Table 1.
0–3 weeks | Range of motion: 20° of plantar flexion and 10° of dorsiflexion |
3–6 weeks | Gentle isometric, eccentric, and concentric exercises with flexion |
Extension of the toes | |
Full plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle to neutral in a supine position | |
Extension of the knee in a sitting position | |
Flexion of the knee in a prone position | |
Extension of the hip in a prone position | |
6–10 weeks | Resistance exercises |
Rotation of the ankles | |
Standing on the toes and heels | |
Ankle stretching exercises for calf muscles, toes, and ankle | |
Balance and proprioception exercises on different surface progress from bilateral to unilateral | |
Controlled squats | |
Lunges | |
Bilateral calf raise (progressing to unilateral) | |
Toe raises | |
Controlled slow eccentrics versus body weight | |
10–↑ weeks | Start training jogging/running, jumping and eccentric-loading exercises |
Noncompetitive sporting activities | |
Sports-specific exercises, and return to physically demanding sports and/or work |
Notes: Copyright © 2009, Springer Verlag. Adapted with permission from Doral MN, Bozkurt M, Turhan E, et al. Percutaneous suturing of the ruptured Achilles tendon with endoscopic control. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2009;129(8):1093–1101.14