Achilles Tendon Rupture — Non-Operative

Saint Louis University (SLU) · Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery

Weight-Bearing

NWB on crutches wks 0-2; WBAT using crutches wks 2-4; wean crutches wks 4-6; FWB wk 6+

Key Restrictions

Plaster cast/rigid boot with foot in 20 deg PF and 3 wedges (22/16/10 mm); remove wedges progressively; wear boot 24 hrs/day; no running until 12 wks; no plyometrics until 16 wks

Timeline & Phases

6 phases: Phase I REST (0-2 wks), Phase II Easy Walking (2-4 wks), Phase III Active Recovery (4-6 wks), Phase IV Strengthening (6-10 wks), Phase V Sport Prep (10-16 wks), Phase VI Return to Sport (16+ wks)

Notes

.edu site; non-operative protocol; wedge system for progressive DF; gentle supervised PF exercises at wk 2; return to sport criteria: full ROM, 90% strength, sport-specific drills completed

Surgeon / Author

Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery