Injury to the Achilles tendon can occur from a sudden jump or planting of the foot or can occur from chronic repetitive damage or tendonitis. If the achilles tendon tears surgery may be required to fix a large, full tear.
Prior to surgery imaging tests may be order such as an MRI to better see the extent of damage to the Achilles tendon. This will help you and your surgeon to make a decision on which surgery option is best for you. Make sure to tell your surgeon any and all medications that you are taking and decide if you will need to stop taking any medications prior to surgery.
Arrangements should be made for any help in home care with family or friends. You will need someone to help with transport to and from surgery and most likely around home for the first couple of days.
Surgery Options
Open Repair of the achilles tendon consists of your surgeon making one long incision on the back of the heel. They will then sew the two torn parts of the achilles tendon together. To help strengthen the tendon they will either use a piece from you achilles tendon or they will harvest a graft to use over the two sewn achilles tendon pieces.
Mini-Open Repair is a small incision that is made over the torn part of the achilles tendon. A special tool is used to guide stitches into the torn pieces of the achilles tendon. These stitches are then used to pull the tendons together.
Percutaneous option is used by making a couple smaller incisions on either side of the achilles tendon. These stitches are then used to pull the tendon together connecting the two torn achilles tendon pieces.
Which option is best for me?
Risks include: Infection, bleeding, possible nerve damage, chance of blood clots, calf weakness, and wound healing problem. Your surgeons team will explain all risks and give specific instructions for after surgery care.
Post treatment after surgery will consist of follow ups with you surgeon to make sure healing and the surgical procedure is healing well. Physical therapy will then be prescribed to help strengthen the tendon as well as gain range of motion and return you to your daily activities.
