Achilles Tendon Repair

Wound & splint care

Keep your dressing and splint clean and dry. Cover with a waterproof bag for showering; no immersion (no baths or pools). Don't remove the splint unless instructed. Leave steri-strips until your first visit. Mild bleeding and swelling are expected.

Boot

You'll wear a CAM walker boot with heel wedges that point the foot down. Wear the boot at all times, including while sleeping, until told otherwise. Heel wedges are removed gradually (about one every 1-2 weeks) over roughly 6 weeks.

Weight-bearing

Protected weight-bearing in the boot typically begins within 2 weeks, per your surgeon. Never put weight on the foot without the boot on. No driving initially (especially a right-leg repair) until cleared.

Ice & elevation

Keep the leg elevated above heart level as much as possible for the first 1-2 weeks. Ice 20 minutes every 2 hours (or continuously if an ice machine was prescribed), protecting the skin.

Medications

• Pain medicine (Norco or Percocet): 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 12 tablets in 24 hours. Do not take extra Tylenol with it.
• Aspirin 81 mg or 325 mg daily (as instructed) to reduce clot risk.
• If prescribed Journavx: 2 tablets before surgery on an empty stomach, then 1 every 12 hours; avoid grapefruit.

Rehabilitation

Gentle ankle motion (pointing down to neutral) begins as directed, avoid stretching past neutral early. Formal physical therapy starts at your first visit and is essential. Running and jumping are typically not allowed until about 4 months.

When to call us

• Fever above 101.5°F
• Pain that will not let up, or painful swelling / numbness
• Increasing redness or continuous drainage / bleeding from the incision
• A change in the color of the operated arm or leg
• Difficulty breathing, or excessive nausea / vomiting

For a true emergency, call 911. For non-urgent questions about your recovery, please contact our office.