The aim of this study was to compare immediate weight-bearing mobilisation with traditional plaster casting in the rehabilitation of non-operatively treated Achilles tendon ruptures.

Forty-eight patients with Achilles tendon rupture were randomised into two groups. The treatment group was fitted with an off-the-shelf carbon-fibre orthotic and the patients were mobilised with immediate full weight-bearing. The control group was immobilised in traditional serial equinus plaster casts. The heel raise within the orthotic and the equinus position of the cast was reduced over a period of eight weeks and then the orthotic or cast was removed. Each patient followed the same rehabilitation protocol. The primary outcome measure was return to the patient's normal activity level as defined by the patient.

There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of return to normal work [p=0.37] and sporting activity [p=0.63]. Nor was there any difference in terms of return to normal walking and stair climbing. There was weak evidence for improved early function in the treatment group.

There was 1 re-rupture of the tendon in each group and a further failure of healing in the control group. One patient in the control group died from a fatal pulmonary embolism secondary to a DVT in the ipsilateral leg.

Immediate weight-bearing mobilisation provides practical and functional advantages to patients treated non-operatively after Achilles tendon rupture. However, this study provides only weak evidence of faster rehabilitation.

We performed two independent randomised controlled trials to assess the potential benefits of immediate weight-bearing mobilisation for Achilles tendon ruptures. The first trial on surgically treated patients provides strong evidence of improved functional outcome for patients mobilised fully weight-bearing after operative repair of their Achilles tendon rupture. The two cases of re-rupture in the treatment group suggest that careful patient selection may be required as patients need to follow a structured rehabilitation regime.

The second trial performed upon non-operatively treated patients provides only weak evidence of a functional benefit from immediate weight-bearing mobilisation. However, the practical advantages of immediate weight-bearing did not predispose the patients to a higher complication rate. In particular there was no evidence of tendon lengthening or a higher re-rupture rate. We would therefore advocate the use of immediate weight-bearing mobilisation for the rehabilitation of all patients with rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Aim The aim of this study was to compare immediate weightbearing mobilisation to traditional plaster casting in the rehabilitation of acute repaired Achilles tendon ruptures.

Methods 48 patients with acute repaired Achilles tendon ruptures consented to enter the trial. Patients were randomised into two groups. The treatment group were fitted with an off-the-shelf carbon-fibre orthotic and were mobilised fully weightbearing. The equinus position of the ankle joint was reduced over a period of 8 weeks and the orthotic was then removed. The control group were immobilised in traditional serial equinus plaster casts. The equinus position of the cast was reduced over the same 8 week period with weightbearing for only the last 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure was return to the patient’s normal activity level. An independent observer, blind to treatment, recorded secondary clinical, anthropometric and patient-centred outcomes. Follow-up was for one year.

Results There were 23 patients in the treatment group and 25 in the control group. Results show median in weeks (95% C.I.), p-values are based upon a log-rank test.

Return to sport was 39.0 (18.0 to 60.0) in the treatment group and 26.0 (40.0 to 90.0) in the control group, p = 0.341.

Return to normal walking was 12.0 (10.0 to 18.0) in the treatment group and 18.0 (18.0 to 22.0) in the control group, p < 0.001.

Return to stair climbing was 13.0 (10.0 to 15.0) in the treatment group and 22.0 (18.0 to 22.0) in the control group, p < 0.001.

Return to work was 9.0 (2.0 to 9.0) in the treatment group and 4.0 (1.0 to 13.0) in the control group, p = 0.984.

There were 2 re-ruptures of the tendon in the treatment group. One occurred when the patient slipped on ice whilst wearing the orthotic. The other whilst running 3 months after the initial injury. One patient who had an augmented tendon repair and then plaster casting, required plastic surgery for a major wound complication. In addition, there were 8 minor wound-related complications in the control group and 6 in the treatment group.

Conclusion Immediate weightbearing mobilisation provides practical advantages to patients after Achilles tendon repair. The median return to activity was significantly shorter in the treatment group for return to normal walking and return to stair climbing but not for return to work or sporting activity.