Achilles Tendon Repair

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Achilles (ah-KIL-ez) tendon (TEN-don) repair is surgery to fix your damaged Achilles tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bones, and together with muscles, work to move your arms, legs, fingers, feet, and toes. The Achilles tendon is located at the ankle, and connects the calf muscle to heel bone. Achilles tendon repair is done to reattach a ruptured (completely torn) Achilles tendon. This may be done using an open or a mini-open surgery. In a mini-open surgery, a special device is used without making a large incision (cut) in the ankle area. A complete tendon rupture may be acute or chronic based on the duration of time from injury. Injuries that occurred within three weeks are considered as acute, and after three weeks they are chronic. Chronic injuries can only be repaired using the open surgery.
  
  
• During surgery, caregivers repair the injured Achilles tendon by sewing the ruptured ends together. A tendon or fascia (hard tissue) graft may be used to strengthen the repair. The graft may be man-made, taken from another part of your body, or from a donor. It is used mostly in chronic tendon injuries. After surgery you may need a splint or cast to protect the tendon and help it heal. You may need to do special exercises to help build the strength back in your ankles. With repair of the Achilles tendon, your regular ankle and foot movements may be returned, and normal activities restored.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
  
  

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Ask your caregiver when you should return to have your wound checked, and the stitches removed.

Physical therapy: Your caregiver may want you to go to physical therapy. A physical therapist will help you with special exercises. These exercises help make your bones and muscles stronger.

Your physical therapist may teach you special exercises to do at home. Do only the exercises advised by your caregiver and do them only as often as your caregiver suggests. Do not do more than the range of motion exercises advised by your caregiver.

Using crutches or a cane: You may need to use crutches or a cane as support when walking. These devices help decrease stress and strain on your ankle. Put only as much weight on your leg as advised by your caregiver. It is important to use crutches or a cane correctly. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to use crutches or a cane.

Wearing a brace, splint, or cast: You may need to wear an ankle brace, splint, or cast after your surgery. This will help protect your ankle and keep it from moving too much so it can heal faster. It may also help decrease pain. The brace may be locked in place for a time after surgery.

• Keep your brace in a comfortable fit. Do not apply it too tightly.
  
  
• Your caregiver may let you unlock your ankle brace during exercises that increase range of motion. This may also be done when doing non-weight bearing exercises. Ask your caregiver for more information about wearing a brace.
  
  
• Check the skin around the splint or cast everyday. You may put lotion on any red or sore areas.
  
  
• You may take a bath or shower when your caregiver says it is OK. It is important not to get the splint or cast wet. Before bathing, cover the splint or cast with two plastic trash bags. Tape the bags to your skin above the splint or cast to seal out the water. Keep your foot out of the water in case the bag breaks. If a plaster cast gets wet and soft, call your caregiver. You can dry the wet part of the cast using a hair dryer set on low or no heat.
  
  
• Do not push down or lean on the splint or cast because it may break.
  
  
• Do not scratch the skin under the splint or cast by putting a sharp or pointed object inside the splint or cast.

Wound care:

• Do not remove the bandage over your wound or get it wet unless your caregiver says it is OK. Keep the bandage clean and dry.
  
  
• Always wash your hands before and after taking care of a wound to prevent spreading infection.
  
  
• Clean the wound as often as ordered by your caregiver. If you cannot reach the wound, ask for help.
  
  
• If you have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) over the incision, do not pull them off. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves.
  
  
• Keep the stitches clean and dry. Do not trim or shorten the ends of your stitches. If they are rubbing on your clothing, you can put a soft gauze bandage between the stitches and your clothes.

For more information: Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  6300 North River Road
  Rosemont, IL 600184262
  Phone: 1-847-8237186
  Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
  

• American Physical Therapy Association
  1111 North Fairfax Street
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  Phone: 1-800-999-2782
  Web Address: http://www.apta.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have pain and swelling in your leg, ankle, or foot that is getting worse.
  
  
• Your stitches are swollen, red, or have pus coming from them.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, surgery, or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• Your cast or splint breaks, or gets wet and soft.
  
  
• Your leg, ankle, or foot feels numb, tingly, cool to the touch, or look blue or pale.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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