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Achilles Tendons
WHAT IS AN ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR PROCEDURE?
An Achilles Tendon Repair is a surgical procedure to rejoin a severed or part severed Achilles Tendon together. The Achilles Tendon is an essential tendon for mobility and stability in the lower limb as it enables you to point your foot in a downwards direction and raise your heal upwards when the calf muscle (Gastrocnemius) contracts. It is therefore an essential ligament for walking, running and standing on tiptoes and especially important for sports.
WHY IS AN ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR PERFORMED?
A severed Achilles Tendon is most unlikely to repair of its own accord without surgical intervention, The reason for this is that the Achilles Tendon is one of the strongest tissues in the body and once it is severed it contracts and shortens quickly, making a successful repair more challenging the longer it is not treated. As an Achilles tear is typically sustained during sport the majority of repairs are performed on male patients between the age range of 20 and 50 years who have good motivation for wanting to regain full function of their Achilles Tendon.
WHY IS AN ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR PERFORMED?
A severed Achilles Tendon is most unlikely to repair of its own accord without surgical intervention, The reason for this is that the Achilles Tendon is one of the strongest tissues in the body and once it is severed it contracts and shortens quickly, making a successful repair more challenging the longer it is not treated. As an Achilles tear is typically sustained during sport the majority of repairs are performed on male patients between the age range of 20 and 50 years who have good motivation for wanting to regain full function of their Achilles Tendon.
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 the procedure patients are positioned on their front on an operating table and the effected limb and foot is stretched into a pointed toe position. A vertical cut is then made down the back of the heal and the two ruptured ligament ends are brought together and sewn securely back in place. At the end of the procedure the vertical wound on the back of the heal is usually closed with traditional stitches and a simple dressing, followed by a plaster cast from knee to toe to hold the foot in a pointed toe position (the optimum position to rest the newly repaired tendon).
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY 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 to avoid complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis 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 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 any pain.
After ten days patients return to hospital to have their stitches removed and the original cast removed and replaced with a more lightweight cast, which will then remain in place for another six weeks. Over the next six weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity and walking distances. Your Consultant Surgeon will then remove your plaster cast, assess your condition and joints range of movement and evaluate how successful the tendon 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 intense physiotherapy and rehabilitation patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take between six to nine months to achieve.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR SURGERY?
Although Achilles Repair surgery is regularly performed without any complications occurring, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking such surgery as well as the increased risk of a further Achilles Tendon rupture. All surgery, no matter how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.
HOW DO I FIND OUT IF I AM A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR AN AHILLES TENDON REPAIR?
At NW Specialist Clinic our Consultant Surgeons will carry out a full evaluation of your individual needs and circumstances, provide you with a comprehensive verbal and written explanation of your condition and recommend the most appropriate solution to improve your condition. Our expert Consultant Surgeons understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating a repair procedure. Throughout your consultation you will 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.
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