Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: An Update on Current Management Strategies

Acute rupture of the Achilles tendon is a frequently encountered injury that occurs most commonly in people who participate in recreational athletics into their thirties and forties. For many years, the injury has been treated either nonsurgically or surgically using a standard open approach. More recently, a variety of new surgical techniques have emerged in the literature aiming to improve surgical outcomes while decreasing the potential complications associated with standard open repair. Nonsurgical treatment plans using early weight bearing and accelerated functional rehabilitation have also proven to be excellent management options. Achilles rupture treatment plans can include the use of orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma, with mixed results. Accelerated functional rehabilitation protocols have shown to improve patient outcomes, whether used in conjunction with surgery or nonsurgical management modalities, and reduce the disparity between the injured tendon and the native Achilles.