1 Before you use it
What it is
Built for Achilles tendon rupture, not tendinopathy — and the distinction matters. Ten items on limitations due to reduced strength, fatigue, stiffness, pain and activity, including running, jumping and heavy physical labour.
When to reach for it
Achilles rupture, operatively or non-operatively managed, through rehabilitation and at return to sport.
Use VISA-A for tendinopathy and ATRS for rupture. They are not interchangeable.
Patterns it serves · 1
2 Giving it
Scoring
Ten items, 0–10 each, totalling 0–100. Higher is better.
What it doesn’t measure
Heel raise capacity and calf circumference, which are the objective measures a post-rupture calf needs. Measure both, both sides.
Repeat it
3 Reading the score
Interpreting it
Interpret against baseline.
Strength and fatigue items lead the questionnaire because that is what persists after a rupture — long after the pain has gone.
Is the change real?
On placement
Twelve weeks after a non-operative Achilles rupture. ATRS 34 at week 6, 43 today.
Read it as 9 points, and the MDC for one person is 10.7 (measured after Achilles tendon rupture) — so this change is inside the measurement error. The 1.5-point figure is for a group mean and does not apply to one patient.
Do keep the heel-raise progression going and re-score at week 16. Don't tell them they have improved on the strength of this number; tell them what the single-leg heel-raise count did.
Student trap. Using VISA-A after a rupture. Different condition, different questionnaire.
Official source: null. We don't host the form.
This is a learning tool. It does not diagnose patients and does not replace your clinical educator.
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