
Sports Medicine
Mobilization vs. immobilization rehabilitation after an acute Achilles tendon rupture
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2016 Jun;24(6):1852-97 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis comparing functional mobilization and immobilization rehabilitation techniques for patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of controlled early motion (n=3 RCTs), controlled early weight-bearing (n=1 RCT), and the combined effect of controlled early motion and early weight-bearing (n=3 RCTs) in this patient population. Outcomes included re-rupture rates, complication rates, strength, the range of motion, duration of sick leave, return to sport after one year, and overall patient satisfaction. Findings indicated that all measured outcomes were statistically comparable between mobilization and immobilization rehabilitation techniques. However, additional trials are needed to increase the volume of high-quality evidence available and strengthen the findings from the evidence.
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