Debridement of the Achilles Tendon
WHAT IS DEBRIDEMENT OF THE ACHILLES TENDON?
Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel.
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, and jump.
Although the Achilles tendon can withstand great stresses from running and jumping, it is also prone to tendinitis, a condition associated with overuse and degeneration.
Surgery should be considered to relieve Achilles tendinitis only if the pain does not improve after 6 months of nonsurgical treatment. The specific type of surgery depends on the location of the tendinitis and the amount of damage to the tendon.
Débridement of the Achilles tendon is a procedure that removes damaged tissue in the area. Depending on the amount of tissue that has been damaged, this surgery includes the use of either sutures/stitches or a tendon transfer to repair the tendon. Do not confuse the Achilles tendon with the Peroneal Tendon.
TREATMENT FOR DEBRIDEMENT OF THE ACHILLES TENDON
There are two débridement of the Achilles tendon treatments:
Débridement and repair (tendon has less than 50% damage). The goal of this operation is to remove the damaged part of the Achilles tendon. Once the unhealthy portion of the tendon has been removed, the remaining tendon is repaired with sutures or stitches to complete the repair.
In insertional tendinitis, the bone spur is also removed. Repair of the tendon in these instances may require the use of metal or plastic anchors to help hold the Achilles tendon to the heel bone, where it attaches.
Débridement with tendon transfer (tendon has greater than 50% damage). In cases where more than 50% of the Achilles tendon is not healthy and requires removal, the remaining portion of the tendon is not strong enough to function alone. To prevent the remaining tendon from rupturing with activity, an Achilles tendon transfer is performed. The tendon that helps the big toe point down is moved to the heel bone to add strength to the damaged tendon. Although this sounds severe, the big toe will still be able to move, and most patients will not notice a change in the way they walk or run.
RECOVERY TIME FOR THE DEBRIDEMENT OF THE ACHILLES TENDON
Most patients have good results from surgery. The main factor in surgical recovery is the amount of damage to the tendon. The greater the amount of tendon involved, the longer the recovery period, and the less likely a patient will be able to return to sports activity.
After débridement and repair, most patients are allowed to walk in a removable boot or cast within 2 weeks, although this period depends upon the amount of damage to the tendon.
Depending on the extent of damage to the tendon, some patients may not be able to return to competitive sports or running after a débridement with tendon transfer.
Physical therapy is an important part of recovery. Many patients require 12 months of rehabilitation before they are pain-free.
