Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
NCT07131787

Optimizing Rehabilitation After Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair: The Role of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Tendon and Muscle Recovery

Led by University Hospital, Ghent · Updated on 2025-09-23

82

Participants Needed

2

Research Sites

167 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate whether rehabilitation with blood flow restriction (BFR) offers added value compared to conventional rehabilitation in patients undergoing surgical repair for Achilles tendon rupture. The study will include adult patients of all sexes who have undergone surgical treatment at two selected hospitals. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does BFR-enhanced rehabilitation improve functional recovery compared to conventional rehabilitation? What are the effects of BFR on muscle strength and tendon recovery? Researchers will compare blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy with conventional rehabilitation to determine whether BFR leads to improved clinical, muscular, and tendon-related outcomes. Participants will: 1. Undergo standard surgical repair of the Achilles tendon 2. Be randomly assigned to a 24-week exercise therapy program-either with or without blood flow restriction (BFR)-starting four weeks post-surgery 3. Take part in follow-up assessments at weeks 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, and 52, which will include: * Questionnaires on pain, quality of life, fear of movement, and return to sport * Medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound, MRI, shear wave elastography, and power Doppler * Muscle strength testing * Blood sample collection, along with a tendon tissue sample taken during surgery

CONDITIONS

Official Title

Optimizing Rehabilitation After Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair: The Role of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Tendon and Muscle Recovery

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Patients with total midrupture Achilles tendon rupture
  • Surgical treatment for Achilles tendon rupture
  • Age over 18 years
  • Able to understand and speak Dutch
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture
  • Previous Achilles tendon rupture
  • Previous treatment with fluoroquinolones or cortisone
  • Any other condition in either leg limiting exercise or evaluations
  • Diabetes or rheumatic diseases
  • History of deep venous thrombosis
  • Severe cardiovascular disease

AI-Screening

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 2 locations

1

Ghent University

Ghent, East-Flanders, Belgium, 9000

Not Yet Recruiting

2

Ghent University Hospital

Ghent, Belgium, 9000

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

S

Sarah VanDen Berghe

CONTACT

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

DOUBLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

2

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