Based in the heart of NY, Advance Foot and Ankle Solutions offers the best facility for performing Achilles reconstruction, while catering to all other various foot and ankle problems. Look no further when you can have direct access to the globally acclaimed specialist team of foot and ankle surgeons, supervising & managing your Achilles reconstruction with diligence and dedication.
Advance Foot and Ankle Solutions support team is absolutely attentive to your requirements related to Achilles reconstruction. Call & book an appointment right away for professionally diagnosed, treated and empathetically cured foot and ankle issues, to lead a wholesome, enviable lifestyle.
How Problematic Achilles Ruptures Can Be
The foot being the lowest body part is confronted with the most difficult of all physical body functions, i.e. to support the entire living body mass throughout our lifespan. To achieve this end the foot alone is provided with such a bony framework that should perfectly compensate for the needful. For smooth & normal performance the foot is amply supplied with ligaments and tendons as connective tissues that are tough, resistant and strong so as to fortify the entire foot structure.
The human foot comprises of several tendons, but the one that is prone to the most damage is the Achilles tendon, lying posteriorly to the calf muscle and extending up to the upper part of the heel. This tendon is the largest, toughest, strongest and the most versatile connective structure within the body. It plays a major role in the overall working of the foot, not denying the fact that any noticeable harm or injury to it can seriously affect your whole life.
Achilles tendon rupture treatment is often quite extensive requiring months at stretch for complete healing. The tendon rupture usually needs to be examined by a tendon rupture doctor whose advice to seek further assistance from a tendon rupture specialist or directly going with the option of a reformative tendon rupture surgery is to be followed in strict accordance. Any neglect at the very onset of the tendon rupture episode might prove quite a heavy price to pay in terms of physical wellbeing in the posttraumatic phase.
Factors Causing Achilles Ruptures
Irrespective of the factors that give rise to Achilles tendon ruptures, the first and foremost indication of its damage is the feeling of pain and visually detectable inflammation around the affected area called Achilles tendonitis. The probable factors of this anomaly can be enumerated as below:
- Overuse due to naturally stiff & inflexible calf muscles
- Undue Exertion while speeding up rapidly during walking, jogging or running
- Running Up Or Ascending steep places and stairs
- Sudden Contraction of the calf muscles causing trauma
- Improper Footwear Or Walking Gait with a tendency to exert weight abnormally to one side of an erect body
- Inadequate Pauses for foot relaxation & warm-up during stiff workout or laborious activities
- Certain Diseases such as gout or hyperparathyroidism
- Blood Group presence such as type “O” blood
The Core Signs & Symptoms Of Achilles Repair
Achilles rupture effects usually surface with a mildly aching affected area following exercise or some strenuous activity that gradually worsens. Other post-pain symptoms are listed below:
- Usually Excruciating Achilles Tendon Rupture Pain that is recurring & localized along the entire tendon length
- Mild to severe Edema (Swelling) in the affected area
- Wake-Up Stiffness that diminishes gradually with the warmth of usage
- Early Morning Tenderness about an inch above the connective point of the Achilles to the heel bone
- Restricted Leg Movement that often causes lethargic attitude
The Diagnostic Procedure Of Ruptured Achilles Tendon
The diagnostic approach employed by your podiatric specialist at their orthopedic clinic for managing Achilles tendon repair would follow the following sequence:
- Taking Down Patient’s History
- Examining The Foot & Ankle Area That Suggests A Tear
- Performing Calf Squeeze Test
- Evaluating & Comparing The Range Of Motion Against The Healthy Side
Achilles Reconstruction Methodology
Both types of treatment regimens are at your orthopedic physician’s disposal, the conservative as well as surgical, to bring about Achilles tendon repair. Here, we restrict our discussion to the surgical approach that brings about the reconstruction of a torn Achilles tendon to let you acquire relief from its discomforting symptoms and debilitating effect.
The Surgical Approach
The nonsurgical procedure happens to be the mode of tendon rupture treatment at its least level where tendon rupture surgery can best be prevented within the confines & comfort of your home. In events where tendon rupture injuries are moderate to severe causing partially or completely torn tissue, a tendon reconstruction surgeon would go for an immediate tendon reconstruction surgery to avoid permanent disability as a consequence of dislocation. The procedure goes as follows:
- The surgical rebuilding of an acute or chronic Achilles tendon rupture generally occurs in an outpatient setting, allowing patient to leave for home the same day as the operation.
- Numbing medicine in the form of anesthesia is often administered into the leg around the nerves to help decrease postoperative pain.
- The open repair begins with an incision made on the back of the lower leg starting just above the heel bone and the lower end of calf muscle.
- The parts of the damaged tendon are removed or the two ends of the ruptured tendon are sewn together with sutures, closing the incision.
- As an alternative, your surgeon may remove another tendon from your foot to replace part or all of the damaged Achilles tendon, bringing about its re-formation.
- Your surgeon would carry out other repairs that are needed.
- The refabrication of an acute rupture often takes somewhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour to complete.
- The rebuilding procedure of a chronic rupture can take longer depending on the steps performed to fix the tendon fully.
Another benign condition of the Achilles tendon is termed “Xanthomas”, small lumps of cholesterol deposited within the tendon that become visually evident upon exertion of stress, as small spherical swellings or nodules. For their treatment, a biopsy of the lesion (abnormal outgrowth) is usually carried out leaving the lumps intact.
The Contraindications Of Surgical Reconstruction
Patients suffering from a ruptured or damaged Achilles tendon should avoid the surgical procedure under the following set of conditions:
- Active Bacterial Infection Or Unhealthy Skin at or around the Achilles tendon rupture site
- Your own Physical Health Condition unable to afford the surgical process
- Your Diabetic Condition
- Your Smoking Habit
- Your Sedentary Lifestyle
- Usage Of Steroids in any form
- Your Inability To Follow postoperative instructions
The Potential Complications
The potential complications of Achilles tendon re-formation surgery include:
- Bacterial Infection In The Wound
- Damage To Nerves & Blood Vessels
- Excessive Bleeding
- Blood Clot Formation
- A Bad Reaction To The Anesthesia
- Stiffness & Numbness Near The Incision Due To Nerve Injury
- Delayed Wound Healing
- Possible Occurrence Of A Re-rupture
- Possible Scarring Of The Tendon
- Possible Thickening Of The Surgical Scar
The Preventive Measures That Matter
- Keeping To & Maintaining Normal Body weight through controlled diet plans for minimal weight exertion to do away with tendon ruptures within the foot
- Adopting A Normal Walking Or Running Gait without leaning to either sides of the erect physique to attain the ideal stance
- Taking Adequate Pauses between strenuous workouts & industrious tasks to allow the overstressed tendons respite & revitalizing intervals
- Selecting & Wearing Footgear that is cozy & comfortable to the level of being supportive & relaxing to sensitive foot zones to keep tendon rupture issues yonder