Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

This morning I had the opportunity to assess a semi pro football player who injured his ankle. Upon exam he has a clinical picture consistent with an Achilles' tendon rupture. That got me thinking of the treatment options for these injuries and is surgical or non surgical treatment preferred?

I did some research and it appears that there is no clinical significance between surgical or non surgical treatment. Non surgical care has a slightly higher incidence of re rupture, but surgical has great her incidence if complications including nerve damage and infection. Both outcomes show improvement at 6 and 12 months but less than the non-injured side, as expected. 

Two treatments that seem to help regardless of surgery or no surgery are a functional brace instead of casting an early rehabilitation. 

Active individuals who want to return to activity may lean more toward surgical treatment.