Clinical efficacy of Achilles tendon stretching combined with early weight-bearing on patients with Achilles tendon rupture

Zhang Xiaofang; Jing Zhuzi; Yi Qian

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-4237.2025.05.011

Abstract：Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of a combined training of Achilles tendon stretching and early weight-bearing on patients with Achilles tendon rupture.Methods A total of 104 patients(62 males and 42 females aged 20-40 years,33.2 years on average)who underwent surgical repair for Achilles tendon rupture were prospectively selected from Jan.2020 to Jun.2023 in our hospital.Among them,58 cases affected the left side and 46 the right,with 32 injured by running,39 by jumping and 33 by others.Patients were randomly divided into com-bination group and control group(n=52 for each group).The control group received routine rehabilitation and early weight-bearing training,while the combination group received additional Achilles tendon stretching.The total effec-tive rate,ankle joint function,ankle joint range of motion,living status,and complications were compared.Results Three months after the treatment,the total effective rate of the combination group was greatly higher than that of the control group(94.2%vs.65.4%,P＜0.05).Moreover,the combination group showed much higher Achilles tendon rupture scores(66.1±7.7 vs.57.4±6.1),relative Achilles tendon resting angle(7.6°±0.9° vs.5.2°±0.7°),AOFAS ankle hindfoot scale scores(91.6±8.8 vs.80.2±8.5),ankle dorsiflexion range of motion(34.1°±3.6° vs.31.5°±3.2°),and plantar flexion range of motion(38.0°±3.9° vs.35.5°±3.7°),all revealing significant difference compared with the control group(all P＜0.05).Besides,the activity of daily living(71.9±8.4 vs.62.8±7.1)and SF-36 scores(74.3±8.3 vs.65.2±7.3)were much better in the combination group(both P＜0.05),and the incidence of complications such as pain and muscle atrophy was much lower(3.8%vs.19.2%,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined training of Achilles tendon stretching and early weight-bearing following surgical repair significantly improves functional recovery and quality of life in patients with Achilles tendon rupture,showing ideal therapeutic outcomes and high clinical applicability.