Achilles Tendonitis Surgery

If all non-operative treatment for Achilles Tendonitis provides no relief a surgical option may be explored by your physician.  There are a few considerations that will be looked at by your physician and something that you as a patient will need to consider prior to choosing a surgical option. 

 

Factor One: Timing

Achilles pain tendonitis surgeons advise patients to explore the possibilities of nonsurgical treatments thoroughly before a surgical procedure will be recommended to you. A typical situation is the patient has consistently applied himself or herself to their conservative treatment plan, only to realize six months have passed without significant improvement or relief. The patient may have rested as much as they could afford, applied persistent physical therapy exercises to their routine outside of their regular appointments, and have been taking medication without seeing any changes. The longevity of the pain will be an indication to your doctor that surgical treatment may be necessary. A qualified doctor will give you a course of treatment that adapts to the receptivity of your injury, and duration of pain is the biggest indicator of the need to move beyond conservative options.

 

Factor Two: Severity

Two main factors that determine the severity of the injury are the amount of damage to the tendon and the location of the tendonitis. Severity can manifest itself in chronic Achilles pain (longevity) or acute damage. A doctor will counsel you from the point of injury to its progression, and will continue to offer counsel throughout the different stages of healing. The purpose of an initial examination from medical experts is to clarify your starting point, as well as to outline a personalized treatment plan. If you communicate the stagnation or worsening of your injury, Achilles pain tendonitis surgeons may recommend procedures such as debridement and repair, or debridement with tendon transfer.

 

Factor Three: Risks

Before committing to surgical treatment, you must consider the risks. One risk we strive to avoid is infection. An infection of the Achilles tendon can be difficult to treat because of its location. Another factor to weigh is moderate to severe pain after surgery which complicates recovery. But rest assured,  Achilles pain tendonitis surgeons at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute are world-renowned specialists and leaders in the orthopaedic field. We utilize the most cutting-edge technology, and offer expert advice for the diagnosis and treatment of Achilles pain tendonitis. 

 

Surgical Treatment Options

Debridement and Repair of Achilles Tendon - This procedure consists of your surgeon first making an incision. Next the tendon will be examined and any damaged tissue or calcium deposits are removed. The healthy tissue is then reinforced. 

Debridement and Tendon Transfer of Achilles Tendon occurs when the tendon is to deteriorated to be fixed. This procedure will require a tendon transfer to fix the tissue. 

 

Post Treatment

Following surgery your surgeon will want to follow up with you in office to evaluate the incision and make sure everything is healing correctly. Physical therapy will also be prescribed to help regain motion and work on strengthening.