FUNCTIONAL TREATMENT OF ACUTE ACHILLES-TE NDON RUPTURE - 2-YEARS FOLLOW-UP RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY

Ultrasonography and MRI are highly reliable and reproducible methods o f determining the separation of a ruptured Achilles tendon and the deg ree of tendon repair in the course of healing. While MRI is expensive, it can be restricted to research and special indications. In a random ized trial a operative treatment and a conservative/functional treatme nt with a newly developed boot were compared in 50 patients (22 of who m underwent operative treatment and 28, conservative treatment). In th is trial there were no significant differences either in the functiona l results or in the course of healing. Functional treatment in both gr oups allowed shorter periods of rehabilitation, and acceptance of the boot was particularly high in all patients.