Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatment: Operative Versus Nonoperative

Abstract

Acute Achilles tendon ruptures are common injuries with increasing incidence. Management of acute ruptures is controversial. Early evidence suggested that nonoperative treatment led to a significantly higher rerupture rate; however, operative modalities have also been shown to have a higher risk of wound complications. Advances in therapeutic protocols have normalized the rerupture rate between operative and nonoperative modalities, and many have recommended nonoperative treatment becuase of the mitigated complication profile. The purpose of this review is to report contemporary management of Achilles tendon ruptures and provide our preferred technique of management.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.