The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Achilles tendon repair
A surgical procedure for a ruptured Achilles tendon, undertaken to help you get back to full fitness following an injury.
About having an achilles tendon repair
The achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. A rupture occurs when there is a tear or separation of the tendon fibres. It is relatively common and can be serious.
Your consultant may suggest surgery if the tendon ends are not in contact or if your function is likely to be affected long term.
Need to know
There are two main ways a surgeon can perform the operation to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. The type of surgery undertaken will depend on where your tear is.
- In open surgery, one incision is made to allow your surgeon a better view to repair the ends directly using stitches.
- In closed surgery, your surgeon will make a number of small skin incisions to reach your tendon and repair it indirectly using stitches passed through the skin.
In both instances, your surgeon will stitch your tendon together in to allow the body’s healing process to take over and allow the tendon to repair.
Your consultant will let you know how best to prepare for your surgery.
Your surgeon will usually use local anaesthetic to ensure you are not in pain after the surgery. You will require regular painkillers once the anaesthetic has worn off. You may return home on the same day or need to stay in hospital overnight.
You will need to wear a cast or an adjustable leg brace to help your Achilles tendon heal. This is usually for between four and ten weeks. During this time you may require blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Physiotherapy will be needed starting after four to six weeks to strengthen your muscles, increase your range of motion, improve your walking, and reduce re-injury.
Orthopaedics at HCA Healthcare UK
Are you looking for another orthopaedic service, condition or treatment? At HCA UK we provide a comprehensive orthopaedic service including specialist care for the Spine, Knee, Hip, Foot & ankle, Shoulder, Elbow, Hand and Wrist. We also have specialist units for peripheral nerve injuries and sports and exercise medicine.
Our Achilles tendon repair locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.