Achilles tendon repair surgery is a procedure to treat a torn Achilles tendon. Doctors may also recommend surgery for Achilles tendonitis if nonsurgical treatments don’t work.
The Achilles tendon is a long cord of fibrous tissue that joins your calf muscle to your heel. It is the strongest and largest tendon in the body and works with the muscles of your calf to help you walk, run, and stand on your toes. However, the Achilles tendon can develop partial or complete tears when it gets injured, stretched too fast, or is subjected to repetitive stress.
Achilles tendon treatment depends on the extent of the injury and your doctor’s recommendation. Some Achilles tendon injuries respond well to nonsurgical treatment; but if you need surgery, the orthopaedic specialists at UPMC are experts at getting you healthy and back to your favorite activities.
Achilles tendon repair surgery fixes a torn Achilles tendon. The goal is to heal the tendon and get you back to the level of activity you had before the injury.
Sometimes referred to as "tendo Achilles surgery," Achilles tendon repair surgery is considered somewhere between major and minor surgery. It’s usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day.
Achilles tendon surgery is common, especially among younger, active people. The Achilles tendon can get torn in an accident or while playing sports. Achilles injuries often happen in activities that involve sharp turns, sudden starts, and jumping, such as tennis, basketball, dance, or football.
A weakened tendon is also more likely to tear. Some diseases cause inflammation throughout the body, which can weaken tendons.
Inflammatory diseases that can weaken tendons include:
Doctors have even linked the hormonal changes of menopause to Achilles tendon problems. The drop in estrogen leads to a subsequent drop in collagen. Not enough collagen can lead to tendons becoming stiff, inflamed, and vulnerable to injury and tendonitis.
There are two basic types of surgery to repair Achilles tendons.
We treat several related conditions of the Achilles tendon with surgery.
They include:
You may need Achilles tendon repair surgery if you have a complete or partial tear of your Achilles tendon. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if you have severe tendonitis and conservative treatments haven’t worked.
Your treatment will depend on several factors, including:
You may benefit from Achilles tendon surgery if:
How to fix a torn Achilles tendon depends on several factors. Achilles repair can be surgical or nonsurgical.
Doctors can often treat small, partial tears without surgery. Even if you have a complete tear of the Achilles tendon, your doctor may want to try nonsurgical treatments first.
These include:
Achilles tendon repair surgery is a safe and common procedure, but every surgery has some risks.
The risks from anesthesia and surgery include but are not limited to:
Specific risks to Achilles tendon repair surgery include but are not limited to:
Achilles tendon repair surgery is typically an outpatient procedure. That means you’ll go home the same day.
Your orthopaedic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to get ready for your surgery.
Before your Achilles tendon repair surgery, your doctor may ask you questions like:
On the day of the surgery, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything for several hours before the procedure. You should take any medicine your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
The actual procedure will take about an hour or two. You will need to be at the hospital or surgical center longer, though, to get ready for and recover from surgery.
You may have regional anesthesia, which numbs only the injured leg. Or, your doctor may recommend general anesthesia, where you’ll be asleep.
The surgeon will make an incision through the calf or ankle. If you have minimally invasive surgery, they’ll make one or several smaller incisions. They may use a tiny camera with a light to help with the procedure.
Next, the surgeon will cut through the sheath surrounding the tendon. They will bring the ends of the tendon together and sew them, then stitch the wound closed.
You will probably go home the same day as your surgery. You will need a friend or loved one to drive you home.
You’ll typically go home in a cast, boot, or splint to keep the injured tendon immobile. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on recovery. You can expect to wear something that helps to protect the tendon throughout the initial healing phase, or for about two months.
Your doctor will give you medication to help manage your pain. When you get home, you should keep your leg elevated as much as possible.
You’ll go back to the doctor to have your sutures removed in a few weeks. Your doctor will eventually have you start physical therapy to strengthen your leg.
Complete recovery from Achilles tendon surgery can take up to 12 months or longer.
You should call your doctor right away if you have:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-05-26.
