Achilies Tendon Repair

What is an Achilles Tendon Repair?

An Achilles Tendon Repair is a specialist orthopaedic procedure performed to rejoin a severed or part-severed Achilles Tendon together.

The Achilles Tendon is essential for lower limb mobility and stability, as it enables the foot to point downwards and the heal to raise upwards when the calf muscle (Gastrocnemius) contracts. It is therefore an essential ligament for walking, running and standing on tiptoes and is an especially important tendon for sports.

Why is Achilles Tendon Repair surgery performed?

A severed Achilles Tendon is most unlikely to repair of its own accord without surgical intervention. Following an injury to the Achilles Tendon surgery is usually performed speedily because the Achilles Tendon is one of the strongest tissues in the body and once severed, it contracts and shortens quickly, making a successful repair more challenging the longer it is left untreated.

As an Achilles tear is usually sustained during sport the majority of repairs tend to be performed on men between 20 and 50 years of age. 

How is an Achilles Tendon Repair carried out?

An Achilles Tendon Repair can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep), Epidural, Regional or Local Anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes to perform and most procedures are provided on an in-patient basis with a one or two night stay in hospital required.

During a repair procedure patients are positioned on their front on the operating table and the affected limb and foot is stretched into a pointed toe position. A vertical incision is then made along the back of the heal and the two ruptured ligament ends are explored and sewn securely together.
 
At the end of the procedure the incision is closed with stitches and the wound covered with an absorbent dressing. A plaster cast is then applied from knee to toe to hold the foot in a pointed toe position (the optimum position to rest a newly repaired tendon).

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible on the ward to avoid complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to undertake lower limb physiotherapy exercises and cover a gentle walking distance with crutches on the day of surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control, patients are normally discharged home one or two days after surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally eating and drinking normally, walking confidently with crutches and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers) to control pain.

After ten days patients usually return to hospital to have their stitches removed and the original plaster cast replaced with a more lightweight version, which will remain in place for another six weeks. Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy exercises and by increasing their daily walking distance.

After six weeks your Consultant Surgeon will remove the plaster cast, assess your condition and range of movement and evaluate how successful the repair has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after this assessment and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work.

With the help of specialist lower limb physiotherapy and a progressive rehabilitation program, patients should expect a full physical recovery to take somewhere between 6 to 9 months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Achilles Tendon Repair surgery?

Although Achilles Repair surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking specialist surgery such as this, as well as the increased risk of a further Achilles Tendon rupture. All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in Achilles Tendon Repair in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Achilles Tendon Repair surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert surgeon in Achilles Tendon Repair surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating surgery and because of their expertise in Achilles Tendon Repair surgery. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert surgeon in Achilles Tendon Repair surgery: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com