Protocols

Context for your recovery — not instructions.

A protocol in Achilles Journey is an educational reference framework: a broad picture of how a typical, uncomplicated Achilles recovery is commonly documented. It helps you understand where you might be — it never decides what you should do next.

Educational reference frameworksA protocol describes what people commonly document across a typical, uncomplicated recovery. It’s background context, not a set of instructions for your injury.

Broad, not prescriptiveStages cover wide time windows. A clinician-led plan can look quite different and still sit within a typical stage or timing window.

Different isn’t failureMissing, skipped, or differently-named equipment and milestones aren’t treated as going wrong. Recovery paths legitimately vary.

Versioned and reviewableProtocol versions are maintained and can be professionally reviewed. Existing users can stay on a version to preserve the historical context of their journey.

The pathways we currently support

Achilles Journey supports two educational pathways today. Each is a device-neutral, broad framework — it does not publish exercise prescriptions, weight-bearing schedules or fixed timing claims.

Non-surgical (functional rehabilitation)Anchored to the injury date

For a typical, uncomplicated recovery from an acute, complete Achilles rupture managed without surgery. Not for partial tears, re-rupture, delayed presentation, complications or individualised clinician-directed deviations.

Surgical (primary repair)Anchored to the surgery date

For a typical, uncomplicated recovery after primary surgical repair. Not for revision, re-rupture, augmentation, reconstruction, chronic or delayed repair, or significant post-operative complications.

Review status — stated honestly

The current pathways are internal baselines prepared from cited, publicly available sources. Their stage timings and the structured protection / weight-bearing ranges are drafts pending independent professional review. They are not presented as clinically reviewed or approved guidance, and nothing here should be read as a treatment instruction. You can see exactly what informs them on the sources page.

Achilles Journey is a personal recovery-tracking tool. It documents your recovery and offers educational context — it does not diagnose, prescribe, decide what you should do next, or replace your treating team. Read the medical boundary.

See our sources How the timeline works