Achilles Tendonitis Treatment
Achilles tendonitis treatment includes:
- Limiting physical activity involving the leg
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physical therapy and strengthening exercises
- Orthotic devices in the shoes
If you added intensity to your workouts, get back to your workout routine gradually and warm up properly to prevent recurrence of your injury. If pain persists for six months or more, and non-surgical treatments fail to alleviate symptoms, surgery may be required to repair the tendonitis.
Achilles Tendon Surgery
Your doctor may recommend Achilles tendon surgery after non-surgical treatment options fail or when the tendon is ruptured.
During Achilles tendon surgery, your doctor will make an incision on the back of the leg and repair the tendon. This procedure sometimes includes using other tendons to reinforce the Achilles tendon.
There are two types of Achilles tendon surgeries:
- Open surgery- The surgeon makes one large incision in the back of the ankle.
- Percutaneous surgery- the surgeon repairs the tendon from many small incisions around the ankle.
Achilles tendon surgery recovery
After Achilles tendon surgery, you can expect to be in a cast or walking boot for six to 12 weeks. Gradually, you may return to physical activity. Typically, a full recovery time after Achilles tendon surgery is about six months.