Logo of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Br)
Quick search:        
          Advanced Search
Guest Access | Sign In
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 88-B, Issue 1, 69-77.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.88B1.16549  
Copyright © 2006 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow FrenchSpanishGermanItalianRomanianPolishRussianCzech
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (11)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Costa, M. L.
Right arrow Articles by Donell, S. T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Costa, M. L.
Right arrow Articles by Donell, S. T.

Randomised controlled trials of immediate weight-bearing mobilisation for rupture of the tendo Achillis

M. L. Costa, PhD, FRCS Orth, Honorary Lecturer in Orthopaedics1; K. MacMillan, MCSP, Senior Physiotherapist2; D. Halliday, MCSP, Senior Physiotherapist2; R. Chester, MSc, Lecturer in Physiotherapy3; L. Shepstone, PhD, Reader in Medical Statistics4; A. H. N. Robinson, FRCS Orth, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon5; and S. T. Donell, MD, FRCS Orth, Honorary Reader in Orthopaedics4

1 School of Medicine
3 Department of Physiotherapy
3 School of Allied Health Professionals
4 School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, Norfolk, UK.
5 Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 3QQ, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr M. L. Costa; e-mail: mattcosta{at}hotmail.com

We performed two independent, randomised, controlled trials in order to assess the potential benefits of immediate weight-bearing mobilisation after rupture of the tendo Achillis. The first trial, on operatively-treated patients showed an improved functional outcome for patients mobilised fully weight-bearing after surgical repair. Two cases of re-rupture in the treatment group suggested that careful patient selection is required as patients need to follow a structured rehabilitation regimen. The second trial, on conservatively-treated patients, provided no evidence of a functional benefit from immediate weight-bearing mobilisation. However, the practical advantages of immediate weight-bearing did not predispose the patients to a higher complication rate. In particular, there was no evidence of tendon lengthening or a higher re-rupture rate. We would advocate immediate weight-bearing mobilisation for the rehabilitation of all patients with rupture of the tendo Achillis.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Bone Joint Surg BrHome page
L. Klenerman
The early history of tendo Achillis and its rupture
J Bone Joint Surg Br, April 1, 2007; 89-B(4): 545 - 547.
[Full Text] [PDF]


(c) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery All Rights Reserved
Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General