The study followed the three year outcome of patients with complete ruptures of the Achilles tendon that were treated with non-surgical methods. Eighty-six percent of them reported "excellent" or "good" results. These reasults were better than a similar group who had surgical repair.
The non-surgical treatment had patients wear a hard cast for a short time, and then switch to a lighter cast and finally to a functional, removable brace that was worn for one month. Traditional treament for a complete Achilles tear has always been surgery immobilizing the ankle with a cast during healing. In the study, patients were immobilized for a shorter period of time and then were able to take off the brace and do rehab exercises.
Researchers found that nearly all (91 percent) of those patients who participated in sports before thei injury were able to retun to sports. They also reported a lower rate of complictions than with surgical repair.
Their conclusion is that this new nonoperative treatment should be the treatment of choice when physicians and therapists are trained and experienced in this protocol.
See Full Abstract: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, June 2004
