Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2008 Jun;1(2):161-4.
doi: 10.1007/s12178-008-9025-4.

The ruptured Achilles tendon: operative and non-operative treatment options

Joshua A Metzl  1 , Christopher S Ahmad, William N Levine
Affiliations

The ruptured Achilles tendon: operative and non-operative treatment options

Joshua A Metzl et al. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008 Jun.

Abstract

The Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body. Like any other tendon in the body, however, it is susceptible to rupture. Many surgeons advocate early operative repair of the ruptured Achilles tendon, citing decreased re-rupture rates and improved functional outcome. Waiting for surgical repair for longer than one month may lead to inferior functional results postoperatively. Non-operative treatment has higher re-rupture rates as compared to surgically repaired tendons, but may be the treatment of choice in some patients. While for many years, patients were rigidly immobilized in a non-weightbearing cast for 6-8 weeks postoperatively, newer studies have shown excellent results with early weightbearing, and this is quickly becoming the standard of care amongst many physicians.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(a) and (b)—Intra-operative view of ruptured Achilles tendon
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Normal Thompson’s test. Note plantar flexion of foot with squeezing of the calf. Indicative of intact Achilles tendon
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Thompson’s test in patient with Achilles tendon rupture. Note lack of plantar flexion with squeezing of the calf demonstrating a ruptured Achilles tendon
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Gebauer M, et al. Mechanical evaluation of different techniques for Achilles tendon repair. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2007;127(9):795–9. doi: 10.1007/s00402-007-0325-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Strauss EJ, et al. Operative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures: an institutional review of clinical outcomes. Injury. 2007;38(7):832–8. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2006.06.005. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Kocher MS, et al. Operative versus nonoperative management of acute Achilles tendon rupture: expected-value decision analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2002;30(6):783–90. - PubMed
    1. Cetti R, et al. Operative versus nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. A prospective randomized study and review of the literature. Am J Sports Med. 1993;21(6):791–9. doi: 10.1177/036354659302100606. - DOI - PubMed
    1. McComis GP, Nawoczenski DA, DeHaven KE. Functional bracing for rupture of the Achilles tendon. Clinical results and analysis of ground-reaction forces and temporal data. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1997;79(12):1799–808. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources