Let’s break down what each option really means for treatment of Achilles Tendon repair in Houston.
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. When it ruptures, that connection breaks. You lose the ability to point your foot downward with any strength.
Most ruptures happen during sports. Basketball players jump and land incorrectly. Runners push off too hard. Weekend warriors who haven’t trained in months try to relive their glory days. Achilles tendon ruptures in Houston follow these same patterns, affecting active people across all age groups. The tendon can’t handle the sudden force.
People over 30 face a higher risk. The tendon gets less flexible with age. But ruptures can strike anyone.
Non-Surgical Treatment: The Conservative Route
Some doctors recommend skipping surgery. Your body can heal a ruptured Achilles on its own, given enough time.
Here is why some patients choose this path and avoid the operating room entirely: no surgical risks, anesthesia complications and no worry of infection.
You will wear a cast or walking boot for 6 to 12 weeks. The torn ends of the tendon gradually knit back together. Physical therapy will begin once the cast comes off. The process is simple.
But there’s a catch. Studies show re-rupture rates run higher without surgery. Between 8% and 12% of non-surgical patients tear the tendon again. That’s a real concern if you want to return to high-level activity.
Recovery also takes longer. You might need 4 to 6 months before running again. Providers at Nagler Foot Center observe that some people never regain full strength without surgical intervention.
Surgical Repair: Stitching It Back Together
Surgery reconnects the torn tendon ends. The surgeon makes an incision at the back of your ankle, pulls the tendon tight, and stitches it together.
The main benefit? Lower re-rupture rates. Only 2% to 5% of surgical patients experience another tear. That difference matters if you play sports or work a physical job.
You will get better results, too. Research from the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society shows surgical patients regain more calf strength than those treated conservatively (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, 2023).
The downside is straightforward. Surgery does carries risks. Infection can develop at the incision site. Nerve damage is possible. Healing takes time and commitment to keep everything clean.
You still need a cast or boot after surgery. The timeline mirrors non-surgical treatment for the first few weeks. After that, physical therapy becomes critical around week 6.
Making Your Decision
Which path is right for you? Age plays a role. Younger, active patients often choose surgery. Older adults with lower activity levels may prefer avoiding the operating room.
Your goals matter too. Planning to run marathons again? Surgery probably makes sense. Just want to walk without pain? Non-surgical treatment might work fine.
Health conditions also factor in. Diabetes, poor circulation, or a smoking history can complicate surgical healing. Some patients are a higher risk and can’t undergo anesthesia.
Facilities like Nagler Foot Center understands that patients are different and their treatment approaches will be as well. They have been hugely successful at matching the right treatment to the right patient.
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