Introduction
Achilles tendon injuries limit mobility but are treatable. Expert care at New Jersey Foot Surgeons can restore your movement and help you regain an active lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
- The Achilles tendon is a crucial structure that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, enabling essential movements like walking, running, and jumping.
- Achilles tendon injuries often result from overuse, sudden increases in activity, wearing improper footwear, or experiencing trauma such as falls or collisions.
- Tendon injuries manifest in various forms, including inflammation (tendinitis), chronic tissue degeneration (tendinosis), partial tears, or complete ruptures, each requiring specific care.
- Treatment for Achilles tendon injuries may involve non-surgical approaches or surgical repair, depending on the severity and type of injury.
- Surgical procedures range from open repairs to minimally invasive techniques, ensuring precise reconnection of torn tendons for effective recovery.
- Post-surgery care is vital for healing and includes immobilization, targeted physical therapy to restore strength and mobility, and regular follow-ups to monitor progress.
- Expert care at New Jersey Foot Surgeons combines advanced surgical methods and personalized rehabilitation plans, ensuring a safe and successful return to an active lifestyle.
Don’t let Achilles tendon injuries hold you back. Call New Jersey Foot Surgeons today at (732)-320-9173 to book an appointment and take the first step toward recovery.
What is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is the strongest and largest tendon in the human body. It connects the calf muscles—gastrocnemius and soleus—to the calcaneus (heel bone). This tendon plays a critical role in movements such as walking, running, jumping, and even standing on tiptoes. Because of its constant use and high-stress exposure, the Achilles tendon is prone to injury, especially among athletes and active individuals.
Common Causes of Achilles Tendon Injuries
Several factors contribute to Achilles tendon injuries. Understanding these causes can help in prevention and treatment.
- Overuse: Continuous strain from activities like running, jumping, and high-impact sports can weaken the tendon fibers, leading to inflammation or degeneration over time.
- Sudden Increase in Activity: A rapid escalation in exercise intensity, frequency, or duration without proper conditioning or warm-up can overload the tendon, increasing the risk of injury.
- Improper Footwear: Wearing unsupportive shoes, jogging barefoot on hard surfaces, or using old, worn-out sneakers can alter foot mechanics, placing excessive stress on the Achilles tendon.
- Accidents and Trauma: Direct impact, such as falls or collisions, can lead to partial or complete ruptures of the tendon.
- Underlying Conditions: Health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or certain medications like fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been linked to an increased risk of Achilles tendon injuries.
- Age and Activity Level: Middle-aged men engaging in recreational sports such as tennis, basketball, and badminton are at higher risk of sudden Achilles tendon ruptures due to reduced flexibility and strength.
Types of Achilles Tendon Injuries
- Tendinitis: An inflammatory condition caused by overuse, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. Symptoms often worsen in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Tendinosis: A chronic condition where the tendon degenerates due to inadequate healing. Unlike tendinitis, tendinosis is not primarily inflammatory but results in thickening, stiffness, and persistent pain.
- Partial Tear: This occurs when only a portion of the tendon is torn, leading to swelling, weakness, and difficulty walking or pushing off the affected foot.
- Complete Rupture: A severe injury where the tendon completely detaches from the heel bone, making it impossible to rise onto the toes or walk normally. This injury often requires surgical intervention.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Achilles Tendon Rupture
A ruptured Achilles tendon typically presents with:
• A sudden, sharp pain in the back of the ankle (often described as feeling like a “pop” or “snap”)
• Swelling and bruising around the heel
• Difficulty pushing off the foot or standing on tiptoes
• A visible gap or indentation where the tendon has torn
Thompson Test for Diagnosis: A simple physical test where the calf muscle is squeezed while the patient lies on their stomach. If the foot fails to move, it indicates a complete Achilles tendon rupture.
What happens during an Achilles tendon repair?
Achilles tendon repair is performed under general or regional anesthesia. A 3-5 cm incision is made at the back of the ankle to access the torn tendon. The surgeon cleans and stitches the tendon ends together. If severely damaged, a tendon from the leg may be used for reinforcement. The wound is then closed, and a local anesthetic is applied for pain relief. The foot is placed in a plaster cast with toes pointed downward to aid healing.
Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery at New Jersey Foot Surgeons
Indications for Surgery
Surgery is typically recommended for:
- Complete Ruptures: The non-surgical treatment options are not adequate for total tendon breakage.
- Severe Partial Tears: In cases where other traditional treatment methods do not help to solve a problem.
- Chronic Tendon Issues: Some of the Conditions that may require surgical intervention include Major medical conditions that do not heal even with conservative treatment.
Pre-Surgery Evaluation
At our practice, we begin with a comprehensive evaluation, including:
- Medical History Review: You know about your health history and prior ailments or injuries that you have had in your lifetime.
- Physical Examination: Another factor is the duration taken to discover the true state of the injury, in combination with the discovery of the fake degree.
- Imaging Studies: Caring out an ultrasound, MRI scan, or X-ray to obtain a clear picture of the affected tendon.
Surgical Techniques
Our surgeons use the most effective medical procedures which are adapted to the necessary for every patient. Common procedures include:
- Open Surgery: Old fashioned technique where a long slip incision is made to get to the tendon and fix it.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: It is less invasive as it requires the use of small incisions to minimize the time that is taken to heal fully, and the scarring is also minimal.
- Percutaneous Repair: Performs reconstruction in small portions as part of minimally invasive surgery.
The Surgical Procedure
- Anesthesia: Used to ensure that the patients are not in pain while going through procedures that are administered to them.
- Incision: Located in the center of the lower limb, at the back of the knee.
- Tendon Repair: They bring the cut ends of the tendon together and suture them. Surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture often involves using sutures to reattach the severed ends, but on some occasions, other tendons or artificial materials may have to be employed for reinforcement.
- Closure: Surgical procedures may be done, or the incision closed, and the leg immobilized in a cast or brace.
Post-Surgery Care
Recovery is a critical phase of the treatment, and we provide comprehensive postoperative care, including:
- Immobilization: For instance, the affected foot is placed in a cast or brace to facilitate the healing process.
- Physical Therapy: Although in some ways they are restricted, mobility is critical for regaining strength and flexibility. As professional Gate ministers, our therapists get to understand you as an individual and design a rehabilitation program suited to your preference.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Vigilantly patient follow-up to check on the healing progress and management of any complications.
Conclusion
Achilles tendon injuries can be challenging, but full recovery is achievable with proper attention and specialized medical care. At New Jersey Foot Surgeons, Dr. Nick Argerakis, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, leads our team with exceptional expertise. His advanced surgical skills and patient-focused approach ensure optimal care and successful outcomes for each patient.
With extensive experience in treating complex Achilles tendon injuries, Dr. Argerakis combines cutting-edge techniques with personalized treatment plans, including integrated physical therapy, to promote effective healing and restore mobility. If you’re experiencing Achilles tendon pain, trust Dr. Argerakis and our team to guide you on your path to recovery.
