Does an acute Achilles tendon rupture become a patient's Achilles heel in the long-term?
Abstract
It is unknown if deficits in the involved limb following acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) persist in the long-term, or differ between patients treated operatively or non-operatively. This study investigated 43 patients 15±1 years post-AATR from a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared operative and non-operative treatment. Structural characteristics in the Achilles tendon and surrounding musculature were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. We also performed physical examinations and evaluated performance-based and patient-reported outcomes. Overall, there were substantial differences between the involved and uninvolved limbs in most outcomes. Some outcomes improved over time from the initial RCT to the final follow-up, while others deteriorated. No outcomes favoured operative over non-operative treatment.