ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide the reader with a perspective on the causes and consequences of acute and chronic Achilles tendon ruptures and the various treatments available. The combination of non-surgical treatment and functional rehabilitation demonstrated similar outcomes to surgically treated patients with even greater patient satisfaction. Non-surgical treatment has evolved from 4-9 weeks of cast immobilisation towards the use of early functional rehabilitation with functional bracing for early motion and protected early weight-bearing. Several studies show that there is no significant difference in the clinically important parameters for patients who underwent surgical or non-surgical treatments provided the accelerated rehabilitation protocol is indicated and followed correctly. Several studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that the combination of initial non-surgical treatment followed by functional rehabilitation allows for improved healed tendon strength, better range of motion, and patients being more satisfied when compared with surgically treated patients.
