The Achilles Tendon is a top contender for the most crucial tendon in the body. The calcaneus is linked to the calf muscles by this tendon (heel bone). The main thing the Achilles tendon does is bend the foot down toward the ground. Some common problems are tendinopathy, tears, and ruptures.

A rupture can happen if you fall from a height, forcefully plantar flex your ankle (like when you jump with your knee straight), or use your foot to stop your fall if you stumble. Clinically, they have a gap that can be felt, more passive dorsiflexion, can't lift their heels, and pass the Thompson Test. A torn Achilles tendon can be treated without surgery with a cast or with surgery to repair the tendon.

Why might I need surgery to fix my Achilles tendon?

If you tore your Achilles tendon, you might need surgery. When the Achilles tendon tears, surgery is often the best option.

But sometimes, your doctor may suggest that you try other treatments first. Some of these might be painkillers or a temporary cast that keeps your leg from moving. And if you have specific health problems, your doctor may not recommend surgery. Some of these are diabetes and nerve damage in your legs.

Or, if you have tendinopathy, you might need surgery to fix your Achilles tendon. But most of the time, there are other ways to treat the tendinopathy. Some of these are letting your foot rest, using ice and painkillers, and using a brace or something else to keep your foot from moving. Help can also come from physical therapy. If your symptoms don't go away after a few months, your doctor might suggest surgery.

Depending on what's wrong with you, surgery on your Achilles tendon might help. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the risks and benefits of your choices.

What are the risks of surgery to fix a torn Achilles tendon?

Risks come with every surgery. Some of the dangers of repairing the Achilles tendon are:

• Too much bleeding

• Nerve damage

• Infection

• Blood clot

• Wound healing problems

• Weakness in the calf

• Problems from the anaesthesia

• Ongoing foot and ankle pain

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Your risks may depend on the shape of your foot, your age, leg muscles and tendons, your general health, and the type of surgery done. Talk to your doctor or nurse about anything that worries you. They can tell you which risks are most likely to happen to you.

How do I get ready for surgery to fix my Achilles tendon?

Talk to your doctor or nurse about how to get ready for your surgery. Tell your doctor or nurse about every medicine you take. This includes medicines that you can buy over the counter, like aspirin. Some medicines, like those that thin the blood, may need to be stopped ahead of time. You must give up smoking before having surgery. Smoking can delay healing. If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your doctor or nurse.

You might need imaging tests before your surgery. Some of these are ultrasound, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The night before your surgery, don't eat or drink anything after midnight. Tell your doctor if your health has changed, like a fever.

To help you get better, you may need to make some changes at home because you won't be able to walk normally on your foot for a while—plan on getting a ride home from the hospital.

What goes on during surgery to fix an Achilles tendon?

There are a few ways to do surgery on the Achilles tendon. An orthopaedic surgeon and a team of other specialists perform the surgery. Ask your doctor or nurse what will happen during your surgery. The operation could take a few hours.

• You might get spinal anaesthesia during your surgery. This is so that nothing will bother you below the waist. You may also be given medicine to help you sleep. This will help you fall asleep during the operation.

• During the surgery, a doctor or nurse will monitor your vital signs, such as your heart rate and blood pressure.

• The doctor will cut through your calf's skin and the muscle. The surgeon will make a minor cut if you have minimally invasive surgery. Then, they might use a tiny camera with a light to help with the surgery.

•Your doctor will cut a hole in the sheath that covers the tendon. They will cut out damaged parts of your tendon or fix the tear.

•Your foot surgeon may take out another tendon. Then, part or all of the Achilles tendon is replaced with this.

• Your doctor will fix anything else that needs fixing.

• Your doctor or nurse will use sutures to close the layers of skin and muscle around your calf.