Correlation Between Recovery of Triceps Surae Muscle Strength and Level of Activity After Open Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine whether physical findings reflecting triceps surae strength recovery could predict return to activities such as jogging and sports and whether patients' age and sex would influence recovery of triceps surae strength postoperatively.

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2013, 96 consecutive cases of postoperative acute Achilles tendon rupture were reviewed. The postoperative triceps surae strength recovery rate was investigated in all patients by using half body weight 1-time heel rise, full body weight (FBW) 1-time heel rise, FBW 20-time heel rise, jogging, and full return to sports activities. Influence of age and sex on triceps surae strength recovery was also investigated.

RESULTS

FBW 1-time heel rise and jogging were achieved at an average of 14 weeks (range, 6-24 weeks) and 15 weeks (range, 8-25 weeks) postoperatively, respectively. FBW 20-time heel rise and full return to sports activities were achieved at a mean of 21 weeks (range, 12-29 weeks) and 22 weeks (range, 13-29 weeks) postoperatively, respectively. Ability to perform FBW 1-time heel rise was directly related to resilience of jogging capability ( R2 = 0.317, P < 0.001), and ability to perform FBW 20-time heel rise was related to full return to sports activities ( R2 = 0.508, P < 0.001). Time to heel rise was not correlated with patient age or sex.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative ability to perform FBW 1-time heel rise in patients postoperatively was directly related to resilience of jogging, and ability to perform FBW 20-time heel rise was directly related to full return to sports activities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.