Riassunto dello studio

One hundred and thirty patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures were randomized to receive early controlled ankle motion during weeks 2 to 8 post-injury (n=68) or ankle immobilization during weeks 2 to 8 post-injury (p=62). The primary outcome of interest was the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). Secondary outcomes of interest included heel-rise work, tendon elongation, perimeter of calf difference compared to uninjured limb, Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA), Achilles length measure (ATLM), and the incidence of re-rupture. The incidence of return to work, the incidence of return to sport, the incidence of return to sport at same level, time to return to work, time to return to sport, and time to return to sport at the same level were assessed at 1 year post-injury. Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-injury. No statistically significant differences in all outcomes, at all time-points, were observed between the early controlled motion group and the immobilization group (p>0.05 for all).