Achilles Tendon Rupture — Repair

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

NWB in splint/boot 0-3 wks; PWB wk 4 (progress 25% BW/wk); FWB by wk 7 in boot; boot D/C wk 8

Key Restrictions

Avoid over-elongation of Achilles; conservative approach for augmentation, re-rupture, revision, chronic tendinosis, obesity, older age, steroid use; wedge weaning: 3 wedges wk 4, 2 wk 5, 1 wk 6, 0 wk 7; no aggressive eccentric loading before 12 wks

Timeline & Phases

5 phases: Phase I (0-3 wks), Phase II (4-6 wks), Phase III (7-9 wks), Phase IV (10-14 wks), Phase V (return to sport); includes return-to-run and agility/plyo programs

Notes

Criterion-based; DF to neutral by wk 6; heel raise endurance test; functional assessment >80% for return to sport; references included. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2026-08-12.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine