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Achilles tendon repair
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care, as reported by PHIN
- 10 specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
- 97% of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
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ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Your specialist foot consultant will shape a specific treatment plan for your Achilles tendon injury, depending on how severe your condition is. They’ll use the latest imaging technology to accurately diagnose it and recommend the most effective course of treatment. With HCA UK, you’ll be in the safest hands, 97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. It’s essential for helping you with movements such as walking, running and jumping.
A whole range of injuries can impact your Achilles tendon from mild inflammation called tendinopathy, which often happens from overuse over time, to a rupture, which is usually the result of a sudden, forceful movement.
A whole range of injuries can impact your Achilles tendon from mild inflammation called tendinopathy, which often happens from overuse over time, to a rupture, which is usually the result of a sudden, forceful movement.
Your specialist may perform a range of investigations including a physical examination. During this, they’ll check your tendon for tenderness, swelling and range of motion. They’ll also use more detailed imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI scans, to confirm the extent of your injury.
We offer a comprehensive range of treatments, and your own plan will be carefully tailored to the type and severity of your injury.
If you have a minor injury rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications and physiotherapy may be enough to help ease any swelling and pain.
Orthotics such as custom shoe inserts to correct your foot’s posture may also help alongside immobilisation with a boot or cast and shockwave therapy. This is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates healing. Your consultant can advise you on the best combination of approaches for your injury.
An Achilles tendon repair procedure may be recommended in the most severe cases. Your specialist surgeon will reattach the torn tendon ends one of two ways, depending on where your tear is:
If you have a minor injury rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications and physiotherapy may be enough to help ease any swelling and pain.
Orthotics such as custom shoe inserts to correct your foot’s posture may also help alongside immobilisation with a boot or cast and shockwave therapy. This is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates healing. Your consultant can advise you on the best combination of approaches for your injury.
An Achilles tendon repair procedure may be recommended in the most severe cases. Your specialist surgeon will reattach the torn tendon ends one of two ways, depending on where your tear is:
- In open surgery, one incision is made giving your surgeon a good view so that they can repair your tendon ends directly, using stitches.
- In closed surgery, your surgeon will make a number of small skin incisions to reach your tendon, and they’ll repair it indirectly using stitches passed through the skin.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist foot and ankle consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR PROCESS
What to expect
Our expert foot and ankle teams are here to help you feel comfortable and reassured, and to support you to get back on your feet, making as full and successful a recovery as possible. You’ll experience tailored, specialist diagnosis and care focussed on your needs, from your very first GP consultation until you’re ready to leave.
01
Initial consultation
The first step may be an initial GP consultation. They’ll give you advice and make a referral to one of our foot and ankle specialists if they think that’s required. Your GP will talk to you about your injury and any pain or related problems that you may be experiencing.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
If you are referred to a specialist foot and ankle consultant, they’ll conduct their own examination and may suggest an imaging test to better understand your injury such as an ultrasound or MRI scan. They’ll get the results back on the same day so they can quickly start shaping a treatment plan.
03
Treatment
The treatment pathway they recommend will depend on how severe your injury is. Your specialist may recommend:
- Non-surgical management, including rest, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, orthotics and bracing
- Minimally invasive procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections or percutaneous tendon repair
- Surgical interventions, which may be an open or minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair
04
Physiotherapy aftercare
If you do have surgery, you’ll be given a specialised tendon rehabilitation physiotherapy programme to follow. This will help you to gradually progress through the key recovery milestones.
It may include a regular specialist review helping us to adjust your plan if that’s needed. Your recovery will be expertly managed, helping you to successfully get back to doing the things you love, as soon as possible.
It may include a regular specialist review helping us to adjust your plan if that’s needed. Your recovery will be expertly managed, helping you to successfully get back to doing the things you love, as soon as possible.
Our Locations
Where can Achilles tendon repair surgery?
You can access our specialist foot and ankle services at locations across London. From initial consultation through to treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by some of the country’s most respected experts.
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
The Waterfront Business Park, Beaufort House Elstree Road, Elstree WD6 3BS Hertfordshire
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Achilles tendon repair FAQs
Common symptoms include pain and stiffness along the back of your heel, especially when you’re walking or running, swelling around your heel and limited range of motion when flexing your foot. You’ll experience a loud ‘popping’ or ‘snapping’ sensation if your tendon ruptures completely.
Achilles tendinopathy is often caused by overuse as we age, leading to micro-tears in your tendon. Sudden increases in activity, improper footwear or changes in training routines are all common contributing factors. A rupture is usually the result of a sudden, forceful movement.
Gradually increasing your activity levels, wearing proper footwear and regular stretching can all help to reduce the risk of injury to your Achilles tendon.
You’ll typically need to be totally off your feet for a few weeks, with no weight-bearing on your affected limb. You’ll be asked to start a specialist physiotherapy programme four to six weeks after surgery to help strengthen your muscles, increase your range of motion, improve your walking and reduce your chance of re-injury.
Getting fully back on your feet may take months, it all depends on your own individual progress. You’ll need to wear a cast or an adjustable leg brace for four to ten weeks after surgery to help your Achilles tendon heal.
Your consultant will advise you what’s right for you. During this time, you may need to take blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Getting fully back on your feet may take months, it all depends on your own individual progress. You’ll need to wear a cast or an adjustable leg brace for four to ten weeks after surgery to help your Achilles tendon heal.
Your consultant will advise you what’s right for you. During this time, you may need to take blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Our patients’ stories
Timothys story preserving diabetic foot
Timothy, aged 77, lives and works on a conservation farm in Zambia, Southern Africa. He has Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy but keeps an active lifestyle as a farmer by tending to giraffes, zebras and buffalo.
Glynis is bowled over by her new ankle
A 42-year-old Glynis was enjoying a night out, on the dancefloor of a London hotel. All was well, but one tiny movement was about to have a huge impact on her life.
Marinella’s story: Looking through the keyhole at bunions and foot health
For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers
“Once the cast came off, I just started walking, and I haven't stopped since!”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.