Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel bone, and, unfortunately, it’s prone to wear-and-tear injuries.
Achilles tendon injuries are common among athletes. In fact, Achilles tendonitis cases have risen in recent years, especially among runners, basketball players, and football players.
Our team of providers at NYC Foot & Ankle Center, in the Manhattan Valley neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, can treat mild Achilles tendon injuries with orthotics, physical therapy, or shockwave therapy. However, if you rupture (tear) your tendon, you may need surgery.
If you need surgery, we utilize minimally invasive techniques. While surgery is only recommended when the pros outweigh the cons, tendon repair can restore your mobility and help eliminate the pain of a torn tendon.
If you already know you need surgery and are wondering what to expect during your recovery, read on.
During your surgery, your NYC Foot & Ankle Center surgeon makes small incisions around your damaged tendon instead of a large open cut. Using specialized instruments, they stitch the torn ends of your tendon together or attach it to your bone if necessary.
This technique reduces scarring, lowers your risk of infection, and speeds up your recovery compared to traditional surgery.
Immediately after surgery, you may feel groggy or nauseous. These are two common side effects of anesthesia, but they dissipate soon. Because of this, plan on having a friend or family member take you home after your surgery.
Once the effects of anesthesia are gone and you head home, it’s time to focus on the next phase of your recovery.
Minimally invasive surgery doesn’t create long incisions. This means you may have a few small incisions instead of one long one. Our team provides post-op instructions, but in general, you’ll want to keep these areas clean and dry.
If you notice any signs of infection — redness, swelling, pus or oozing, or fever — let us know.
After surgery, you won’t be able to put weight on your foot. Instead, it will be protected and immobilized in a splint or cast. Swelling and mild discomfort are common. Your main priorities during this time are managing swelling and pain.
Your NYC Foot & Ankle Center surgeon may recommend:
Follow all aspects of your post-operative instructions — including pain medication management — thoroughly.
Physical therapy is an important part of all orthopedic surgery recovery, and Achilles tendon repair is no exception. In short, physical therapy helps reduce your risk of perioperative complications.
Early physical therapy includes exercises and stretches designed to restore your mobility and strength gradually without adding too much strain on your tendon as it heals. If you’re prescribed exercises at home, stick with them. The more consistent you are, the smoother your recovery is likely to be.
As your recovery progresses, physical therapy will intensify to rebuild strength in your calf and ankle. This stage of physical therapy helps you regain your balance and prevent re-injury.
Your timeline for returning to your normal activities depends on several factors including:
You won’t be able to put weight on your foot right away, but many people do resume light activities within a few months (about 12 weeks) with a return to full functionality taking six months to a full year.
In general, people who undergo minimally invasive surgery tend to recover and return to activity sooner than if they had traditional open surgery.
If you’re an athlete, you may require additional time and specialized exercises to return to peak performance safely.
Your Achilles tendon makes walking possible. It transfers power from your calf muscle to your foot, helps you push off the ground when you walk or run, and helps you rise up on your toes. It’s your thickest tendon, and when it ruptures, walking is painful and running is out of the question.
Surgery — despite the downtime — can restore the function of your tendon so you can walk comfortably. This is the biggest benefit of tendon repair.
As a minimally invasive surgery, you can expect a few other advantages:
If you have questions about your upcoming surgery or would like to explore the possibilities of surgery, contact our office today to schedule a consultation. You can call us or utilize our online booking tool.