When is post-operative rehabilitation recommended for achilles tendon rupture?

Early rehabilitation protects the repair while helping control swelling and maintain safe movement in the rest of the leg. Later stages may address ankle mobility, calf strength, balance, walking pattern and a gradual return to work or sport. The pace is individual: the incision, tendon healing, pain, strength and the surgeon’s restrictions all guide progression.

Attend scheduled reviews, use the boot or other protection exactly as directed, and do not stretch the calf or increase weight-bearing without clearance. Keep the wound clean as instructed and complete only the exercises prescribed for your current stage. A physiotherapist can coordinate the programme with the surgical team. Read about [Post-Operative Rehabilitation](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/post-operative-rehabilitation/).

Contact the team promptly for increasing wound redness, drainage, fever, sudden loss of push-off strength, a new pop, severe calf swelling or pain, chest pain, or breathlessness. Do not wait for the next therapy session when these symptoms appear.

Ask when therapy should begin, what boot position and weight-bearing limits apply, which exercises are allowed now, how tendon healing will be reviewed, and which signs suggest a setback.