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Early weight-bearing improves early function after surgery for Achilles tendon rupture
No reruptures seen at 26 weeks in early weight-bearing patients or those who did not bear weight.
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TORONTO — Patients who completed a rehabilitation protocol involving early, protected weight-bearing after surgery for Achilles tendon rupture showed better functional and quality of life scores during the early postoperative period, a prospective study found.
In addition, early weight-bearing did not increase the rate of rerupture, the study authors noted.
Nadr Jomha, FRCS(c), PhD, and colleagues randomly assigned 110 patients to undergo either weight-bearing as tolerated or no weight-bearing beginning on the 2-week postoperative follow-up evaluation.
Jomha presented the study results in a presentation here at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 23rd Annual Summer Meeting.
"To measure compliance, we designed a 'cheater meter,' which is a pressure sensor slipped into the bottom of the ankle foot orthosis and a counter is mounted on the side of the brace," Jomha said.
At 6 weeks, the early weight-bearing group had significantly better Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores for physical function, social function, emotional role function and vitality. However, by 12 weeks follow-up, only SF-36 social functioning scores remained significantly better among patients in the early weight-bearing group.
At 26 weeks follow-up, investigators found no significant differences in SF-36 dimensions between the two groups, and both groups showed a similar rate of recovery, according to the study.
"There were no reruptures in either group," Jomha said. "There were two major complications in the non-weight-bearing group and another [minor] complication in both groups, with no significant differences. Most of these resolved on their own."
For more information:
- Nadr M. Jomha, FRCS(c), PhD, can be reached at the University of Alberta Hospital, 8440-112 St., 2D2.32 WMC, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada; 780-407-2816; njomha@ualberta.ca. He has no financial conflicts to disclose.
- Jomha NM, Suchak A, Beaupre L, et al. A prospective, randomized trial comparing early weight bearing vs. non-weight bearing after Achilles tendon rupture. Presented at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 23rd Annual Summer Meeting. July 13-15, 2007. Toronto.