Achilles SpeedBridge™ Repair – Speeding Up the Return-to-Sport

By Tyler Meyers PT, DPT

Those who follow the NFL have recently become more aware of a procedure being implemented to cut down the recovery time following an Achilles rupture. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the New York Jets, suffered a significant Achilles injury four plays into the first game of the season. Commonly an injury of this magnitude would hold out a player for the rest of the season with the primary goal of recovery being a full return to the field for the next season. However, following completion of the surgery to repair his Achilles there was discussion about the possibility of him returning for the playoffs which is in four months’ time. Following a standard Achilles repair the typical time frame for return is 9-12 months, so how is a return to field in 4 months possible?

A novel procedure developed by Arthrex is being utilized for Achilles tendon repairs that has yielded positive results thus far in both repair strength and a quicker return-to-sport. The surgical technique is named Achilles PARS SutureTape with Achilles Midsubstance SpeedBridge Implant System. The unique characteristics of this repair allows for full weight-bearing in the boot at around two weeks without wedges compared to eight weeks following a traditional Achilles repair. The concern with this rapid return to weight-bearing is the strength of the repair holding up to earlier loading. Arthrex has completed research to assess the gap formation and ultimate tensile load of the SpeedBridge technique compared to the Krackow technique (more traditional). The Krackow technique had an ultimate load of 284 ± 115N compared to the SpeedBridge technique which had 386 ± 117N. For more information on the surgical technique please visit: https://www.arthrex.com/resources/AN1-00073-EN/achilles-midsubstance-speedbridge-implant-system?referringteam=foot_and_ankle

The ability of the faster progression to weight-bearing allows for the entirety of the rehabilitation protocol to progress at a faster rate. The rehabilitation protocol is subject to vary depending on individual patient presentation, but the expected progression to the sport-specific phase is around the 4-month mark for the SpeedBridge compared to 6+ months for a more traditional Achilles repair. This accelerated timeline is the reason why Aaron Rodgers would have the possibility to return to the field for the playoffs.

For more information on rehabilitation following an Achilles tendon rupture please contact us at (719)-344-9497.

References

1) Arthrex, Inc. Data on file (APT 3745). Naples, FL. 2018.

2) Arthrex, Inc. Achilles Midsubstance SpeedBridge™ System vs. Krackow for Midsubstance Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair. Arthrex Research and Development. 2017