Achilles Tendon Repair

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Physician Group

Weight-Bearing

TDWB in boot (NWB for Dr. Williams) x 2 wks; WBAT in boot by ~wk 6; wean boot at wks 6-8

Key Restrictions

Boot locked in PF 20-30° x 2 wks; surgeon-specific PF angle progression (Baer vs. Scerpella/Spiker/Williams); no dorsiflexion past neutral x 3 months (Williams patients); avoid forceful PF in dorsiflexed position; no impact until ~4 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-2 wks: TDWB/NWB, boot locked PF) -> Phase II (2-6 wks: WBAT boot, active DF to neutral) -> Phase III (~6-8 wks: wean boot, normalize gait, SLS 10 sec) -> Phase IV (~12 wks: all-surface gait, functional movements) -> Phase V (~4 months: impact + RTS)

Notes

Updated 9/2019; surgeon-specific WB/boot protocols (Baer, Scerpella/Spiker, Williams); RTS based on strength, movement control, balance, and jump/landing mechanics testing; UW Health Sports Medicine, Madison WI

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Physician Group

Published

2019-09-01