Progressive management of open surgical repair of achilles tendon rupture.
A 33-year-old man sustained an acute Achilles tendon rupture which was surgically repaired. Early nonweight-bearing range of motion and strengthening of the ankle and the repaired muscle unit was allowed at 4 weeks postoperatively, and closed-chain dorsiflexion was allowed at 6 weeks. Casts and/or ankle-foot orthoses were used to continue protection of the Achilles from reinjury and full body forces as the repaired muscle continued to heal. In this case, range-of-motion and strengthening exercises were initiated at an earlier stage in the treatment program without compromising the result. When indicated, this treatment will provide excellent posttraumatic function of the surgically repaired Achilles tendon in the motivated and compliant patient.
Dirk H. Dugan is Orthopedic Surgeon at Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, 201 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850.
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Hobler