Find Heel Pain Relief with Achilles Tendon Surgery in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV

Achilles tendon surgery repairs the the largest tendon in your body, located at the back of your heel. Tendons are thick cords of connective tissue that anchor muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscle to your heel bone. 

Call (702) 616-4900 or find an orthopedic surgeon at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals with expertise in Achilles tendon surgery in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.

Surgery for Heel Pain & Achilles Tendonitis Treatment

Achilles tendon surgery may be necessary if the damaged tendon is interfering with your ability to be active. The tendon may be completely torn (Achilles tendon rupture) or only partially torn. Your doctor may recommend Achilles tendon surgery if nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy don’t help within six months. The goal is to restore your ability to push off with your heel without pain and reduce the risk of repeat injury.

What to Expect from Achilles Tendon Surgery at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Achilles tendon surgery is performed by orthopedic surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons, usually as an outpatient procedure. The surgery usually involves general anesthesia. Your doctor uses either a minimally invasive procedure with a few small incisions or open technique with a single incision. The surgery can take an hour or more depending on the number of steps in the procedure. Risks include:

• Continued pain
• Blood vessel injury
• Thickening of the surgical scar
• Nerve injury causing numbness or burning on the outside of the foot
• Delayed wound healing
• Scarring of the tendon
• Repeat rupture of the same tendon
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Blood clots

Talk with your doctor about ways to reduce your risks.

Recovering from Achilles Tendon Surgery

You will have to wear a cast on your foot after surgery. It usually comes off after two weeks when your doctor checks your incision. After the cast comes off, most patients will wear a walking boot for several weeks. Most people can begin full weight bearing on the foot after six weeks. 

Physical therapy is an key part of your recovery. It will help restore range of motion to your ankle and strengthen your calf muscle. Depending on the amount of tendon damage, it generally takes about six months to a year to return to full activity. The greater the damage, the longer the recovery and less likely it is to return to full activity.

Most people have good results from Achilles tendon surgery. It’s common for leg strength to be slightly less than it was before the injury. However, the surgery is usually successful in returning people to an active life.