Type of Surgery
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Last updated: 11/24/2009
Diagnosis of a tendon injury is usually made when the patient consults a doctor about pain in the injured area. The doctor will usually order radiographs and other imaging studies of the affected joint as well as taking a history and performing an...
external physical examination in the office. In some cases fluid will be aspirated (withdrawn through a needle) from the joint to check for signs of infection, bleeding, or arthritis.
Prior to surgery, the patient is asked not to eat or drink anything, even water. A few days before the operation, patients are also instructed to stop taking such over-thecounter pain medications as aspirin or ibuprofen. If the patient has a splint or cast, it is removed before surgery.
To prepare for surgery, the patient typically reports to a preoperative nursing unit, where he or she changes into a hospital gown. Next, the patient is taken to a preoperative holding area, where an anesthesiologist administers an intravenous sedative. The patient is then taken to the operating room.
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The Achilles tendon is the major tendon that connects the lower leg to the foot. Without your Achilles tendon, you would not be able to point your foot or walk effectively. This narrated animation describes how tears in the Achilles tendon are repaired surgically.
To repair a torn tendon, incisions are made to expose the area for repair (A). Some tendons can be reattached through one incision (B), while others require two to access the severed point and the remaining tendon (C). A special splint that minimizes stretching the tendons may be worn after surgery (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Other Information
Tendon repair refers to the surgical repair of damaged or torn tendons, which are cord-like structures made of strong fibrous connective tissue that connect muscles to bones. The shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle joints are the most commonly affected by tendon injuries.
The goal of tendon repair is to restore the normal function of joints or their surrounding tissues following a tendon laceration.
From http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/St-Wr/Tendon-Repair.html
Other Information
Orthopedic complaints are the most common reason to seek medical care.
From: About.com
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