Combined conservative and orthotic management of acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon.
BACKGROUND
There has been considerable debate about the best treatment for acute rupture of the Achilles tendon. At our institution, a well-documented and structured program of nonoperative management of Achilles tendon rupture with use of casts and a removable orthosis was developed.


METHODS
We assessed the results in 140 consecutive patients with a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon who had been treated with our nonoperative regimen at our center between 1992 and 1998. Patients were evaluated on the basis of the subjective results and clinically with physiological testing.


RESULTS
Overall, 56% of our patients had an excellent result; 30%, good; 12%, fair; and 2%, poor. The overall complication rate was 8%, with three complete and five partial tendon reruptures, two deep vein thromboses, and one temporary dropfoot.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our nonoperative orthotic treatment were better overall than published results of operative repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Our patients were quite satisfied with their treatment.
Wallace
Richard G H
RG
Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. r.wallace@dnet.co.uk
Traynor
Ingrid E R
IE
Kernohan
W George
WG
Eames
Michael H A
MH
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012421:Rupture; D016896:Treatment Outcome