Achilles Tendon Rupture Protocol: Are You Rehabbing It Properly?
So we’ve had a lot of new clients in clinic over the last few months who have suffered from an Achilles Tendon Rupture.
Some of these have had surgery and some have been managed conservatively.
And we’ve had a mix of athletes who want to get back to professional sport and everyday people who just want to be able to walk again normally.
Whatever your goals, Achilles Tendon rupture is a big injury that has huge impact on your life.
But I thought it would be a good idea to go through our framework we use for an Achilles Tendon rupture.
There are three major mistakes that can derail Achilles rehab:
- Rushing the Process – Pushing too hard, too soon leads to setbacks or long-term issues with strength and mobility.
- Not Preparing for High-Level Activity – Many rehab plans stop at basic strengthening, without incorporating sport-specific or high-load exercises.
- Lack of Objective Testing – Without regular strength and function testing, you won’t know if you’re actually ready to progress.
If you avoid these mistakes and follow a structured rehab plan, you’ll give yourself the best shot at a full recovery.
The Right Approach to Achilles Rehab
At Peak Health Physiotherapy, we focus on progressive, evidence-based rehab to make sure you regain full strength, mobility, and confidence in your movement.
Here’s how we do it:
Early Phase (0-6 Weeks) – Protect & Activate
- Controlled weight-bearing in a boot with a heel wedge to protect the tendon.
- Isometric calf contractions to maintain muscle activation without stressing the repair.
- Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) to slow muscle loss and keep strength up.
- Proximal strength work (hips and core) to maintain overall function.
Mid Phase (6-12 Weeks) – Load Progression & Mobility
- Gradual weight-bearing progression to encourage tendon adaptation.
- Careful ankle mobility work, keeping dorsiflexion within safe limits.
- Seated heel raises and resistance band work to build strength.
- Gait retraining to improve movement quality and prevent compensations.
Late Phase (12-24 Weeks) – Strength & Power
- Full weight-bearing with progressive strengthening.
- Progression from assisted to unassisted single-leg heel raises.
- Controlled plyometrics like pogo hops and skipping to prep for dynamic movement.
- Strength testing to ensure you’re hitting >80-90% limb symmetry before advancing.
- Light jogging introduced based on strength, endurance, and movement control.
Return to Sport (24+ Weeks) – Performance & Confidence
- Strength goals: at least 1.5-2.0x bodyweight force in seated isometric soleus testing.
- Endurance markers: 30 x Single Leg calf raises and >95% symmetry in single-leg heel rise tests.
- Sport-specific drills: acceleration, deceleration, multi-directional agility.
- Advanced plyometrics: drop jumps, single-leg hops, reactive strength testing.
- Gradual return to full training and competition, with structured load management.
Rehab Done Right at Peak Health
Recovering from an Achilles rupture isn’t just about healing—it’s about making sure you come back stronger, more confident and ready for whatever you love to do.
At Peak Health Physiotherapy, we tailor rehab to your needs, using structured progressions and objective testing to guide every step of your recovery.
If you want to rehab properly and avoid long-term issues, book an assessment with us today. Let’s get you back to peak performance!
Please be aware this is a guide and all rehabilitation should be individualised and this should not be taken as medical advice.
If you want to help with anything injury related then feel free to Book In and we can get you on the journey to becoming pain free again.
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