Help for an Achilles Injury

A ruptured Achilles tendon is often reattached with surgery, but that’s not the only option. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who skipped surgery in favor of rehab therapy had similar outcomes in terms of regaining their strength and jumping ability. The difference between the two treatments, then, is the risk. Researchers showed that patients who underwent surgery were more likely to sustain nerve injuries related to the procedure, whereas rehab patients had a higher chance of re-rupture. Any surgery comes with the additional risks of excessive bleeding, infection and blood clots, so if you have the misfortune to rupture your Achilles, talk to a specialist about going the rehab route.