Citation

Jónsdóttir US, Brorsson A, Nilsson Helander K, Tranberg R, Larson MEH. Orthop. J. Sports Med. 2023; 11(2): e23259671221145199.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/23259671221145199

PMID

36798800

PMCID

PMC9926006

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon rupture is common among physically active individuals, yet a high percentage fail to return to their former activity after the injury. Quantifiable factors such as type of treatment, hours of rehabilitation, and age have not been associated with return-to-play rates. A factor that influences recovery is the participant's experience before and throughout the rehabilitation process, which can be explored using a qualitative content analysis.

PURPOSE: To explore and describe what influences the participant to return to physical activity after an Achilles tendon rupture. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: Twenty participants (14 men; mean age, 46 years) were interviewed as part of this study. All participants had ruptured their Achilles tendon 4 to 6 years before the interviews. From the interviews, codes were extracted that evolved into 19 subcategories, 6 categories, and 1 theme.

RESULTS: The overarching theme that emerged was "Help me and then I can fix this." The 6 categories were (1) one's own drive to succeed, (2) having a supportive social network, (3) trusting the support from the health and social systems, (4) receiving and adapting information from others drives persistence in returning to activity, (5) impact of the injury on psychological factors; and (6) influence of physiological aspects.

CONCLUSION: To be able to recover properly from an Achilles tendon rupture and return to activity, the study participants described the importance of obtaining the support needed to be able to gain optimal rehabilitation. In the participants' opinion, for a greater chance of successful treatment and rehabilitation, it was vital to be provided with good support.

Language: en

Keywords

qualitative research; rehabilitation; achilles tendon; psychological aspects of sports; return to sports