can be treated both with and without surgery, each with its own risks and benefits. Historically the tradeoffs were between a much higher rate of re-rupture of the tendon with nonoperative management (approximately 1 in 7 patients) versus the risk of wound complication with surgery. More recent
The operative treatment of an Achilles tendon rupture includes open repairs and minimally invasive and percutaneous techniques, all involving the placement of su-tures, which provide extra protection during the healing process at the cost of disrup-tion of blood supply.
