Primary and Secondary Repair of Flexor and Extensor Tendons.

Learn how Tendon Surgery restores mobility and strength after a rupture. Discover the advancements in Tendon repair and specialized care at Liv Hospital.

We're Here to Help.
Get in Touch.

Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.

Doctors
GDPR

Overview and Definition

What is Tendon Surgery?

Tendon Surgery is a specialized orthopedic procedure performed to treat damaged or ruptured tendons—the tough, fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. When a tendon is torn or severely injured, the muscle can no longer pull on the bone, resulting in a loss of function and significant weakness. The primary goal of surgery is to bring the separated ends of the tendon back together and secure them, allowing the body to initiate a natural biological healing process.

The Importance of Precision Tendon Repair

A successful Tendon repair requires extreme surgical precision. Because tendons have a limited blood supply compared to muscles, they heal slowly and are prone to scarring. At Liv Hospital, we utilize high-tension suturing techniques and minimally invasive approaches to ensure the repair is strong enough to withstand the mechanical forces of daily movement. Whether it is a hand tendon or a major weight-bearing structure like the ankle, our focus is on restoring the exact tension required for optimal joint mechanics.

Injury and Causes

Icon LIV Hospital

Causes of Tendon Rupture

ORTHOPEDIC

The need for Tendon Surgery often arises from a sudden, high-energy mechanical stress. This is most common in the “Achilles,” the largest tendon in the body. An injury here often occurs during sports that involve sudden jumping or pivoting. When the force exceeds the tendon’s tensile strength, it snaps—a sensation many patients describe as being “kicked in the back of the leg.” This trauma necessitates achilles tendon surgery to bridge the gap and restore the “push-off” power of the foot.

Icon 1 LIV Hospital

Calcaneal Tendon Surgery and Overuse

ORTHOPEDIC

Calcaneal tendon surgery (another term for Achilles repair) may also be required for chronic, “neglected” tears or severe tendinosis. Over time, repetitive micro-trauma can cause the tendon fibers to break down and be replaced by weak scar tissue. If the tendon becomes structurally unstable, a surgical reconstruction is performed. At Liv Hospital, we emphasize that “weekend warriors”—middle-aged athletes—are at the highest risk for these injuries due to a natural biological decline in tendon elasticity.

Diagnosis and Imaging

The Diagnostic Pathway

A successful Tendon Surgery starts with a clinical “Thompson Test”—a maneuver where the surgeon squeezes the calf muscle to see if the foot moves. If the foot stays still, it confirms a complete rupture. At Liv Hospital, we also perform a detailed strength assessment to determine if the injury is a “functional” loss or if other muscles are compensating for the damage.

Advanced Imaging for Tendon Repair

To map the exact location of the tear, we utilize:

  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: A dynamic tool that allows us to see the tendon fibers in motion. It is excellent for identifying the “gap” size in a rupture.
  • Musculoskeletal MRI: The gold standard for planning achilles tendon surgery. It shows the quality of the tendon tissue and whether there is significant “retraction” of the muscle.
  • X-ray: While it can’t see the tendon, an X-ray is used to rule out an “avulsion fracture,” where the tendon pulls a piece of bone away from the heel.
TENDON SURGERY

Treatment and Recovery

Surgical Options: Open vs. Minimally Invasive

At Liv Hospital, we offer the latest techniques for calcaneal tendon surgery. This includes minimally invasive “percutaneous” repairs, where the tendon is sewn back together through tiny “keyhole” incisions. This approach reduces the risk of wound complications—a common issue in the heel area—and results in less scarring. For complex or chronic cases, an “open” repair allows for the use of tendon grafts to reinforce the site.

Recovery After Tendon Surgery

Recovery from Tendon repair is a biological marathon.

  • Weeks 1–2: The limb is protected in a splint or cast, usually in a “pointed toe” position to take tension off the repair.
  • Weeks 2–6: Transition to a walking boot with “wedges” that are gradually removed to slowly stretch the tendon.
  • Months 3–6: Gradual return to walking and light exercise. For achilles tendon surgery, a return to competitive sports typically takes 6 to 9 months.

