It may take champion New Zealand five-eighth Dan Carter considerable time to return to his best when he recovers from his ruptured Achilles tendon, according to All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson.

Carter is nearly three weeks into his recovery from surgery on the tendon in Perpignan, where his six-month sabbatical with the French club was cut short after just five matches.

Robinson is in constant contact with Carter and his Perpignan doctor Carlos Vela and pronounced herself happy with progress.

However, she warned that the 26-year-old may well take time to rediscover his form, even if a smooth recovery has him back in the anticipated six months.

That would have him on the field by early August - which would be mid-way through the Tri-Nations.

"This injury is a good example of how people can recover to play their sport but they may not get that absolute power and pace that's required to play at the very top level," Robinson said.

"Guys come back and play rugby but they're not really good for a little while."

Robinson had no doubt Carter would eventually return to 100 percent but it would take patience.

The Canterbury and Crusaders star may well complete most or all of his recuperation in France.

Any decision on that must wait until he has removed his stabilising moon boot, probably in early April.

There may well be contractual and promotional reasons to see out his Perpignan contract.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who has also been in regular contact, indicated Carter had expressed a desire to stay on.

"He's got things he wants to do over there and he can do those at the same time as rehab," Henry said.

"Him feeling good about things and feeling positive is start of the rehab process.

"If we force him to do things he might not want to do, that would be a negative."

Henry said several All Blacks players had been in touch with their immobile teammate and all agreed he sounded in good spirits.

"Obviously it's a concern, he's obviously a very important player in this country and we want to make sure the best is done for him," Henry said.

"We have to rely on the medical people to do that. He's feeling good and that's the main thing."

Carter is due for a three-week consultation with Vela on Friday.

Robinson expected Carter would be allowed to remove his moon boot soon for gentle stretching. By April he may be able to fully bear his own weight.

She appreciated the Perpignan medical staff allowing her to be involved in the decision-making but believed he was in excellent hands without her.

"Their system is a little bit different. They (French players) probably get more day-to-day care than we do, post surgery," she said.

"There's always some risks with surgery and the key is to pick them up as they happen.

"The first three weeks are all about the wound healing and it's going fine. I don't see how being in France is going to be to his detriment.

"He's got sets of eyes on him all the time."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP