Foot And Ankle Tendon Repair

What should I know about foot and ankle tendons?

Tendons attach muscle to bones. The foot and ankle tendons include:

Peroneal tendons

Your foot has two peroneal tendons, one on the outer part of the foot that attaches to the smallest toe and the other that runs on the bottom of the foot and attaches to the arch.

Posterior tibial tendon

The posterior tibial tendon joins the calf muscle to the inner bones in the foot. This tendon provides foot support during movement.

Achilles tendon

The Achilles tendon is the large tendon that connects the calf muscle to the back of the heel. This tendon stabilizes the connection between the foot and ankle.

If you injure or tear a tendon in your foot, you can experience pain, swelling, and weakness.

When do I need foot and ankle tendon repair?

Your orthopedic surgeon at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists conducts a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about foot or ankle pain. They work to determine the cause of your discomfort.

You’ll need foot and ankle tendon repair if you have an injured or torn tendon and conservative treatments aren’t improving your condition. Conservative treatments include activity changes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy.

What happens during foot and ankle tendon repair?

The skilled surgeons at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists customize your foot and ankle tendon repair based on which tendon injury you suffered and where and how severe it is. The team uses cutting-edge tools and techniques when performing foot and ankle tendon repair so that you get the best results.

During the procedure, your surgeon can remove damaged tissue and stitch the tear or use a tendon graft (taken from another tendon in your body or a tendon from a donor) to reconstruct the connective tissue.

They might also repair the ankle ligament to tighten it, improving your ankle’s stability.

What happens after foot and ankle tendon repair?

The Maryland Orthopedic Specialists team provides instructions on what to expect after foot and ankle tendon repair. They place your foot in a boot cast to keep it immobile so that the tissue can heal. Once stable, the team sends you to physical therapy to support healing. Recovery following foot and ankle tendon repair varies but can take weeks, sometimes

months.

Call Maryland Orthopedic Specialists or book an appointment online for expert orthopedic foot and ankle care.