Treatment

Treatment for Achilles tendon ruptures can be surgical or nonsurgical.

• Surgery. The usual treatment for a complete rupture of an Achilles tendon is surgery. The procedure generally involves making an incision in the back of your lower leg and stitching the torn tendon together. Afterward, you'll need to spend about six to 12 weeks with your leg in a walking boot, cast, brace or splint. To prevent healing of the tendon in a stretched position, which would render it useless, your foot may initially be pointed slightly downward in the boot or brace, and then moved gradually to a neutral position.

• Nonsurgical treatment. This approach typically involves wearing a cast or walking boot, which allows the ends of your torn tendon to reattach themselves on their own. This method can be effective, and it avoids the risks, such as infection, associated with surgery. However, the likelihood of re-rupture is higher with a nonsurgical approach, and recovery can take longer.

Surgical repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon is usually preferable, especially if you're active and want to resume strenuous recreational activities. Surgery is generally very effective, and your risk of complications is typically quite low.

Treatment for bursitis and tendinitis of the Achilles tendon is usually a combination of self-care measures. Rarely is surgery necessary. Cortisone injections for these conditions may help some people, but repeated injections may be associated with increased risk of rupture of the tendon.

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