After an Achilles tendon repair, what support should be used to prevent excessive stretch?

After an Achilles tendon repair, it's crucial to provide appropriate support to the heel to avoid excessive stretching of the tendon during the healing process. Using a 1-1.5 cm heel lift helps maintain the foot in a plantarflexed position. This position minimizes tension on the tendon as it heals, preventing overstretching and reducing the risk of complications such as rerupture or improper healing.

Maintaining a slight elevation through the heel lift ensures that the Achilles tendon remains in a more favorable alignment during the early stages of rehabilitation. This is important because the tendon is vulnerable in the initial postoperative period, and providing this lift can support proper biomechanics and enhance recovery.

Choosing other options, such as a flat heel or no lift, does not provide the necessary support and can lead to increased strain on the healing tendon, whereas an elevated heel option would typically place the ankle in greater dorsiflexion, which could further stretch the tendon. Thus, a controlled heel lift is the most appropriate choice for promoting optimal healing in the early stages post-surgery.