What is Achilles tendon repair surgery?

Achilles tendon repair surgery is a surgical procedure to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The Achilles tendon is a tough, fibrous cord in the back of your ankle. It's a tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel. It is the largest tendon in your body. It enables you to walk, run, and jump.

Sometimes, the Achilles tendon can tear or rupture. This is typically due to a sudden, forceful movement. It may happen with strenuous exercise. It may occur if you suddenly accelerate or sharply turn on your foot. Having a foot that pronates outward too much may predispose someone to tearing the tendon. A torn Achilles tendon can cause pain and swelling near the heel. You cannot plantar flex or point your foot downward, and you might not be able to walk.

Another region where the Achilles tendon can degenerate is tendinitis or tendinopathy. It may make you feel pain and stiffness all along your Achilles tendon at the back of your heel. Often, it's due to overuse and repeated stress on the tendon. It could result from repeated stress on your tendon, mainly if you've become more active recently. If your calf muscles are short, you'll be more at risk for tendinopathy.

In the surgical procedure, an incision is made in the back of the calf. Then, if this tendon is ruptured, the surgeon stitches it back. However, if the tendon degenerates, the surgeon will cut out the damaged portion and stitch the remaining tendon. If the tendon is severely damaged, then your surgeon will have to replace a part or the whole of your Achilles tendon in the foot. This will be a tendon taken from somewhere else in the foot.

This can sometimes be performed as a minimally invasive surgery. Several small incisions can be made instead of one large one. A particular scope with a tiny camera and a light may aid in the repair.

Why might I need Achilles tendon repair surgery?

A torn Achilles tendon is an indication that Achilles tendon surgery may be in order. Most ruptures of the Achilles tendon must be operated on. Other times, though, your healthcare provider may feel that other treatments should be your first line of attack. These may include pain medicines or a short leg cast to keep the leg from moving. And there are some other medical conditions under which your healthcare provider may not even recommend surgery. These include diabetes and neuropathy.

Or you might require Achilles tendon repair surgery if you experience tendinopathy. However, in most cases, other therapies can treat tendinopathy. For example, you would rest your foot for some time by using ice and pain medicines, and subsequently, you could utilize a brace or other device for immobilizing your foot so that it does not move around. In addition to this, you can take some benefit from physical therapy. If your symptoms appear not to subside even after the passage of several months, then your healthcare provider may even suggest surgery.

It would depend on the nature of your problem. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of your choices.

What is the preparation for Achilles tendon repair surgery?

Talk with your doctor or health care provider about preparation for surgery. Share all the medicines you take with your doctor. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin. You might need to stop medications before surgery, such as blood thinners. If you smoke, you will need to quit before surgery. Smoking impairs healing. Discuss quitting with your healthcare provider if you require their help.

Before surgery, you would need to undergo imaging tests. These may include ultrasounds, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Do not have food in your stomach after midnight on the eve of surgery. Inform your doctor of any changes in your health that you may be experiencing lately, including fever.

To recover well, you may require a few adjustments in your home. This is because you will not be able to walk normally on your foot for long. Ensure you plan to get someone to drive you home from the hospital.

What happens during an Achilles tendon repair operation?

An orthopedic surgeon carries out the treatment with the aid of other specialized healthcare service providers. The surgery usually takes a couple of hours and might require spinal anesthesia along with sedation for pain. The surgeon will check and monitor the patient's heart rate and blood pressure. The incision will be made starting from the calf's skin and muscle, but if minimally invasive surgery is conducted, this will be done with the aid of a camera.

In addition to the graft, the surgeon can remove an additional tendon from the foot as a backup replacement for all or part of the Achilles tendon. Any surgical repair will have to be made to occur. The doctor then sutures the closed layers of skin and muscle around the calf. The surgery can take many hours.

What happens after Achilles tendon repair surgery?

The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure where the patient is monitored for several hours, and the ankle is placed in a splint that minimizes movement. The pain is usually felt in the first few days, and pain medications can be taken to stabilize this. Elevating the leg can also minimize swelling and pain. If you have a high fever or your pain worsens, report this to your healthcare provider immediately. Crutches may be prescribed to take off the weight of the leg. About 10 days after surgery, sutures will be removed, and a splint may be changed to a cast or a removal boot.

The doctor will advise on weight bearing on the leg, muscle strengthening of the ankle and leg, and sometimes physiotherapy. It is therefore very important to adhere to the doctor's advice concerning medicines, wound care, and exercises, which play a crucial role in successful surgery.

What are the complications of an Achilles tendon Repair?

Risks of Achilles tendon Repair-

• DVT or blood clots: More likely to occur in the limb that has suffered the injury, possibly due to anesthetic options. A patient assessment and medication may be prescribed to help prevent this.
• Damage to Nerves: There is a small risk of damaging or bruising the surrounding nerves, which can cause numbness or weakness. The symptoms tend to resolve themselves over time but can persist in some cases.
• Infection: Up to 5% risk with foot and ankle operations, with minor infections often treated with antibiotics. Deeper infections may require another operation.
• Delayed Wound Healing: Poor blood supply to the ankle skin can cause delayed wound healing. Patients who smoke are at a higher risk.
• Re-rupture: There is a small chance of failure with re-rupture, requiring careful post-operative instructions.
• Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome: Potentially long-standing pain, swelling, and tenderness; could be sent to a specialist for care.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Achilles tendon repair surgery?

Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most skilled professionals in the country. With the finest Orthopedic surgeons, specialized in Achilles tendon repair surgery. Tender Palm stands out as the premier orthopedic hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com