[Early functional after-care of surgically treated fresh ruptures of the Achilles tendon]

Functional treatment regimens in favour of the idea of keeping up regular limited use of the extremities instead of immobilisation have continuously gained influence in orthopedic surgery. The knowledge that inconsistently used biological systems degenerate has now widely become accepted. Immediate Achilles tendon tension reconstruction by means of minimal surgical incision and simple suture in addition with fibrin-glue was performed in 51 patients. Age, sex-distribution, etiology, preexisting pain, rate of degenerative histologic findings and side of rupture were similar to those reported in former studies with large numbers of patients [2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13]. Non weightbearing functional walking in a side supported "basketball" sports shoe (Adimed) with gradually reduced heel support (initially 3 cm; complete removal regaining neutral position of the ankle joint after 4 weeks) was advised for 6 weeks, after acute postop swelling has resolved. All tendons healed and up to now (follow up period: 14-48 months - average: 26) no rerupture occurred. One insufficiency resulted from non compliance due to alcoholism.