Operative Treatment
Operative treatment is an option in patients with acute achilles tendon rupture.

Rationale
To answer this recommendation, we reviewed studies addressing the efficacy of operative treatment. A systematic review of the literature included eight studies20, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32that addressed the efficacy of open repair and six studies33, 29, 34, 21, 27, 31,  addressing the efficacy of minimally invasive techniques. This systematic review addressed only the efficacy of operative treatment and therefore did not consider the comparisons made in the studies.  Please refer to Recommendation 3 and its rationale for a comparison of non-operative and operative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.  In addition, relevant comparative information about operative techniques can be found in Recommendation 8 and its rationale.

A systematic review of the literature included eight studies20, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32 that addressed the efficacy of open repair and six studies33, 29, 34, 21, 27, 31 addressing the efficacy of minimally invasive techniques. By six months the return to activity ranged from 73% to 100% after operative treatment. After twelve months, 92% of patients reported they had no pain.

All studies relevant to this Recommendation were Level IV because this is non comparative data.