TY  - BOOK
AU  - Akman, Jennifer L
AU  - Fillar, Allison L
AU  - Gould, Heath
TI  - Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Achilles Tendon Repair: A Systematic Review
SN  - 1062-8592
PY  - 2021///
KW  - IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXED
KW  - MedStar National Rehabilitation Network
KW  - MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
KW  - Orthopaedic Surgery
KW  - Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
KW  - Journal Article
N1  - Available online from MWHC library: 2001 - present
N2  - The optimal postoperative management of Achilles tendon (AT) rupture remains unknown. The past 2 decades have witnessed a trend toward less rigid immobilization, earlier weightbearing, and accelerated functional rehabilitation postoperatively. The objective of this study was to identify all high-quality studies pertaining to rehabilitation after AT repair and characterize the various rehabilitation protocols that have been described. A systematic review of the English-language literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. All included studies represented level 1, 2, or 3 evidence and examined postoperative rehabilitation protocols following the repair of an acute AT rupture. A total of 1187 subjects were included. Surgical technique, rehabilitation protocol, and outcome assessment varied widely between studies. Early postoperative weightbearing with less rigid immobilization appears to accelerate short-term functional recovery. An aggressive rehabilitation program may also be advantageous in the short term, but further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of these accelerated physical therapy and return-to-play protocols. Copyright (c) 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
UR  - https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JSA.0000000000000309
ER  -