Minimally Invasive Achilles Tendon Repair: Sprinting Back To Action

Getting Back On Track With An Achilles Injury

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and is a critical part of maintaining mobility. The tissue is responsible for providing stability when people walk and allows the body to flex the foot and stand on tiptoe. The Achilles tendon is also one of the strongest tissue bands in the body, able to withstand up to 1,100 pounds of force. However, the tendon is also easily susceptible to injury, especially for runners. While some individuals can recover by simply resting and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications, other people will need to undergo surgery to correct the damage.

Causes and symptoms of Achilles tendon injuries

One of the main reasons for Achilles tendon injuries is reduced blood flow to the region. Likewise, quick or sudden movements and even a person's gait can also increase the chances of getting hurt. Sometimes, people may experience stiffness or burning, which can make movement more difficult. In more severe cases, the reduced mobility can result in not just pain, but damage to the tendon. As a result, the Achilles tendon can become either partially or fully torn. Common signs of injury include tightness, especially in the morning, stiffness or pain along the Achilles, increased discomfort with activity, intense pain in the days following activity, bone spurs, and even persistent swelling.

Who is a candidate for surgery?

Not every individual with an Achilles tendon injury is a good candidate for surgery. People with more minor damage may find sufficient relief from temporary inactivity, or even more modest treatments like corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. By contrast, individuals with more severe damage, such as fully torn Achilles tendons, are often considered better suited for surgery. Historically, operations required large incisions with longer recovery periods. However, minimally invasive surgical methods are reducing incisions and scarring, as well as yielding faster healing times.

Understanding Achilles tendon surgery

In truth, multiple repair surgeries exist that are specific to the Achilles tendon. If surgery is recommended to control inflammation, a person may undergo an Achilles tendinoplasty, while an operation to correct a torn tendon is referred to as a percutaneous Achilles repair system (PARS) if minimally invasive methods are being used.

What to expect with PARS

As with other minimally invasive surgeries, PARS promises smaller incisions, less disturbance of the surrounding tissues at the operation site, and faster recovery times as compared to a traditional open Achilles repair operation. In most cases, if PARS is recommended, the procedure will take place within a few weeks of when the injury occurred. During the typically outpatient operation, a surgeon will make a small incision and use specialized equipment to insert into the area. Using the equipment, the doctor will repair the damaged tendon.

Benefits of PARS

Along with less scarring, faster recovery is the biggest benefit of PARS. Key features include going home the same day of the operation and transitioning to a walking boot within a few weeks of surgery. Active individuals can return to sports around three months post-operation. While not every person with an Achilles tendon injury is a good candidate for PARS, people who are will typically enjoy the benefits of this cutting-edge technology. Consider speaking with an orthopedist if an Achilles injury is impacting mobility.