[Disclaimer: this is a blog post for education purposes only and should not be viewed medical advice as each case could be uniquely different from the next]
When someone in Hillsboro, Beaverton, or Portland tears their Achilles tendon, one of the first questions they ask their physical therapist is: “How long until I can play again?” It’s a fair question. The Achilles tendon is the thick band of tissue that helps push off when you walk, jump, or sprint. When it tears, the road back is long, but not impossible.
Most people can expect 6 to 9 months before they are cleared for everyday sports like running, tennis, or hiking. For competitive athletes who want to return to a high level, recovery can stretch to 9 to 12 months. That might sound frustrating, but here’s why it takes so long: the tendon must not only heal, but also regain strength, stiffness, and spring-like qualities to withstand the heavy forces of sports. For example, your Achilles tendon can experience forces up to 11 times your body weight when running, and even more during jumps.
Instead of looking at the calendar alone, rehab experts recommend a criterion-based approach. That means progress is measured by what you can do, not just how many weeks have passed. Before returning to sport, athletes must demonstrate:
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- Strength symmetry: calf strength within 10% of the uninjured leg and ideally both sides will be be as strong as between 1.5-2x bodyweight in terms of how hard they can push out (ideally measured using technology like force plates or some type of hand held/isokinetic dynamometer).
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- Heel raise endurance: completing 25 single-leg heel raises without major compensation.
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- Balance and control: at least 90% symmetry on hop and balance tests.
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- Normal movement patterns: walking, jogging, and cutting without limping or hesitation.
For recreational athletes in Beaverton or Aloha, the good news is that most people return to their favorite activities. Pickleball, hiking in Forest Park, or running along the Tualatin Valley Trail are realistic goals after a year of recovery. But basketball players, soccer athletes, or competitive runners may notice some lingering weakness or slower performance, especially in explosive movements. That just means it might take a bit longer to get back to full capability.
A key part of recovery is avoiding tendon elongation—the tendon stretching too much during the healing phase. Most elongation risk happens between weeks 2–6, so aggressive stretching is avoided early on. Instead, therapists use progressive loading, blood flow restriction (BFR) training, and strengthening in safe positions to restore function without overstressing the tendon.
The bottom line: returning to sport after an Achilles tendon rupture is a long but rewarding process. Whether you’re a competitive soccer player in Portland or a weekend warrior in Hillsboro, the key is patience, structured rehab, and hitting the right milestones at each stage.