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Plaster Room
Outpatients Department
Colchester Hospital
CO4 5JL
Tel: 01206 742 199

Treatment advice following a rupture of the Achilles tendon

A full cast is applied in the Emergency Department. This is strictly non-weight bearing, for a period of two weeks.

After two weeks, an orthopaedic specialist will examine your foot in the Outpatient Department.

An Aircast boot will then be fitted, with three or four heel wedges to keep your foot in the desired position. This boot will be fully weight bearing with crutches, as comfort allows. It must be worn at all times, including at night, and removed only to change your sock and to allow careful skincare in the toes pointed position.

You should remove a single wedge every two weeks. The bottom wedge is the one to be removed. This should be done gradually over the course of the day because there will be soreness and stiffness. Do not force your foot onto the wedge but take your time because the ankle could be stiff.

You will have an outpatient follow-up appointment for two weeks after all the wedges have been removed (10–12 weeks after the boot fitting). The boot can then be replaced by a normal shoe with a heel raise insert to help prevent stress on the Achilles tendon. You will be referred to the Physiotherapy Department, where staff will guide you through the rehabilitation process.

During treatment you should ensure you bend and straighten your knee to prevent stiffness, as well as elevating the limb with your foot at heart height, or higher, to prevent swelling. If at any time it becomes very painful, stop weight bearing and rest the limb, because you may be doing too much on it.

If the pain does not subside, contact the Outpatient Department for an urgent appointment with your orthopaedic consultant or, if out of normal working hours, attend the Emergency Department.

If there are any technical difficulties with the boot, contact the Plaster Room.

If you need elbow crutches and have not been provided with any already, ask your GP to refer you to the Physiotherapy Department.

Useful numbers at Colchester Hospital

Plaster Room, Outpatient Department 01206 742 199
Physiotherapy Department 01206 742 550

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