Rehabilitation Tips

Essential Rehabilitation Tips

Rehabilitation is the most critical part of Tendon repair. If you move too early, the repair can stretch out; if you move too late, the joint will become permanently stiff. At Liv Hospital, we utilize “Accelerated Functional Rehabilitation,” which incorporates early, controlled movement to improve the alignment of the new tendon fibers and prevent muscle atrophy.

Long-Term Tendon Health

  • Heel Raises: Once cleared, perform slow, “eccentric” heel drops to strengthen the tendon as it lengthens.
  • Maintain Flexibility: Keep your calf muscles flexible to prevent excessive tension on the calcaneal tendon surgery site.
  • Proper Footwear: Wear supportive athletic shoes and avoid “flat” flip-flops during the first year of recovery.
  • Listen to the “Ache”: If the tendon aches after exercise, it is a biological signal to “scale back” your intensity for a few days.

Why Choose Liv Hospital?

Liv Hospital is a center of excellence for Tendon Surgery and sports medicine. Our orthopedic surgeons are experts in both acute achilles tendon surgery and complex reconstructive Tendon repair. We combine high-definition diagnostic imaging with a world-class rehabilitation team to ensure you regain your strength and return to your active life. We understand that your mobility depends on the integrity of your tendons. We encourage you to reach out and call Liv Hospital to schedule a consultation with our foot and ankle specialists.

