Achilles Tendon Lengthening: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It allows you to rise up on your toes and push off while walking or running. When the tendon is too tight, it can cause pain and problems in your knee, ankle, and foot when you try to walk.

During surgery, one or more small cuts were made along the length of the tendon. When they heal, the tendon will be a bit longer. This can help ease the problems you have with a tight Achilles tendon.

After surgery, you will be tired and feel pain in your lower calf and ankle. You’ll wear a cast, splint, or boot day and night for a few weeks. After that, you may need to wear a splint at night for a few more weeks. You’ll need physical therapy to get stronger and gain motion in your calf and ankle.

How soon you return to your usual activities depends on how well the tendon heals. Your doctor or physical therapist will tell you this.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

• Rest when you feel tired.
• For 2 to several weeks after surgery, you will need to wear a cast or walking boot that keeps your foot and ankle from moving. How long you wear it will depend on the procedure you had. Follow all your doctor's instructions.
• You will need to use crutches, a walker, or a knee scooter during your recovery. Do not put weight on your leg without these until your doctor says it’s okay.
• You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incision dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. It might be best to get a shower stool to sit on. If you have a brace, take it off only if your doctor says it’s okay.
• If your doctor doesn’t want you to shower or remove your brace, you can take a sponge bath.
• Do not take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your leg until your doctor says it’s okay.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• How soon you can return to your work depends on your job. If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. But if you are on your feet at work, it may take 6 to 8 weeks. If you are very physically active in your job, it may take 3 to 6 months.

Diet

• You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
• If your bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

• If you have a bandage over your incision, keep the bandage clean and dry. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor will probably want you to leave the bandage on until you are seen in the office. If your doctor allows it, you may be able to remove the bandage 48 to 72 hours after your surgery.
• If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. Keep the area clean and dry.
• If you have a splint or cast, follow your doctor’s instructions. Keep it dry. Do not put anything, including powder, between the splint or cast and your skin.

Exercise

• Rehabilitation is a series of exercises you do after your surgery. This helps you improve your flexibility and strength. You will work with your doctor and physical therapist to plan this exercise program. To get the best results, you need to do the exercises correctly and as often and for as long as your doctor tells you.

Ice and elevation

• Put ice or a cold pack on your calf for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Prop up the sore leg on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• If your doctor gave you support stockings, wear them for as long as you're told.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
• You have tingling, weakness, or numbness in your foot or toes.
• Your cast, boot, or splint feels too tight.
• Your foot is cool or pale or changes color.
• You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids.
• You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
• You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
  • Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
  • Redness or swelling in your leg.
• You have signs of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the incision.
  • Pus draining from the incision.
  • A fever.
• You bleed through your bandage.

Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You have a problem with your cast or splint.
• You are not getting better as expected.