Achilles Tendon Repair
Achilles tendon rupture care with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — surgical repair or a non-surgical boot program for a torn Achilles, and the long rehab that follows either way.
Call 520-881-1394Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
What it treats
The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and lets you push off, run, jump, and rise onto your toes.
- A tear usually happens when the calf is stretched suddenly, such as landing from a jump or cutting in sports
- Many people hear or feel a pop, like being kicked in the back of the leg, followed by pain and swelling near the heel
- It becomes hard to walk normally or stand on your toes
- Most tears happen in the middle of the tendon, about 2½ inches above the heel, where the blood supply is poorer; some pull off the heel bone
Steroid injections near the tendon, certain antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin), and some chronic diseases can weaken the tendon.
Is surgery right for you?
Both surgery and non-surgical treatment are reasonable options for a complete tear. The choice is personal and depends on your age, activity level, job, and health.
- Non-surgical treatment — a boot, splint, or cast with the toes pointed down so the tendon ends heal together, crutches or a scooter at first, and plan on at least 6 weeks in a boot, followed by physical therapy
- Surgery is often recommended for competitive athletes and people who rely on jumping and pushing off; some studies show better push-off strength and fewer re-tears after surgery, though research is ongoing
- Small partial tears usually do well without surgery
If you choose surgery, it works best done soon after the injury, before the tendon ends shorten and scar.
How the surgery is done
Achilles repair is usually an outpatient procedure, done with a regional block that numbs the leg or with general anesthesia.
- Mid-tendon tears — the torn ends are sewn together with strong stitches; some techniques use smaller, minimally invasive incisions
- Tears off the heel bone — the tendon is reattached to the heel with anchors placed in the bone
- Older tears — if the tendon has shortened, donor tissue may be needed to bridge the gap
Risks include infection, wound healing problems, nerve irritation, blood clots, and re-tearing the tendon.
Protect the incision
The skin over the Achilles is thin, so wound healing matters. Keep the leg elevated, keep the dressing clean and dry, and do not smoke.
Skin stitches are usually removed at an office visit several weeks after surgery.
Recovery overview
Typical ranges only, based on AAOS OrthoInfo patient education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
Weeks 0–6
- Cast, splint, or boot with the toes pointed down; follow your weight-bearing instructions exactly
- Elevate the leg to control swelling
- Stitches are removed several weeks after surgery, and a cast, splint, or boot is usually replaced
- Expect roughly 6 weeks of immobilization
After about 6 weeks
- The boot is gradually reduced
- Physical therapy restores ankle motion without overstretching the healing tendon
- Walking becomes more normal over time
Months 3–24
- Strengthening builds push-off power
- Complete recovery takes about 12 months; some people need closer to 2 years to reach all their goals
- Some loss of calf strength is common, but most people return to work, daily activities, and their previous level of activity
When to call the clinic
Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:
- A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
- Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
- Toes or a foot that turn pale, blue, or cold, or numbness or tingling in the leg or foot that does not go away once the anesthesia has worn off
- A cast, splint, or boot that feels too tight: throbbing pain, swelling, or numbness under it that does not ease after you raise your leg above your heart. Do not cut or remove a cast yourself
- Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, elevation, ice, and rest
- Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the calf that is new or getting worse
- A new pop in the back of the heel, or suddenly being unable to push off, which can mean the tendon has torn again
It is normal for the leg to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a while, and for it to feel numb or weak until a nerve block or spinal anesthetic wears off. Use your crutches, walker, or boot as directed and follow your weight-bearing instructions exactly. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.
for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.
If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.
Related resources
Physical therapy locations
Find a physical therapy clinic near you in Tucson and Oro Valley.
Open pageExercise guides
Printable home exercise programs to use with your physical therapist.
Open pagePost-op packets
Dr. Ward’s post-operative instructions and packets, organized by joint.
Open pageOrthoInfo: Achilles tendon rupture
Patient education on Achilles tendon tears from the AAOS.
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