Achilles Tendon Repair

You will be anesthetized during your Achilles tendon repair surgery. Your surgeon will make an incision in your calf and remove the parts of your tendon that are damaged or repair a tear in your tendon. If you have severe damage to much of your tendon, your surgeon might remove another tendon from your foot and use it to replace most or all of your Achilles tendon. When the repairs are complete, your surgeon will close your incision with sutures. (If you have minimally invasive surgery, your incision will be smaller.)

Minimally invasive surgeries involve smaller incisions and a less-invasive technique, shortening recovery time.

You might be a good candidate for Achilles tendon repair surgery if your Achilles tendon is torn or ruptured.

Some of the possible side effects and complications of Achilles tendon repair surgery are ongoing pain in your foot and ankle, infection, bleeding, blood clots, wound healing problems, and weakness in the calf.

The alternatives to Achilles tendon repair surgery include immobilization with a cast, walking boot, brace, or something else that keeps your lower leg and ankle from moving so the tendon can reconnect and heal.

Most people who have Achilles tendon repair surgery are able to return to all the activities they were used to before their injury, including sports.

You don’t need a referral to see a surgeon about Achilles tendon repair surgery.

You can always get a second or third opinion, but it isn’t required.

Your health history will be compiled and available to the team before, during, and after surgery. If you’re a Hancock Health patient, we will be able to access your records within our system. If you aren’t, we will work with your doctors to get the necessary information.

Your surgical team will evaluate the situation and help you make a choice that’s right for you and your health. Temporary treatments might be used if your surgery is rescheduled.

Consult the price transparency tool at HancockRegionalHospital.org for an idea of how much PEG tube placement surgery might cost.

Medicare parts A and B will cover the cost of joint fusion surgery, but it’s important for your doctor to indicate that the surgery is medically necessary.

Tell your care team about all of the medications you take, including over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. You may need to stop taking some of them before your surgery. If you smoke, you may be asked to stop before your surgery.  You’ll also probably be instructed not to eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery.

You’ll arrive several hours before your surgery and be escorted to the preoperative waiting area. You’ll remove all of your clothing and jewelry, and put on a hospital gown. (Your valuables will be placed in a secure area or may be given to a family member.)  You’ll sign any necessary paperwork and a preoperative nurse will take your vital signs, review your medications, and answer any questions. You’ll meet your anesthesiologist and the members of your surgery team. They will mark the location of your surgery on your body.  An IV (intravenous line) will be placed in your hand or arm, so medications—including general anesthesia—can be administered. If you’re using a different kind of anesthesia, you’ll receive an injection. When it’s time for your surgery, you will be wheeled into the operating suite on a stretcher.

In addition to the surgeon, you have an anesthesiologist, nurses—some of them specialize in working with patients and others assist the surgeon—and support staff, who get you checked in and out, compile your records, and more. They all work together, performing their individual jobs, so the procedure is as successful as possible.

Anything you’ll need for an overnight stay, including a change of underwear, a sweatshirt, glasses or contacts, headphones, and your medications. You probably will not be there overnight, but it’s a good idea to be prepared.

You will be anesthetized during the procedure, so you won’t feel any pain. Your care team will watch your vital signs, making sure they are normal. Your surgeon will make an incision through your calf, repair your Achilles tendon, and then close your muscle and skin with sutures.

Achilles tendon repair surgery typically takes 30 minutes to an hour.

The length of a hospital stay depends on each patient’s individual needs, but you will likely be released the same day as your surgery.

You’ll wake up from surgery in the recovery room and, as you start to regain feeling in your body, you’ll receive pain medication. The length of time you stay in recovery will depend on how quickly your anesthesia wears off and your individual circumstances following your Achilles tendon repair surgery. Your ankle will likely be in a splint.

You’ll be able to talk to your surgeon immediately after your procedure, while you’re in the recovery room.

In most cases, patients receive pain medication immediately following surgery.

You may be prescribed pain medication, anticoagulants, and/or other symptom-reducing medications.

Make sure you’ll have help with everyday tasks, such as cooking, showering, and doing laundry. If you live alone, our associates can help you find a temporary caretaker.

Your care team will likely recommend physical therapy following your Achilles tendon repair surgery. Our associates will help you arrange the post-operative care you’ll need.

Your stitches or staples will likely be removed during your first postoperative appointment with your surgeon, about two weeks after surgery. There will be a scar where the incision was made.

Your care team will give you specific instructions about how to care for your wound from your Achilles tendon repair surgery, but some general guidelines are below. Change your dressing daily, starting two days after you leave the hospital.  Don’t scrub the incision area. If you have steri-strips over your incision, they will probably fall off on their own within about two weeks. You may remove your dressing and shower 24-48 hours after your surgery if your care team approves it. Carefully pat the incision dry after your shower and reapply the dressing. For about two weeks, don’t submerge your incision in water by taking a bath or getting in a pool or hot tub. When the incisions are completely healed, feel free to resume those activities.

If you have a desk job, you may be able to return to work in 1–2 weeks; if you are on your feet at work, it might take 6–8 weeks. If your job requires you to be physically active, it could take a few months.