Achilles Tendon Repair in Kansas City

Based on the results of your interview, examination, and imaging studies, you can expect a custom care plan catered specifically to you.

Many people believe it’s best to wait until pain becomes severe, leading them to “put off” or delay treatments like Achilles tendon repair.

If you are in constant discomfort, have shooting or stabbing pains, have limited range of motion, or an inability to perform your daily activities, Achilles tendon repair may be right for you.

New technologies allow patients with severe foot and ankle pain to fully recover and enjoy the benefits of a more functional, pain-free lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you will typically receive at least 2 phone calls:

• A hospital registration representative will call to gather insurance and other personal information.
• A registered nurse will call to review your health history and medication information.

Dependent on your health history, your physician may require:

• Pre-surgical laboratory tests
• X-rays
• Primary care clearance

Pre-operative instructions will vary depending on your physician and the location of your surgery. Always check with your physician before surgery for specific instructions.

Most physicians require that patients not eat or drink after midnight prior to surgery.

Additionally, you will need to designate a family member or friend to drive you home on the day you are released from the hospital. Surgical patients cannot drive themselves home.

If you schedule your surgery with a KCOA physician, you can expect the following on surgery day: 

• A receptionist will check you in at the hospital registration desk.
• A nurse will take you back and prepare you for surgery. They will start an IV, prepare the surgical site, and review your medical history and medications.
• Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you prior to your operation.
• The surgical team will take you to the operation suite for surgery.

If your Achilles tendon is completely ruptured or torn, your provider may recommend surgery to repair the issue. As part of the procedure, your surgeon may stitch the tendon back together, remove the damaged parts of the tendon, or replace part or all of the tendon.

There are some instances where an Achilles tendon repair surgery can be minimally invasive. Rather than one large incision, our surgeons can perform several small incisions and even use a special scope and camera for the repair. The type of repair performed is dependent on the severity of the injury, the patient’s goals and the physician’s unique perspective on how to best manage the injury.

During Achilles tendon surgery, you will require you to remain under anesthesia during the procedure. During the surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in the back of the calf. If the tendon is ruptured, the surgeon will either stitch the tendon back together using sutures or anchor the torn tendon back to the heel.

If the tendon is degenerated, the surgeon may remove the damaged part of the tendon and repair the rest of the tendon with sutures. If there is severe damage to a significant portion of the tendon, the surgeon might replace part or all of your Achilles tendon. This is done by transferring a tendon from another location in your foot to act as a graft or to reinforce the damaged area.

After your surgery, you will remain in the recovery room while our experienced clinical team monitors you, providing pain relief medication, if needed. You can expect soreness, swelling and discoloration in the foot and ankle in the days and weeks following surgery.

You will likely be placed in a boot or cast to immobilize your foot and instructed on how to use crutches or a walker to decrease the force being placed through the leg. The period of immobilization and limited weight-bearing is dependent on the extent of your injury and your physician’s guidance.

Rest, ice, and elevation will also be critical during your early recovery. Some people may also need support stockings as well to prevent blood clots from forming. When showering, you should take proper incision care measures as instructed.

Physical therapy and rehab will start based on your provider’s discretion and will be extremely helpful in your recovery process. It may take 6-12 months to fully recover from an Achilles rupture and repair.

We recommend regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic. In doing so, you may reduce the amount of stress on your joints to slow down any potential degenerative process.