Outcome After Conservatively Treated Achilles Tendon Rupture

"As part of standard care at AUH (until May 2024), patients are immobilized in scotch cast with the foot in plantarflexion during week 0-4. Next, the scotch cast is replaced by a ROM-WALKER in plantarflexion for the next 7 weeks (week 5-11 after injury). The ROM-WALKER is gradually corrected from 30 degrees plantarflexion to 0 degrees. No weight bearing or exercises is allowed and they are not allowed to remove the ROM-WALKER during week 0-10. At week 11, the patients are allowed weight bearing up to 30 kg, after which there is no longer weight bearing restrictions.~From week 12 they are allowed full weight bearing with a 1 cm heel lift i their shoes."

"The patients are treated with a walker orthosis with 3 wedges in plantarflexion, during week 1-2 with no weight bearing and no exercises. After 2 weeks, the tendon will be examined, and if no defect in the tendon is detected by palpation, the patients will start partially weight bearing in week 3-5, and full weight-bearing week 6-8. They are instructed in unloaded exercises for the calf and anklejoint after 2 weeks, and loaded exercises (elastic) after 5 weeks, with a maximum position til 0 degrees in the anklejoint. Balancetraining and stationary bike training after 7 weeks. The wedges are removed one by one after 3, 5 and 7 weeks, respectively.~If there is a palpable defect in the tendon after 2 weeks, the patient must wait 1 week with partially weight bearing and exercises, and remove the wedges at 4, 5 and 7 weeks after the initiation of treatment.~From week 9, walking i their shoes with a 1 cm heel lift."