Book a Free Certified Online
Doctor Consultation

Clinics/branches
GDPR

Related Doctors

Assoc. Prof. MD. Gökhan Kürşat Kara Liv Hospital Ulus Assoc. Prof. MD. Gökhan Kürşat Kara Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Gürkan Gümüşsuyu Liv Hospital Ulus Assoc. Prof. MD. Gürkan Gümüşsuyu Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Kadir Abul Liv Hospital Ulus Assoc. Prof. MD. Kadir Abul Orthopedic Surgery Op. MD. İsmail Tugay Yağcı Liv Hospital Ulus Op. MD. İsmail Tugay Yağcı Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Ramazan Erden Ertürer Liv Hospital Ulus Prof. MD. Ramazan Erden Ertürer Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Uğur Haklar Liv Hospital Ulus Prof. MD. Uğur Haklar Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Süleyman Semih Dedeoğlu Liv Hospital Vadistanbul Prof. MD. Süleyman Semih Dedeoğlu Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Yunus İmren Liv Hospital Vadistanbul Prof. MD. Yunus İmren Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. İsmail Demirkale Liv Hospital Vadistanbul Prof. MD. İsmail Demirkale Orthopedic Surgery Spec. MD. Gail Gasimov Liv Hospital Vadistanbul Spec. MD. Gail Gasimov Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD.  Birhan Oktaş Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Assoc. Prof. MD. Birhan Oktaş Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Kaya Turan Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Assoc. Prof. MD. Kaya Turan Orthopedic Surgery Op. MD. Hüsrev Purisa Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Op. MD. Hüsrev Purisa Hand and Microsurgery Op. MD. İlker Sezer Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Op. MD. İlker Sezer Hand and Microsurgery Prof. MD. Ersin Kuyucu Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Prof. MD. Ersin Kuyucu Orthopedic Surgery Spec. MD. Ahmet Şadi Kılınç Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Spec. MD. Ahmet Şadi Kılınç Orthopedic Surgery Spec. MD. Mustafa Özçamdallı Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Spec. MD. Mustafa Özçamdallı Orthopedic Surgery Spec. MD. Yavuz Şahbat Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir Spec. MD. Yavuz Şahbat Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Alper Köksal Liv Hospital Topkapı Assoc. Prof. MD. Alper Köksal Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Kadir İlker Yıldız Liv Hospital Topkapı Assoc. Prof. MD. Kadir İlker Yıldız Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Samet Erinç Liv Hospital Topkapı Assoc. Prof. MD. Samet Erinç Orthopedic Surgery Op. MD. Nikola Azar Liv Hospital Topkapı Op. MD. Nikola Azar Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD.  Tuğrul Yıldırım Liv Hospital Ankara Assoc. Prof. MD. Tuğrul Yıldırım Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Ali Erhan Özdemirel Liv Hospital Ankara Assoc. Prof. MD. Ali Erhan Özdemirel Rheumatology (Physical Therapy) Assoc. Prof. MD. Özgür Kaya Liv Hospital Ankara Assoc. Prof. MD. Özgür Kaya Orthopedic Surgery Asst. Prof. MD. Yunus Demirtaş Liv Hospital Ankara Asst. Prof. MD. Yunus Demirtaş Orthopedic Surgery Op. MD. Murat Bozbek Liv Hospital Ankara Op. MD. Murat Bozbek Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Ali Biçimoğlu Liv Hospital Ankara Prof. MD. Ali Biçimoğlu Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Levent Çelebi Liv Hospital Ankara Prof. MD. Levent Çelebi Orthopedic Surgery MD. Mehmet Emre Hanay Liv Hospital Gaziantep MD. Mehmet Emre Hanay Orthopedics and Traumatology Op. MD. Ferit Yücel Liv Hospital Gaziantep Op. MD. Ferit Yücel Orthopedics and Traumatology Op. MD. Barış Özgürol Liv Hospital Samsun Op. MD. Barış Özgürol Orthopedic Surgery Op. MD. Metehan Saraçoğlu Liv Hospital Samsun Op. MD. Metehan Saraçoğlu Orthopedics and Traumatology Spec. MD. İsmayıl Meherremli Liv Bona Dea Hospital Bakü Spec. MD. İsmayıl Meherremli Orthopedics and Traumatology Spec. MD. Şehriyar Fetullayev Liv Bona Dea Hospital Bakü Spec. MD. Şehriyar Fetullayev Orthopedics and Traumatology Assoc. Prof. MD. Bülent Karslıoğlu Assoc. Prof. MD. Bülent Karslıoğlu Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Engin Çetin Assoc. Prof. MD. Engin Çetin Orthopedic Surgery Assoc. Prof. MD. Turan Bilge Kızkapan Assoc. Prof. MD. Turan Bilge Kızkapan Orthopedic Surgery Prof. MD. Oğuz Cebesoy Prof. MD. Oğuz Cebesoy Orthopedic Surgery

30 Years of
Excellence

Trusted Worldwide

With patients from across the globe, we bring over three decades of medical

Group 346 LIV Hospital

Reviews from 9,651

4,9

Was this article helpful?

Was this article helpful?

We're Here to Help.
Get in Touch.

Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.

Doctors
GDPR

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does a tendon take to heal?

Biologically, it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the tendon to heal enough to withstand light force. However, full remodeling and return to full strength can take 6 to 12 months.

The surgery itself is done under anesthesia. Post-operative pain is managed with medication. Tendon surgeries can be painful in the first few days, but the pain usually subsides quickly as long as the limb is kept still.

Yes, all surgeries leave scars. However, surgeons make incisions along natural skin lines whenever possible to minimize visibility. Minimally invasive techniques also result in smaller scars.

Usually, you will be immobilized in a splint or cast for the first few weeks to protect the repair. However, controlled motion often starts early under the guidance of a therapist to prevent stiffness.

For partial tears, you might heal with therapy. For complete ruptures, the muscle will retract, and you may permanently lose strength and function in that specific movement.

Spine Hospital of Louisiana

RELATED VIDEOS

Need Help? Chat with our medical team

Let's Talk on WhatsApp

📌

Get instant answers from our medical team. No forms, no waiting — just tap below to start chatting now.

or call us at +90 530 174 26 75

How helpful was it?

helpful
GDPR
helpful
GDPR
helpful
GDPR