Riassunto dello studio

Forty-eight patients with surgically repaired Achilles tendon ruptures were randomized to receive either standard loading (n=24) or delayed loading (n=24). The primary outcome of interest was the heel-rise height difference between the injured and uninjured sides at one year. Secondary outcomes included tendon length measured with MRI, muscle fascicle length and pennation angle of the gastrocnemius medialis, Doppler activity, Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), and isometric muscle strength. Outcomes were assessed for up to one year. Overall, the results of the study revealed no significant difference in heel-rise height deficit between the two groups. However, the delayed group had less Doppler activity at 12 weeks and a better ATRS at 52 weeks. These findings suggest that while delayed loading did not reduce the heel-rise height deficit, it may be associated with reduced inflammation and better patient-reported outcomes.