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.

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.

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.

Most people can return to work the next day, although strenuous activity or lifting heavy weights must be avoided for seven days after surgery.

It depends on the individual and whether there are other health problems needing attention. Most people leave the hospital the day after their initial implant - or a few hours after a replacement surgery. The wound should heal in a couple weeks. You can reduce the scarring by using an aloe and vitamin E solution after your wound is sealed. Besides inserting the ICD into your body they also had to run 1 or more leads (wires) from the device into your heart.

The children are placed in short leg casts at the time of surgery; these casts will be on for up to six weeks. The children should keep their feet elevated for the first 48 hours and/or up to one week after surgery to decrease swelling and pain. They may walk on these casts and most children feel well enough to be up on their feet in three of four days.

This depends on the procedure being performed, but in the case of arthroscopic meniscectomy, which is the commonest procedure, you will generally be able to walk unaided the same day. Your doctor will recommend that you take at least four to five days off work. The time needed will depend on the type of work that you do, and people with physically demanding jobs may be advised to take a minimum of two weeks off work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

to be expected, recovery will vary from person to person and will depend in part on a person's overall health and fitness before the surgery. Barring any complications, some people recover from a successful surgery in a few weeks, others take a few months, and others may take more than a year. Your doctor may suggest a physical rehabilitation program to regain strength and flexibility in your neck and may refer you to a physiatrist - a doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

In general most of our patients are ready to go home the same day. In cases of more extensive procedures an overnight stay is reasonable for observation but still the majority of those patients will go home the next day. Recovery is fast and most patients are able to resume their regular activities (including work) within 1-2 weeks. That is much faster than the usual 4-6 weeks of recovery after open abdominal surgery.

The amount of surgery required and recovery time will depend on the joint problem. Recovery time varies markedly from patient to patient.