Factors That Affect Return to Sports After an Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

Background: Achilles tendon rupture is common among physically active individuals, yet a high percentage fail to return to their former activity after the injury. Quantifiable factors such as type of treatment, hours of rehabilitation, and age have not been associated with return-to-play rates. A factor that influences recovery is the participant’s experience before and throughout the rehabilitation process, which can be explored using a qualitative content analysis. Purpose: To explore and describe what influences the participant to return to physical activity after an Achilles tendon rupture. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Twenty participants (14 men; mean age, 46 years) were interviewed as part of this study. All participants had ruptured their Achilles tendon 4 to 6 years before the interviews. From the interviews, codes were extracted that evolved into 19 subcategories, 6 categories, and 1 theme. Results: The overarching theme that emerged was “Help me and then I can fix this.” The 6 categories were (1) one’s own drive to succeed, (2) having a supportive social network, (3) trusting the support from the health and social systems, (4) receiving and adapting information from others drives persistence in returning to activity, (5) impact of the injury on psychological factors; and (6) influence of physiological aspects. Conclusion: To be able to recover properly from an Achilles tendon rupture and return to activity, the study participants described the importance of obtaining the support needed to be able to gain optimal rehabilitation. In the participants’ opinion, for a greater chance of successful treatment and rehabilitation, it was vital to be provided with good support.

Postoperative Return to Play and the Role of Imaging

“…Ultimately, no consensus exists regarding optimal management for Achilles ruptures in the general population. 6 35 38 41 45 Although a randomized controlled trial comparing nonoperative treatment, open repair, and minimally invasive repair found minimal differences in the Achilles Total Rupture Score between operative and nonoperative groups, this result likely does not fully encapsulate the performance expectations and demands of the athlete. 42 Therefore, in the athlete, surgical repair is sought to minimize the risk of rerupture and provide the best approximation of preinjury tendon function.…”