Causes
How We Can Help You for Achilles Tendon Tear
For any Achilles tendon tear, our doctors offer the complete spectrum of treatment options. We always emphasize the least invasive, most advanced approach possible to meet the unique needs of each patient.
The goal of our team is to help safely and effectively relieve the symptoms of a partial or complete Achilles rupture. These may include pain when walking or the inability to walk at all, swelling, bruising, burning, and more. Our other important goal of treatment is to restore function as fully as possible to the torn tendon.
Members of our team include orthopaedic and sports medicine specialists, surgeons, colleagues from physical therapy, and others. Working together closely, they develop a care plan that may range from a cast or splint to advanced surgical procedures.
In addition, Stanford Health Care patients with an Achilles tendon tear may have opportunities to join research studies of new treatments not yet available anywhere else.
What We Offer You for an Achilles Tendon Tear
- Specialized expertise from one of the world’s leading programs focused on treating Achilles tendon tears and all other orthopaedic conditions.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together highly experienced specialists who create a comprehensive care plan personalized to your unique needs.
- Advanced treatment options, always emphasizing the least invasive approaches possible but also providing state-of-the-art surgery whenever needed.
- Full support that includes care planning and follow-up as well as strategies to prevent Achilles tendon tears from getting worse or reoccurring.
- Clinical trial opportunities to join research studies of new innovations in the treatment of Achilles tendon tears.
- Ease of access with highly trained specialists conveniently located close to where you work or live.
Treatments for an Achilles Tendon Tear
Your Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. It runs along the back of your ankle, connecting your heel to your calf muscles. This tendon absorbs stress as you move your foot and leg, especially when you play sports or run.
Your Achilles can rupture (tear) partially or completely. In a partial tear, bits of the tendon fray and separate. A ruptured Achilles completely splits into two pieces. Most Achilles tendon tears happen during sports, among men who are 30 to 50 years old.
Our orthopaedic doctors carefully check your tendon and recommend the right treatment for you. Most people need surgery to reconnect the tendon. As you recover, our physical therapists help you regain your strength and range of motion.
Our orthopaedic team assesses your Achilles tendon tear and provides expert surgery repair to get you moving again.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Surgery
Treatment for a partial Achilles tendon tear is similar to treatment for other Achilles tendon injuries. Your doctor may recommend temporarily immobilizing the tendon by wearing a cast or splint for eight to 12 weeks. The cast holds your Achilles tendon still while it heals, and you’ll use crutches to keep weight off your foot.
Your doctor may recommend Achilles tendon repair surgery, especially if you are young or middle-aged. If your tendon has severe damage, our orthopaedic surgeons can replace your Achilles tendon with a tendon from your foot.
Our orthopaedic surgeons stitch your tendon back together during an outpatient procedure, meaning that you go home the same day. When possible, our doctors do minimally invasive Achilles repair surgery, with very small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery can result in less pain, less bleeding, and a faster recovery.
What to Expect
Most people recover fully after Achilles tendon surgery. After surgery, you wear a cast or boot while your tendon heals. Torn Achilles recovery time can last six months to a year. When you have recovered completely, you should be able to return to playing sports.
Physical therapy (rehabilitation) helps you recover from an Achilles tear. Our Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic can help you regain your strength and range of motion.
Treatment for a partial Achilles tendon tear is similar to treatment for other Achilles tendon injuries. Your doctor may recommend temporarily immobilizing the tendon by wearing a cast or splint for eight to 12 weeks. The cast holds your Achilles tendon still while it heals, and you’ll use crutches to keep weight off your foot.
close Nonsurgical Treatment
Your doctor may recommend Achilles tendon repair surgery, especially if you are young or middle-aged. If your tendon has severe damage, our orthopaedic surgeons can replace your Achilles tendon with a tendon from your foot.
Our orthopaedic surgeons stitch your tendon back together during an outpatient procedure, meaning that you go home the same day. When possible, our doctors do minimally invasive Achilles repair surgery, with very small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery can result in less pain, less bleeding, and a faster recovery.
What to Expect
Most people recover fully after Achilles tendon surgery. After surgery, you wear a cast or boot while your tendon heals. Torn Achilles recovery time can last six months to a year. When you have recovered completely, you should be able to return to playing sports.
Physical therapy (rehabilitation) helps you recover from an Achilles tear. Our Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic can help you regain your strength and range of motion.
close Surgery
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely, and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future.
What is an Achilles Tendon Tear?
Our Clinics
Our service offers easy access to innovative foot and ankle care personalized to your needs. Our team seamlessly coordinates complete services to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, from the common to those so complex.
RELATED CLINICS
Suite 211
Los Gatos, CA 95032
To schedule an appointment, please call 650-723-5643.