Managing Achilles tendon ruptures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures using an acceleated, functional management programme - the patients' perspective.
IRAS ID
263945
Contact name
Emma J Fenlon
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Title: A review of acute Achilles tendon rupture patients’ outcomes in relation to the introduction of new accelerated functional guidelines and an exploration of how patients’ perceive, understand and explain their experience.
Despite being the strongest tendon in the body rupture of the Achilles tendon is a very common injury. The management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures however remains controversial but there has been a significant shift away from surgical intervention towards implementing conservative, accelerated, functional programmes.
At the District General Hospital where the is employed new guidelines incorporating accelerated, functional rehabilitation programmes were introduced in March 2018. These incorporated the introduction of surgical criteria based upon ultrasound scan findings using a gap of greater than 10mm as a threshold beyond which operative management is considered.
The remit of this study is:
1. To review Achilles tendon rupture patients’ outcomes in relation to the introduction of the new accelerated guidelines and in comparison to other foot and ankle centres that have published similar data. The results will add further evidence to advocate or refute the effectiveness of an accelerated, functional conservative approach.
2. To gain an understanding of how patients’ perceive, understand and explain their experience of sustaining and rehabilitating from an Achilles tendon rupture.
3. To identify ways in which the hospital service and pathway can be further improved or developed.The study will utilise a mixed method design combining quantitative and qualitative elements. The quantitative element will be a descriptive, longitudinal (four and nine months), exploratory study. The standard clinic outcome measures routinely taken at four and nine months (Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score and Achilles Tendon Repair Score) will be reviewed and data relating to complications analysed.
For the qualitative section data will be collected using semi-structured interviews undertaken at the patients’ standard nine-month review.
Participants will be recruited from patients presenting at the Achilles tendon rupture clinic and will only be required to attend their standard follow up appointments. There are no funding implications.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0602
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion