Conventional vs Accelerated Rehabilitation Protocol Following Reattachment of Achilles Tendon for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Background: No studies have compared early vs conventional postoperative weightbearing following suture bridge Achilles tendon reattachment. We, therefore, evaluated postoperative functional outcomes in these patients. Methods: We collected data on 49 patients who underwent surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy using a central Achilles tendon-splitting approach and reattachment with suture bridge technique by a single surgeon. Functional outcomes were measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The differences in outcomes were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: Eighteen and 31 patients underwent the conventional and accelerated protocols, respectively; their corresponding mean ages were similar, 53 and 57 years, as were all other baseline characteristics. The mean scores (conventional vs accelerated group) for VAS for pain, FAAM, and SF-36 in the conventional group at 3 months postoperatively were 4 +/- 1 vs 3 +/- 1 points, 53 +/- 8 vs 68 +/- 3 points, and 57 +/- 15 vs 67 +/- 10 points (P < .05 for each comparison). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. All patients could perform the single heel raise test at 6 months, and none experienced complications. Conclusion: In this small study, short-term functional outcomes were better in the accelerated group. More data are needed before the accelerated program can be recommended.

Automated summary

The study found that patients undergoing suture bridge Achilles tendon reattachment with an accelerated protocol had better short-term functional outcomes, but further data is needed to confirm the recommendation of the accelerated program.