Achilles Tendon Rupture Patient Outcomes at 12 Months

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Conditions studied: Achilles Tendon Rupture

In brief

Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury that can significantly impact strength, function, and quality of life. While non-surgical management using structured rehabilitation protocols such as the Swansea Morriston Achilles Rupture Treatment (SMART) protocol is increasingly adopted, there is limited evidence on long-term recovery outcomes, particularly beyond six months. This study aims to evaluate recovery at 12-15 months following non-surgical management of Achilles tendon rupture in an NHS population. Participants will attend a single study visit during which plantarflexor muscle strength will be assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, and patient-reported outcomes will be collected using the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Achilles Tendon Resting Angle (ATRA) will also be measured to provide an estimate of tendon elongation. The primary objectives are to quantify plantarflexor strength recovery and self-reported functional outcomes. Secondary analyses will explore associations between strength, tendon elongation, quality of life, return to sport, and pre-injury symptoms. This cross-sectional observational study will recruit adult patients managed non-surgically with the SMART protocol from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Findings will provide clinically relevant data on long-term recovery following conservative treatment and may inform rehabilitation strategies and return-to-activity decision-making.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT07391553
Run by: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
People needed: 115
Starts: 2026-10-01
Expected to finish: 2029-01-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-07-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Aged 18 years or older at the time of recruitment
Have a confirmed diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture, diagnosed clinically and recorded within the NHS clinical database
Have been managed non-surgically using the SMART (Swansea Morriston Achilles Rupture Treatment) rehabilitation protocol
Be between 12 and 15 months post-injury at the time of study assessment
Be able and willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if…

Unable to provide informed consent
Have previously undergone surgical repair of the Achilles tendon or experienced a re-rupture
Have a neuromuscular or neurological condition that could affect lower limb strength or function
Did not follow the SMART rehabilitation protocol for non-surgical management
Have a history of Achilles tendinopathy or rupture in the contralateral (uninjured) limb
Are unable to tolerate isokinetic strength testing due to pain, discomfort, or other medical reasons

Where it is running

Broadgreen Hospital Physiotherapy department — Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Aintree University Hospital Therapies department — Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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