Pilot · Foot and ankle is live; other subspecialties follow. Summaries are being reviewed and may change.Tell us what you think
Pilot Searched 7 Nov 2026 589 papers tracked Literature checked weekly
Foot and ankleShoulderComing soonElbowComing soonHand and wristComing soonHipComing soonKneeComing soonSpineComing soonPaediatric orthopaedicsComing soon

Non-operative functional rehabilitation

Equinus boot or brace with early protected weight-bearing and structured rehabilitation.

Under review
A summary for this option is being prepared. The papers below are already tracked.

Tracked papers (42)

PaperYearDesign
Shockwave Therapy for Midportion and Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: A Nail in the Coffin? A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.
Korakakis V · J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysisKey paper
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Psychological factors as predictors of compliance and outcome in non-operative management of Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review.
Maffulli N · Br Med Bull · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
A systematic review of orthotic devices for conservative management of achilles tendon rupture in adults.
Zamani R · Foot (Edinb) · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Changes in sex distribution in Achilles tendon rupture literature over 74 years: A systematic review.
Potter MN · Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Randomised three-armed trial investigation of the Copenhagen Achilles tendon Rupture Treatment Algorithm (CARTA) for individualised treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture.
Toft M · Br J Sports Med · 2026 · Randomised controlled trial
2026Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Efficacy of stem cell therapy for achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on animal studies.
Li B · Front Bioeng Biotechnol · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Incidence, Temporal Trends, and Surgical Shift of Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Kotsifaki R · Sports Med · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Comparative analysis of different mobility aids in the early accelerated rehabilitation phase following acute achilles tendon repair surgery: a prospective cohort study.
Wei Z · J Orthop Surg Res · 2026 · Randomised controlled trial
2026Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Home-Based Digital Exercise Program for Patients After Open Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.
Wang H · JMIR Mhealth Uhealth · 2026 · Randomised controlled trial
2026Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Minimally invasive repair with improved oval forceps suture-guiding method versus open repair with modified Kessler method for acute achilles tendon rupture: A randomized prospective study.
Dai G · J Foot Ankle Surg · 2026 · Randomised controlled trial
2026Randomised controlled trialLevel I
COL1A1 COL5A1 ACTN3 MMP3 GDF5 The Role of,,,, andGene Variants in Common Sports Injuries: Systematic Review of ACL Rupture, Achilles Tendinopathy, and Stress Fractures.
Abboud S · Genes (Basel) · 2026 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2026Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Operative versus nonoperative management of acute Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes from randomized controlled trials.
Xu S · Ann Med · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysisKey paper
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections Following Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Zhou Y · J Surg Res · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Statins: bitter enemies of tendons or not? A systematic review of clinical evidence.
Anzillotti G · Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Comparative effectiveness of weight-bearing strategies on functional recovery in acute Achilles tendon rupture: A network meta-analysis.
Irfan SA · Foot Ankle Surg · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Open surgery and minimally invasive repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture: stratified outcomes based on immobilization duration in a prospective cohort study.
Cao Y · J Orthop Surg Res · 2025 · Randomised controlled trial
2025Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Surgical treatment versus conservative management for acute Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yang Z · J Orthop Surg Res · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Open surgical repair as gold standard for acute Achilles tendon ruptures: Systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Pisano A · Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing Open FHL Tendon Transfer, Hamstring Transfer, and Turndown Flaps to Treat Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures.
Karaismailoglu B · Foot Ankle Int · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Outcomes of operative and nonoperative management of myotendinous Achilles tendon ruptures: a systematic review.
Lameire DL · BMC Musculoskelet Disord · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Mini-open versus percutaneous surgical repair for acute Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Melinte MA · Int Orthop · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Sonographic Assessment of Asymptomatic Patellar and Achilles Tendons to Predict Future Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Cushman DM · Clin J Sport Med · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Minimally invasive versus open surgery for acute achilles tendon rupture: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Albaker AB · Front Surg · 2025 · Systematic review / meta-analysisKey paper
2025Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Effect of cell therapy with adipose-derived stem cells in the treatment of acute rupture of the Achilles tendon in humans.
Vieira MHC · Cell Tissue Bank · 2024 · Randomised controlled trial
2024Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Gender Differences in Achilles Tendon Ruptures-A Retrospective Study and a Review of the Literature.
Hartman H · J Foot Ankle Surg · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Comparison of different immobilisation durations following open surgery for acute achilles tendon rupture: a prospective cohort study.
Cao Y · J Orthop Surg Res · 2024 · Randomised controlled trial
2024Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Paratenon preserving repair of the midsubstance acute Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis with best- and worst-case analyses for rerupture rates.
Hong CC · Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Sex differences in biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon may predispose men to higher risk of injury: A systematic review.
Gianakos AL · J ISAKOS · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Long-term patient outcome is affected by deep venous thrombosis after Achilles tendon rupture repair.
Aufwerber S · Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc · 2024 · Randomised controlled trial
2024Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Immediate mobilization after repair of Achilles tendon rupture may increase the incidence of re-rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Wang R · Int J Surg · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Return to Play and Functional Outcomes Following Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Bak BM · J Foot Ankle Surg · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Tendon Elongation and Function After Delayed or Standard Loading of Surgically Repaired Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hoeffner R · Am J Sports Med · 2024 · Randomised controlled trial
2024Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Reverse Fragility Index Comparing Rates of Rerupture After Open Achilles Tendon Repair Versus Early Functional Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Bragg JT · Am J Sports Med · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Surgical management of chronic Achilles tendon rupture: evidence-based guidelines.
Feng SM · J Orthop Surg Res · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Bone Patella Bone allografts show superior outcomes in revision ACL reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chhabra Y · Knee · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Surgical vs. nonoperative treatment for acute Achilles' tendon rupture: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Fan L · Front Surg · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
[Surgical or non-operative treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture : What does the current literature say?].
Aurich M · Orthopadie (Heidelb) · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Prospective randomized comparison of functional bracing versus rigid immobilization with early weightbearing after modified percutaneous achilles tendon repair under local anesthesia.
Čretnik A · Foot (Edinb) · 2024 · Randomised controlled trial
2024Randomised controlled trialLevel I
Gender differences in foot and ankle sporting injuries: A systematic literature review.
Talia AJ · Foot (Edinb) · 2024 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2024Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II
Both gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts are effective in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures - a systematic review.
Nilsson N · BMC Musculoskelet Disord · 2023 · Systematic review / meta-analysis
2023Systematic review / meta-analysisLevel I-II