ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE
Achilles Tendon Rupture Post-Op Rehabilitation Protocol:
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This protocol provides you with general guidelines for rehabilitation after Achilles rupture repair.
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Specific changes in the program will be made by your physician as appropriate for each individual patient.
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Each individual heals at a different rate. It may take up to 12 months to make a full recovery, and it is not unusual to have intermittent aches and pains throughout the course of your rehabilitation.
Instructions For Patients:
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Non-weightbearing in a short leg splint the first 2 weeks after surgery
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There is a risk of re-rupture throughout the post-operative course and you should not attempt to put pressure on the operative site until you are cleared to do you by your surgeon
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Sutures are typically removed at 2 weeks
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You will be given a walking boot with heel wedges at your first postoperative visit
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Depending upon the complexity of your surgery, you may transition into removable walking boot 2 weeks after surgery
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Once you begin weightbearing in walking boot you will remove 1 heel wedge each week, this will be explained to you in detail at your first postoperative visit
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Physical therapy will start at 2-4 weeks post op
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You may begin driving at 8-12 weeks after surgery depending upon your progression
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Note: It is illegal to drive while wearing a walking boot
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Patients typically transition to regular shoe wear with heel lift between 6-10 weeks
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At 12 weeks you can begin gentle higher impact activities
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It may take up to 12 months to make a full recovery, and it is not unusual to have intermittent aches and pains throughout the course of your rehabilitation
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Once you can perform a single heel rise or single leg hop, you may able return to sports and other high impact activities. This may take between 6 months to 1 year depending upon the complexity of your fracture and your progression during rehabilitation