The most common and worrisome complications following an Achilles tendon repair are problems with wound healing. The skin over the Achilles tendon sometimes does not heal well. Therefore, careful wound management is of utmost important following surgical repair of an Achilles tendon rupture. Other potential problems include infection, ankle stiffness, and rerupture of the tendon.

Overuse or repeated movements during sports, work, or other activities. In sports, a change in how long, intensely, or often you exercise, or in your environment (such as going from a flat surface to a hill or from a paved road to a dirt road) can cause microtears in the tendon that are unable to heal quickly and will eventually cause pain. Injury from repeated push-offs or a stop-and-go motion, common in such activities as running, basketball, tennis, or ballet dancing.

The surgery to treat an Achilles tendon rupture involves an incision along the back of the ankle. Usually the incision is made just to the side of midline so shoes will not rub on the site of the scar. The torn ends of the Achilles tendon are identified and strong sutures are placed in both ends of the tendon. These strong sutures are then tied together to repair the tendon.

Achilles tendon rupture is most often treated surgically to reattach the tendon to its normal position. Non operative management can be undertaken, generally people who live sedentary lifestyles or who may have problems with wound healing. Non surgical treatment of an Achilles tendon rupture is accomplished by casting the Achilles tendon for several months. In these patients, the number of re ruptures is higher compared to those patients who have surgical repair.

This is another question that is important for every patient to ask their doctor so that they fully understand the risks and potential outcomes of surgery. Many of the complications of decompression surgery have to do with opening the dura and research has shown that opening the dura does increase the complication rate. There is a risk of infection and sometimes the patch that is sewn in leaks or becomes scarred.

According the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,approximately 120,000 hip replacement operations are performed each year in the United States and less than 10 percent require further surgery. New technology and advances in surgical techniques have greatly reduced the risks involved with hip replacements. The most common problem that may happen soon after hip replacement surgery is hip dislocation.

The most catastrophic complication of a knee replacement surgery is infection. The prosthesis has to be removed and a surgery for cleaning the infection needs to be done. Heavy antibiotics are needed which are very expensive. A repeat surgery for re-implantation will turn out to be very expensive. It is also likely that the only solution is fusion of the knee. This way the knee never moves again.

Patients will be provided a discharge instructions sheet provided by the surgeon that instructs patients on how to look after their wounds, what activities they should avoid, and which exercises they should do to aid in their recovery. At a follow-up visit the surgeon will inspect the incisions, remove sutures, and discuss the rehabilitation program.

Some swelling is to be expected and it may actually increase gradually for the first two to three days. If the bandage feels tight you should re-apply it more lightly and elevate the leg to reduce the swelling. Apply ice packs for 20 to 30 minutes every few hours may help to reduce the swelling and act as pain relief as required. If it persist contact your surgeon if you have any concerns.

Weight bearing is not usually possible after tendon achilles surgery. Crutches or some form of weight support may be recommended by your surgeon depending on the operation. Once pain eases it is important to gradually increase weight bearing on the leg.

Rehabilitation following Achilles tendon repair is a controversial topic. Traditionally, patients were casted after surgery for a period of 4 to 8 weeks and after that time, patients were allowed to gently move the ankle. More recently, studies have shown that patients do well and heal faster with more rapid mobilization. If a solid repair is attainable, patients may not be casted at all, and allowed to begin motion immediately after surgery.

Exercises are very important, as most of the ankle's strength comes from the muscles surrounding it and not from the tendons or ligaments. You will not harm the ankle by doing strengthening exercises as recommended by your surgeon or physiotherapist. These should be performed according to directions.

Any sport that involves significant weight-bearing stresses or twisting movements must be avoided until approved by your surgeon. Although cartilage and ligament repair often results in a near normal ankle, the ankle does have an increased likelihood of developing arthritis in the long term, so extreme weight-bearing activities need to be modified. Exercises that have less impact on ankles include swimming, cycling and walking.

The most serious complications are severe bleeding inside the eye and infection inside the eye. Severe intraocular bleeding is said to occur once in 500 operations. In my experience with the current small-incision surgical method bleeding is much more rare than that. Serious infection is said to occur once for each 1,000 operations. In my own experience it is closer to once in 2,500 operations. Less dramatic complications, with no major vision loss, are said to occur in about 3% of operations.

With prompt medical attention, most of the complications usually can be treated successfully. Possible complications that could occur during surgery include the following:

Possible short term complications include bleeding and infection. Although rare in parotid surgery, some patients may develop a thick scar or keloid.  . In some patients, a depression or a "dent" occurs at the site of the removed tumor. Many patients experience numbness of the earlobe and outer edge of the ear after parotid surgery. This generally resolves slowly over time.

Although uncommon, complications do occur occasionally during or following Ingrown Toe Nail Surgery. They include infection, phlebitis ( inflammation of a vein), excessive swelling or bleeding, blood clots, and damage to blood vessels and nerves. There are also risks associated with the anaesthetic, both during its administration and after correction of toe surgery.

Serious complications are very uncommon following arthroscopy but can occur. These include infection, blood clots (or DVT – deep vein thrombosis), excessive swelling, bleeding and damage to blood vessels or nerves. Significant swelling, tingling or numbness in your knee/leg which is not relieved by elevating the leg for one hour. Shortness of breath or chest pain. If you experience any of the above please contact the Hospital for advice.

Like all surgical procedures, complications are always a possibility. Most complications are minor and do not threaten vision. These include undercorrection, overcorrection, and visual aberrations (glare, halos, starbursts, shadow images, double vision, etc.). It is possible for the flap to slip out of position and require repositioning or epithelial cells may grow under the flap. The incidence of these problems is about ½ of 1%.