Achilles Tendon Rupture Follow-up

  • Author: Brian A Jacobs, MD, FACSM; Chief Editor: Sherwin SW Ho, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 13, 2011
 

Return to Play

Return to play following an Achilles tendon rupture is dependent on the method of treatment (operative vs nonoperative). (See Treatment.)

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Complications

  • Following nonoperative treatment, the incidence of rerupture is higher (up to 40%).
  • Surgical repair results following rerupture are poorer when compared with the initial operative treatment of an acute tendon rupture.
  • Operative treatments have several complications, including wound complications (eg, infection, skin slough, sinus formation), adhesions, and possible sural nerve injury (especially through a lateral longitudinal approach).
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Prevention

Good conditioning and proper stretching is important in the prevention of Achilles tendon injuries. Adequate warm-up is always encouraged before participation in activities that place the Achilles tendon at risk.

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Prognosis

With proper treatment and rehabilitation, the prognosis following an Achilles tendon rupture is good to excellent.[22] Most athletes are able to return to their previous activity levels with either surgical or conservative treatment. However, individuals who undergo surgical treatment are less likely to experience rerupture of their Achilles tendons. The rerupture rate for operative treatment is 0-5%, compared with nearly 40% in those who opt for conservative treatment.

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Education

Individuals should be educated on the importance of stretching and proper conditioning to prevent rerupture of the Achilles tendon. Wearing appropriate and properly fitting shoes during activities also should be stressed to all athletes.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Brian A Jacobs, MD, FACSM  Consulting Staff, Private Practice, Family Medicine of South Bend; Team Physician, Marian High School

Brian A Jacobs, MD, FACSM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David Y Lin, MD  Fellow, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Campbell Clinic

David Y Lin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Evan Schwartz, MD  Director of Orthopedic Surgery, New York Medical College; Assistant Professor, St John's Queens Hospital, Department of Surgery, Albert Einstein School of Medicine

Evan Schwartz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David T Bernhardt, MD  Director of Adolescent and Sports Medicine Fellowship, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics/Ortho and Rehab, Division of Sports Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

David T Bernhardt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and Herodicus Society

Disclosure: Breg, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; Biomet, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; GMV, Inc. Arthroscopy Simulator Evaluation and teaching; Smith and Nephew Grant/research funds Fellowship funding; DJ Ortho Grant/research funds Course funding; Athletico Physical Therapy Grant/research funds Course, research funding

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Henry Marano, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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