ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR

August 13, 2018

POST OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

• Posterior splint for 14 days
• NWB with crutches

WEEKS 2-6

• NWB weightbearing ambulation with crutches in walking boot. May remove boot for ROM exercise.
• Active inversion and eversion ROM
• Active dorsiflexion to neutral; passive plantar flexion
• Stationary cycling with minimal resistance (anterior foot placement)

WEEKS 6-12

• Progress to FWB in walking boot
• Discontinue walking boot 2 weeks after FWB
• Use heel cups for 2 weeks after discontinue walking boot
• Progressive resistance Theraband ankle strengthening exercises
• Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercises
• Single leg standing balance activities
• Active bilateral heel raises
• Initiate passive heel cord stretching
• Bilateral to unilateral standing, heel raise exercises
• Stationary cycling with progressive resistance (standard foot placement)
• Progressive depth (30° to 90° knee flexion flat-footed mini-squats
• Progressive retrograde treadmill ambulation
• “Flat-Footed” single leg balance
• BAPs “Level 1-2-3” (seated PWB progressed to FWB standing)
• “On-Toes” standing balance/proprioception activities on mini-trampoline
• Progressive duration/velocity Stairmaster ambulation
• Lateral sliding board maneuvers

3-6 MONTHS

• Stationary jogging and jumping on mini-trampoline
• Straight ahead jog-to-run progression on a level surface
• Progressive acuity cutting agility maneuvers
• Large-to-small Figure of 8 agility maneuvers
• Sport/Position specific functional activities
• Running and agility maneuvers on progressive incline/decline surfaces
• Discharged to normal activities when cleared by doctor