{
  "name": "Steady recovery claims — Achilles tendon repair",
  "procedure": "Achilles tendon repair",
  "bodyRegion": "achilles",
  "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
  "attribution": "Steady — https://growsteady.me/recovery-data. Free to quote and reuse with a link back.",
  "schemaUrl": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/claims.json",
  "disclaimer": "Published cohort data. Not medical advice, not a prediction for an individual, and not a substitute for a surgeon or clinician.",
  "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08",
  "count": 21,
  "claims": [
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-0",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 0 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 0 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 4.1 out of 10, within a reported band of 2.4 to 4.8. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 0,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 2.4,
        "typical": 4.1,
        "high": 4.8,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; immediate post-op (low = minimally-invasive arms, typical/high = open repair)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12255024/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-2",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 2 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 2 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 0.9 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.3 to 1.8. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 2,
      "weekEnd": 2,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.3,
        "typical": 0.9,
        "high": 1.8,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; week-2 group means span 0.3 (favourable MIS arm) to 1.8 (open repair) across the open-vs-MIS and immobilization sub-groups"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12255024/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-4",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 4 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 4 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 1.9 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.8 to 2.6. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 4,
      "weekEnd": 4,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.8,
        "typical": 1.9,
        "high": 2.6,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; week-4 immobilization cohort bracketed against percutaneous 1-month 2.63"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11337624/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-6",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 6 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 6 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 0.4 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.2 to 1. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 6,
      "weekEnd": 6,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.2,
        "typical": 0.4,
        "high": 1,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; week-6 immobilization cohort means 0.2-0.4"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11337624/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-8",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 8 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 8 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 0.1 out of 10, within a reported band of 0 to 0.2. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 8,
      "weekEnd": 8,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0,
        "typical": 0.1,
        "high": 0.2,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; week-8 immobilization cohort means 0-0.2"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11337624/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-13",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 13 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 13 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 1.8 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.6 to 3. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 13,
      "weekEnd": 13,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.6,
        "typical": 1.8,
        "high": 3,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; percutaneous 3-month 1.79 (residual-load uptick as activity resumes)"
      },
      "source": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35809780/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-26",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 26 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 26 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 0.7 out of 10, within a reported band of 0 to 1.8. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 26,
      "weekEnd": 26,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0,
        "typical": 0.7,
        "high": 1.8,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; percutaneous 6-month 0.69"
      },
      "source": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35809780/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pain:week-52",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 52 after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 52 after Achilles tendon repair, typical reported pain is 0.1 out of 10, within a reported band of 0 to 0.5. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 52,
      "weekEnd": 52,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0,
        "typical": 0.1,
        "high": 0.5,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10; percutaneous 12-month 0.08; ATRS 94/100"
      },
      "source": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35809780/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:milestone:weight-bearing-in-boot-with-heel-wedges",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Weight-bearing in boot with heel wedges\" typical after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Weight-bearing in boot with heel wedges",
      "answer": "After Achilles tendon repair, \"Weight-bearing in boot with heel wedges\" is typically reached around week 0. Reported range: Day 0-2 weeks; immediate partial-to-full weight-bearing in a CAM boot under accelerated protocols. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11379499/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:milestone:full-weight-bearing-in-boot",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Full weight-bearing in boot\" typical after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Full weight-bearing in boot",
      "answer": "After Achilles tendon repair, \"Full weight-bearing in boot\" is typically reached around week 5. Reported range: About 4-6 weeks in a CAM boot, protocol-dependent. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 5,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11379499/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:milestone:return-to-work",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to work\" typical after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Return to work",
      "answer": "After Achilles tendon repair, \"Return to work\" is typically reached around week 8. Reported range: Desk ~2-4 weeks (from the boot); on-feet ~8 weeks; manual labour ~12-16 weeks. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 8,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/achilles-tendon-rupture-management-and-rehabilitation/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:milestone:out-of-boot-into-supportive-shoe-with-heel-lift",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Out of boot into supportive shoe with heel lift\" typical after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Out of boot into supportive shoe with heel lift",
      "answer": "After Achilles tendon repair, \"Out of boot into supportive shoe with heel lift\" is typically reached around week 9. Reported range: About 8-9 weeks; some accelerated MIS protocols at ~6 weeks. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 9,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/achilles-tendon-rupture-management-and-rehabilitation/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:milestone:return-to-normal-walking-out-of-boot-no-limp",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to normal walking (out of boot, no limp)\" typical after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Return to normal walking (out of boot, no limp)",
      "answer": "After Achilles tendon repair, \"Return to normal walking (out of boot, no limp)\" is typically reached around week 13. Reported range: About 11-16 weeks in supportive footwear. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 13,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/achilles-tendon-rupture-management-and-rehabilitation/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:milestone:return-to-running-sport",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to running / sport\" typical after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Return to running / sport",
      "answer": "After Achilles tendon repair, \"Return to running / sport\" is typically reached around week 26. Reported range: Running ~12-16 weeks; criteria-based return to sport at a pooled mean ~6 months (RTS rate ~80%). This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 26,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5136353/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:phase:week-0-2",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Weight goes on early, in the boot",
      "answer": "Accelerated protocols start partial-to-full weight bearing in a CAM boot with heel wedges from day 0 to week 2 — early load is part of the plan, not a risk being taken.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 2,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11379499/",
      "sourceNote": "Rehabilitation & return-to-sport review",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:phase:week-4-6",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Full weight in the boot",
      "answer": "Full weight bearing in the boot typically lands at weeks 4-6, protocol-dependent.",
      "weekStart": 4,
      "weekEnd": 6,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11379499/",
      "sourceNote": "Rehabilitation & return-to-sport review",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:phase:week-8-10",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Boot off, heel lift in",
      "answer": "Around weeks 8-9 the boot gives way to a supportive shoe with a heel lift; total boot time runs about nine weeks in standard protocols.",
      "weekStart": 8,
      "weekEnd": 10,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/achilles-tendon-rupture-management-and-rehabilitation/",
      "sourceNote": "Cambridge University Hospitals NHS pathway",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:phase:week-11-16",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": "Walking like yourself again",
      "answer": "Normal walking without a limp typically returns between weeks 11 and 16 in supportive footwear.",
      "weekStart": 11,
      "weekEnd": 16,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/achilles-tendon-rupture-management-and-rehabilitation/",
      "sourceNote": "Cambridge University Hospitals NHS pathway",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:trajectory:absent",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "trajectory",
      "question": "Why is my recovery slower than expected after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on different recovery tracks after Achilles tendon repair. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:location:absent",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "location",
      "question": "Where is it normal to feel pain after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on where the pain is felt after Achilles tendon repair. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "achilles-repair:pattern:absent",
      "procedure": "achilles-repair",
      "procedureName": "Achilles tendon repair",
      "bodyRegion": "achilles",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "pattern",
      "question": "What does the pain feel like after Achilles tendon repair?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on what the pain feels like after Achilles tendon repair. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/achilles-repair",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    }
  ]
}