I also did some reading on the Achilles surgery itself and found out that there are basically two types of surgery:
open surgery and percutaneous surgery. The difference is that the percutaneous method requires only a few incisions, so there are fewer complications in the skin healing process. However, since the doctor will have less visibility of the area, the potential for nerve damage is greater than in the standard, open surgery. This
article also gives you a good overview of the two methods.
Open surgery requires a larger incision, but it leaves the area wide open for the surgeon to work with more ease, therefore reducing the possibility of nerve damage.
This site explains the open surgery technique in detail and shows some pictures (not for the squeamish).
Open surgery can also performed using several
grafting techniques (using other tendons and materials to reinforce the Achilles tendon in the repair site).
In my case, I had the standard open surgery (non-percutaneous).
2 comments:
I went with the open surgery too after reading about the possible nerve damage with the other technique. I'd rather have a longer scar than nerve damage in the leg!!!
MJ - The Achilles tendon Story
March 10th 2009 Tuesday – A Day to remember!
So there I was playing badminton and after 45 mins, its seemed like someone kicked me in the ankle. I could feel my foot swell up and my foot could not be placed on the floor. I took my shoe and sock off and all I know is it hurts.
I said bye to my friends and rushed off to drive home, before I couldn’t. I came home told my wife and put some frozen pees on it and took some ibuprofen. Not understanding the full implications of this injury.
I askedmy wife to Google and Achilles tendon for me, and suddenly I became slightly concerned. Partial tear…. Broken who knows
March 11th wed – The Verdict
Went to see my GP in the morning, and he pinched my calf muscle and no response from my foot. I was told I needed surgery and an appt for consultant was made at Bushey Spire.
My Dad took me and I was told the benefits of surgery and the risks, the same with non surgery. I opted for surgery, hey I was still young and wanted to run and kick a ball etc…
5 Days passed before my surgery…. That was too long to wait reading all there was on this surgery I frightened myself.
16th March – Surgery Day – The waiting over
Scheduled between 6-9pm, at the Wellington hospital for surgery. St Johns wood. Mum and Dad took me. I had general anaesthetic and was knocked out. I have a half a cast on my leg. I stayed over until Tuesday and was given a crash course on crutches.
Been at home now for a week, can’t wash, shave, carry anything, stairs are a nightmare. I slide down the stairs and pull myself up. I sit down all day…. Nothing to do but work. Laptop on my lap and getting on with it.
No pain killers…. They make me sick.
Trying not to get down… long road ahead.
March 24th – 1st Check Up
Went to see the consultant – Nice guy.
I had the cast removed and had the stitches cut and removed… boy did that hurt luckily my wife was there to help me, and I needed her handed…. Colourful language would have been expressed loudly otherwise. I have a new cast on now and another two weeks to wait. Can’t wash properly, or go to the toilet or make a cup of tea. Stairs are a nightmare. No pain though!
Ordered a cast protector to allow me to shower cant wait…….
April 7th
Well lets just say I wanted to see my leg and foot and touch it. This is hard work.
They changed the cast and now I have a new one, two more weeks and the cast comes off permanently.
My leg looks terrible no muscle left just skinny legs…. Oh why…..???
I am slowing getting down; I cannot do anything for myself…. I think this is getting me down.
This is Easter break, and now kids are sick
Who the f* knows! Why this happened…. Far worse people than me out there! these are my thoughts sad!
Had enough now! 21st April roll on. Been out about twice in a month! What joy!
April 21st
Well today I went to the hsopital they took my cast of saw my leg not a pretty sight. They put me in air cast boot dam heavy. I will begin to walk now with crutches still.
Leg looks bad, no movement in flexing my foot. I will try hard to do exercises and move it. Long way to go bit scared about popping it.
26th May is a long way off.
Using the walking boot seems ok , no pain but I have to sleep with it . I can at least shower well and walk with one crutch. Next visit the 26th May….. Physio starts soon, so let see. Started flexing my foot, what a mess it looks….
When I get out of this I want to run like forest Gump!..
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