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Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatment - Postcode Lottery?

Posted , 24 users are following.

david97308
david97308

Hi All,

First time poster here.

I wanted to find out a little more about various NHS trusts treatment of Achilles Tendon Rupture (ATR).  I'm especially interested as I get the feeling the treatment on offer to me is not optimal and I wonder if I'm the victim of being under the wrong trust.  One that is trying to save costs.

My Background : 44 yo male, healthy and fit, with suspected ATR.  currently 3 weeks in short leg cast.

I have an Ultrasound tomorrow (4 weeks after incident).  No Surgery being offered at all, Consultant says they only provide conservative treatment with cast as surgery gives to many risks. Treatment is 3x3 weeks of short leg casts, final cast is 90 degree to floor. It seems no load to be applied at all during this time.

My main concerns are :-

(1) Risk of re-rupture seems to be on average 20% with non surgical option.

(2) 1 in 3 patients on non surgical never recover function fully.

(3) No option of Airboot being offered to me.

(4) Various studies show that early restricted mobilisation of ankle in non surgical option reduces chance of RR to same levels as surgical.  This will obviously not be available if I'm in cast for 9 weeks.

(5) I don't see how I can be offered a set treatment path prior to Ultrasound.

I've never heard of 3x3 weeks cast only option.  What are you being offered?  I'm absolutely not going to settle for walking with a limp or a weakened leg because my trust are watching their pennies.  I will be taking a private second opnion but also wanted to hear your thoughts?

Thanks

David.

 

1 like, 109 replies

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  • A._Chassum
    A._Chassum david97308

    Posted

    I went there on to AnE on Thursday Morning...They saw me an offered me a fracture scan on the same day! I got refered to the fracture clinic for a next day appointment with the specialists who explained my treatment options... I was given a operation date of Saturday but it was cancelled twice and eventually I was operated on thursday. It took7 days from AnE to operation. Pretty happy
  • jonathan28999
    jonathan28999 david97308

    Posted

    Hi. I am due to go back to the hospital Monday to hopefully get the boot removed. I just wondered whether people were just expected to walk out. I worry about trying to walk on the leg again. Do they just tell you to walk, do they expect you to use a crutch still, do they tape/bandage the leg etc?

    Any help would be great.

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