Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery PreOp® Patient Education & Patient Engagement video Series
Your doctor has recommended an open Achilles tendon repair surgery to treat your ruptured tendon.
This video should improve your understanding of the procedure.
The Achilles tendon is a strong band of fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscles in the back of the leg to the heel bone.
It is the strongest tendon in the body.
The Achilles tendon can tear slowly, a bit at a time, or all at once.
When an Achilles ruptures, it means a tear has split the tendon apart.
This tear is often a sports related injury but it can happen to anyone.
A ruptured Achilles may be treated with or without surgery.
All treatment options require wearing a cast or boot for several weeks, followed by physical therapy for 4 – 6 months.
Surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles involves stitching the ends of the tendon back together.
A goal is to regain tendon strength.
Surgery can lessen the time a cast or boot is needed, and you may return to activity sooner than if it was not done.
The surgical incisions and techniques can vary depending on your surgeon and your injury.
Open Achilles repair surgery is done through one incision, large enough to see the split ends of the tendon to stitch them back together.
Open repairs have the lowest risk of re-rupture, the tendon coming apart after healing. They also have the highest risk of complications related to wound healing.
Some Achilles surgeries use very small incisions.
Patients have less pain and fewer problems with wound healing than with open surgery.
However, they have a higher risk of nerve injury because a nearby nerve cannot be seen when the tendon is stitched.
Achilles ruptures can heal without surgery, called non-surgical treatment.
The tendon heals naturally, supported by a cast or brace for up to 12 weeks, along with physical therapy for up to 6 months.
The healing process is slower than if surgery was done.
There is no incision with non-surgical treatment, so it has the lowest risk of wound complications.
This is important for patients that are elderly, diabetic, smokers and/or those with poor circulation.
However, it has the highest risk of re-rupture compared to surgical treatments.
Patient Education & Patient Engagement
The Achilles to be repaired is marked while you are awake.
You will be given anesthesia to keep you free of pain during the procedure.
An incision is made along the damaged tendon.
The surgeon works carefully to reach the sheath, a protective layer around the tendon.
The sheath is opened to uncover the edges of the tendon. Torn ragged fibers are trimmed to reach strong healthy tissue, cutting away as little as possible.
The surgeon weaves sutures through the tendon fibers in a pattern designed to hold with good strength.
The sutures are tied to position and hold the tendon ends together.
The sheath is repaired.
The surgical area is checked for bleeding, the skin is closed with suture, and a dressing is placed.
Patient Education & Patient Engagement
