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Study finds no difference between surgical and nonsurgical treatment for Achilles tendon rupture
Nilsson-Helander K. Am J Sports Med. doi: 10.1177/0363546510376052
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The authors of this study attempted to find a consensus on the optimal treatment for acute Achilles tendon ruptures. The randomized control level 1 study, evaluated 97 patients, 79 men and 18 women, with a mean age of 41 years who had acute Achilles tendon rupture. Were randomized to receive operative or nonoperative treatment and followed for 1 year post-treatment, with a primary end point of re-rupture. Patients were evaluated using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), functional tests, and clinical examination at 6 and 12 months after injury.
Overall, they found a 12% re-re-rupture rate in the nonsurgical group and a $5 rate in the surgical group (P = .377). They wrote, “The mean 6- and 12-month ATRS were 72 and 88 points in the surgical group and 71 and 86 points in the nonsurgical group, respectively. Improvements in ATRS between 6 and 12 months were significant for both groups, with no significant between-group differences.”
They concluded that results of this study did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between surgical and nonsurgical treatment. Furthermore, the study suggests that early mobilization is beneficial for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture whether they are treated surgically or nonsurgically.