Weight-Bearing Aids May Speed Achilles Recovery

Faster functional gains observed with certain weight-bearing devices, alongside higher early emergency department visits.

By
Andrea Surnit
May 4, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

Objective:

To evaluate the recovery outcomes of patients using different weight-bearing mobility aids after Achilles tendon repair surgery.

Key Findings:

Patients using axillary crutches had over eight times the odds of unplanned ED visits compared to wheelchair users.
Weight-bearing aids led to improved recovery outcomes, with less calf muscle atrophy and earlier achievement of recovery milestones.
Functional scores favored weight-bearing aid users during the first 12 weeks, with differences diminishing over time.
Axillary crutches and knee scooters had the lowest direct medical costs, while LS walkers had the highest.

Interpretation:

Weight-bearing mobility aids may enhance functional recovery post-surgery but could also lead to increased complications, highlighting the need for careful selection in rehabilitation planning.

Limitations:

Non-randomized selection of mobility aids based on shared decision-making may introduce selection bias.
The study was conducted at a single center with a predominantly male population.
Adherence to rehabilitation protocols was not directly measured.