- Gastrocnemius recession—The orthopedic surgeon lengthens the calf muscles to reduce stress on the tendon.
- Debridement and repair—During this procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged part of the Achilles tendon and repairs the remaining tendon with sutures or stitches.
What is secondary repair of Achilles tendon?
Secondary repair: A repair performed after two weeks of injury . Primary repairs usually involve direct surgical correction of the injury, while secondary repairs may include tendon grafts or other more complex procedures.
How long are you non weight bearing after Achilles tendon surgery?
Surgical repair of an Achilles can usually be performed through a small (3/4”) incision, and requires just 3-4 weeks non- weight bearing and an additional 2-3 weeks in a walking boot.
How bad is Achilles tendon surgery?
All surgeries come with possible complications, including the risks associated with anesthesia, infection, damage to nerves and blood vessels , and bleeding or blood clots. Potential complications specific to Achilles tendon surgery include wound infection and delayed wound healing. Re-rupture can also occur.
What is the recovery time for Achilles tendon surgery?
You will need to wear a cast or a walking boot for 6 to 12 weeks after surgery. At first, it may be set to keep your foot pointed downward as the tendon heals. You may be able to put weight on your affected leg after a few weeks. But it will be several months before you have complete use of your leg and ankle.
How do you sleep after Achilles tendon surgery?
Put an ice pack on the area right after you injure it. Use pillows to raise your leg above the level of your heart when you sleep. Keep your foot elevated when you are sitting.
How can I speed up my Achilles recovery?
- Rest your leg. ...
- Ice it. ...
- Compress your leg. ...
- Raise (elevate) your leg. ...
- Take anti-inflammatory painkillers. ...
- Use a heel lift. ...
- Practice stretching and strengthening exercises as recommended by your doctor, physical therapist, or other health care provider.
How do you fix your Achilles tendon without surgery?
Non-surgical treatment starts with immobilizing your leg . This prevents you from moving the lower leg and ankle so that the ends of the Achilles tendon can reattach and heal. A cast, splint, brace, walking boot, or other device may be used to do this. Both immobilization and surgery are often successful.
Why won’t my Achilles tendon heal?
Achilles tendinopathy is most often caused by: Overuse or repeated movements during sports, work, or other activities. In sports, a change in how long, intensely, or often you exercise can cause microtears in the tendon. These tears are unable to heal quickly and will eventually cause pain.
How do I fix my Achilles tendon?
- Rest.
- Ice.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Specific exercises to strengthen your calf muscles.
- Physical therapy.
- Eccentric strength training. ...
- Low-impact activities, such as swimming.
Can a Achilles tendon heal itself?
A partially torn Achilles tendon can often heal on its own .
Are you awake during Achilles tendon surgery?
What will happen during an Achilles tendon repair? You will be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery . You may also be given local anesthesia to numb the surgery area.
Can you fully recover from a torn Achilles?
Depending on the type of work, some people need several weeks off work after an Achilles tendon tear (rupture); the time taken to return to sport is between 4 and 12 months. Generally, the outlook is good. However, the tendon does take time to heal, usually about six to eight weeks .
How do you tell if you have ruptured your Achilles tendon?
- The feeling of having been kicked in the calf.
- Pain, possibly severe, and swelling near the heel.
- An inability to bend the foot downward or “push off” the injured leg when walking.
- An inability to stand on the toes on the injured leg.
- A popping or snapping sound when the injury occurs.
When can I drive after Achilles surgery?
You can drive when you can move and control your foot and ankle, you are no longer using crutches, and you are no longer taking prescription pain medicine. This usually takes 4 to 6 weeks . How soon you can return to your work depends on your job. If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks.
How much is Achilles tendon surgery?
On MDsave, the cost of an Achilles Tendon Repair ranges from $3,689 to $12,921 . Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.
