Comparison of Tendon Lengthening With Traditional Versus Accelerated Rehabilitation After Achilles Tendon Repair: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

Kelechi R. Okoroha, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Najib Ussef, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Toufic R. Jildeh, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Lafi S. Khalil, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Laith Hasan
Carter Bench
Ferras Zeni, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Erik B. Eller, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Vasilios Moutzouros, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Okoroha KR, Ussef N, Jildeh TR, Khalil LS, Hasan L, Bench C, Zeni F, Eller E, and Moutzouros V. Comparison of Tendon Lengthening With Traditional Versus Accelerated Rehabilitation After Achilles Tendon Repair: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med 2020; 48(7):1720-1726.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2020

Publication Title

The American journal of sports medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Early weightbearing protocols after Achilles tendon repair promote mobilization, yet little is known about their effect on tendon lengthening.

PURPOSE: To evaluate tendon lengthening after Achilles tendon repair with accelerated rehabilitation.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

METHODS: Patients undergoing primary repair for acute Achilles tendon ruptures consented to have tantalum beads placed within the tendon. Patients were randomized into either a traditional (weightbearing at 6 weeks) or accelerated (graduated weightbearing at 2 weeks) rehabilitation group. The primary outcome of the study was postoperative tendon elongation as measured by radiostereometric beads. Secondary outcomes included Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference Short Form (PROMIS PI-SF) score.

RESULTS: All 18 patients included in the final analysis were found to have significant tendon lengthening after surgery, with a mean lengthening of 15.9 mm. No significant differences were found in overall lengthening between the traditional and accelerated rehabilitation groups (15.3 ± 4.5 vs 16.4 ± 4.7 mm, respectively;

CONCLUSION: This study's findings demonstrate that all patients undergoing operative repair of Achilles tendon ruptures had lengthening after surgery. No difference was found in tendon lengthening (repair site or intratendinous) at any time point between patients undergoing traditional versus accelerated rehabilitation postoperatively. The greatest amount of lengthening was found to occur between 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively, and tendon lengthening decreased significantly after 6 weeks.

Comments

REGISTRATION: NCT04050748 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

PubMed ID

32203675

Volume

48

Issue

7

First Page

1720

Last Page

1726