Weight-Bearing in the Nonoperative Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

The rate of Achilles tendon ruptures is increasing, but there is a lack of consensus on treatment of acute injuries. The purpose of this trial was to compare outcomes of weight-bearing casts with those of traditional casts in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.METHODS: Eighty-four patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture were recruited over a two-year period. Patients were randomized to be treated with either a weight-bearing cast with a Böhler iron or a non-weight-bearing cast for eight weeks. Patients underwent muscle dynamometry testing at six months, with additional follow-up at one and two years. The primary outcomes that were assessed were the rerupture rate and the time taken to return to work. Secondary outcomes included return to sports, ankle pain and stiffness, footwear restrictions, and patient satisfaction.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to patient demographics or activity levels prior to treatment. At the time of follow-up at two years, one (3%) of the thirty-seven patients in the weight-bearing group and two (5%) of the thirty-seven in the non-weight-bearing group had sustained a rerupture (p = 0.62). The patients in the weight-bearing group experienced less subjective stiffness at one year. There were no significant differences in time taken to return to work, Leppilahti scores, patient satisfaction, pain, or return to sports between the groups.CONCLUSIONS: Use of weight-bearing casts for the nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures appears to offer outcomes that are at least equivalent to those of non-weight-bearing casts. The overall rerupture rate in this study was low, supporting the continued use of initial nonoperative management for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.