Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
Mortality rates for tendon repairs are very low, partly because some of these procedures can be performed with local or regional anesthesia, and partly because most patients with tendon injuries are young or middle-aged adults in good general health....
Morbidity varies according to the specific tendon involved; ruptures of the Achilles tendon or shoulder tendons are more difficult to repair than injuries to smaller tendons elsewhere in the body. In addition, some postoperative complications result from patient noncompliance; in one study, two out of 50 patients in the study sample had new injuries within three weeks after surgery because they did not follow the surgeon's recommendations. In general, tendon repairs performed in the United States are reported as having an infection rate of about 1.9%, with other complications ranging between 5.8% and 9.5%.
Advertisement
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.)
Search
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
New procedures like minimally invasive procedures are often subject to scrutiny, but I think that one of the biggest problems facing these innovative procedures is for people to understand exactly what we do.
-Dr. Michael Perry, Laser Spine institute
Find a Qualified Specialist
Looking for a specialist?
Please enter your zip code.