Feasibility of an early progressive resistance exercise program for acute Achilles tendon rupture-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Feasibility of an early progressive resistance exercise program for acute Achilles tendon rupture

Published:2023-06-14 Issue: Volume: Page:
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Author:

Christensen Marianne¹^ORCID,Silbernagel Karin Grävare²,Zellers Jennifer A³,Kjær Inge Lunding⁴,Rathleff Michael Skovdal⁵

Affiliation:

1. Aalborg University Hospital

2. : University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy

3. : Washington University in St Louis Program in Physical Therapy

4. Aalborg University Hospital: Interdiciplinary Orthopaedics

5. Aalborg University Department of Health Science and Technology: Aalborg Universitet Institut for Medicin og Sundhedsteknologi

Abstract

Abstract Background Long-term strength deficits are common after Achilles tendon ruptures. Early use of progressive resistance exercises may help reduce strength deficits, but the feasibility of this approach is unknown. The aim was to investigate the feasibility of early progressive resistance exercises regarding patient acceptability and compliance with the intervention. Methods We recruited patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture treated non-surgically. During 9 weeks of immobilisation with a walking boot, participants attended weekly supervised physiotherapy sessions of progressive resistance exercises and performed home exercises, consisting of isometric ankle plantarflexion, seated heel-rise, and elastic band exercises. Acceptability was evaluated using a 7-point Likert scale (1=very unacceptable and 7=very acceptable) with feasibility threshold at 80% of the participants rating ≥4. Adherence to the exercises was defined as 80% of the participants performing at least 50% of the home exercises. During the intervention, tendon healing and adverse events were monitored. Results 16 participants [mean age 46 (range 28-61), male/female = 13/3] completed the intervention. Pre-injury Achilles tendon total rupture score was 98 (SD 8). All participants rated the acceptability of the exercises ≥5 (moderate acceptable to very acceptable) at 9- and 13-weeks follow-up and 9/16 rated 7 points (very acceptable). Participants performed 74% (range 4-117) of the total home exercise sessions possible and 15/16 performed >50%. One participant was not compliant with the home exercises due to feeling uncomfortable performing these independently There were no re-ruptures, but one case of deep venous thrombosis. Conclusions The early progressive resistance exercise program for treatment of non-surgically treated Achilles tendon rupture was feasible. Future studies should investigate the efficacy of the progressive intervention. Trial registration The study was registered at Clinical Trials (NCT04121377) on the 29th of September 2019 ClinicalTrials:NCT04121377

Publisher

Research Square Platform LLC

Reference46 articles.

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