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Rehabilitation Programs After Achilles Tendon Rupture

NCT02308618 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 48

Last updated 2026-02-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of early mobilization versus traditional immobilization rehabilitation programs after surgical Achilles tendon repair on the mechanical (torque-angle and torque-velocity relationships) and electrical (neuromuscular activation) properties of the plantar- and dorsiflexor muscles, gastrocnemius medialis morphology (muscle architecture), functional performance, and the mechanical and material properties (force-elongation and stress-strain relationships) of the injured and uninjured Achilles tendon.

The hypothesis is that the early mobilization could reduce the deleterious effects of the joint immobilization and improve the tendon healing.

Conditions

  • Rupture of Achilles Tendon
  • Immobility Response, Tonic
  • Rupture, Spontaneous

Interventions

OTHER

Traditional Immobilization

After surgery subjects were immobilized in a plaster cast, with the ankle positioned in gravitational equinus; weight bearing was not allowed. Two weeks post-operatively, the cast was removed and the patient was immobilized with a new plaster cast, with the ankle in the same position. Four weeks post-operatively, the ankle was plastered in neutral position (i.e. with the sole of the foot perpendicular to the shank), and weight bearing was encouraged. Six weeks post-operatively, the plaster cast was removed The home exercise program consisted of active exercises and stretches to improve ankle range of motion, and resistance and balance exercises

OTHER

Early Mobilization

The physical therapy started two weeks after the surgery and lasted six weeks, during which a removable brace was used. Therapy sessions, three times per week in the six-week period, included one to two hours of exercises for regaining range of motion and muscular endurance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.

    collaborator OTHER_GOV

  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

    collaborator OTHER_GOV

  • Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Marco A Vaz, PhD · Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
30 Years
Max Age
60 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2008-03-31
Primary Completion
2014-08-31
Completion
2014-08-31

Countries

  • Brazil

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02308618 on ClinicalTrials.gov