The Achilles tendon is the strong, fibrous cord in the lower leg connecting the muscles of your calf to your heel which helps you to walk, run and jump. When this tendon tears or ruptures, surgery is needed to fix the damaged tendon.
The Achilles tendon can also degenerate, also known as tendinitis or tendinopathy which can cause pain and stiffness along your Achilles tendon and near your heel. Having short calf muscles can also increase the risk of tendinopathy.
Surgery on the Achilles tendon can be performed as a minimally invasive procedure with a small scope with small camera, whereby an incision is made at the back of the calf and the ruptured tendon stitched back together or if degenerated, the damaged part may be removed and repaired with stiches.
If there is severe damage to parts of the tendon, the damaged parts may be replaced with tendon taken from another place in your foot. Other treatment for a ruptured Achilles tendon may be advised including rest, using ice and pain medicines, a device to stop movement of the foot or physical therapy.