Achilles tendon rupture—Part 2: treatment and rehabilitation

Abstract

Achilles tendon ruptures can be treated conservatively with a therapeutic shoe or an orthosis. Prospective randomized trials show comparable results to surgical treatment, with the right indications, correct performance and reasonable patient compliance. The target groups for conservative treatment are inactive patients and patients with substantial general risk factors. Surgical treatment of the Achilles tendon has changed over the decades. The direct open suture technique was replaced by minimally invasive procedures with percutaneous sutures. Chronic ruptures and/or defect situations that if untreated would lead to unstable healing, can be treated by an open reconstructive or minimally invasive procedure. Reconstructive techniques include turn-down flaps and aponeurotic reconstructive repair as well as a free tendon transfer using the flexor hallucis longus tendon or hamstrings. The gold standard for follow-up treatment is an early functional treatment.