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Could Conservative Treatment Become the New Gold Standard in Achilles Tendon Ruptures?

NCT07312097 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2025-12-31

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study aims to compare conservative and surgical treatments for acute Achilles tendon rupture. Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to either a conservative rehabilitation protocol or open surgical repair. Functional outcomes were evaluated using isokinetic muscle strength testing and clinical scoring systems such as the ATRS, AOFAS, FADI, VAS, and Leppilahti scores.

The results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of strength, tendon length, or clinical outcomes. Rerupture rates were similar, while wound complications occurred only in the surgical group.

The findings suggest that conservative treatment combined with early functional rehabilitation can provide outcomes comparable to surgery, with fewer complications. Conservative treatment may be a safe and effective alternative for managing acute Achilles tendon ruptures.

Conditions

  • Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

Interventions

OTHER

Conservative treatment

Participants follow the GAPNOT functional rehabilitation protocol. Initially immobilized in maximum plantar flexion with non-weight-bearing. At 2 weeks partial weight-bearing is allowed with an Achilles boot and heel lifts; by weeks 4-6 weight-bearing is increased and supervised physiotherapy is initiated focusing on plantar flexion strength, calf strengthening and ankle range of motion. Outcomes assessed at 12-18 months by isokinetic testing and clinical scores.

PROCEDURE

Surgical Repair

Participants undergo open end-to-end Achilles tendon repair using the locked Krackow suture technique with 2-0 FiberWire and epitendinous augmentation. Postoperatively, standardized early functional rehabilitation is applied including gradual weight-bearing, ankle mobilization and physiotherapy focused on plantar flexion strength and ROM. Outcomes assessed at 12-18 months by isokinetic testing and clinical scores.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Haseki Training and Research Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-08-20
Primary Completion
2024-02-20
Completion
2024-12-20

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

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 NCT07312097 on ClinicalTrials.gov