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How do you treat a ruptured Achilles tendon? (What is the best treatment?)

Treatment for a ruptured Achilles may be either non-surgical or surgical. Treatment of a ruptured Achilles tendon will depend on several factors that include:

  • Your age
  • Normal activity level
  • Severity of the injury (partial tear vs. complete rupture)

Experts believe that the effectiveness of both methods of management are equal in terms of recovery.

Non-surgical treatment will involve resting the tendon by using crutches, applying ice, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and a cast or walking boot to keep the ankle from moving.

Surgical repair requires an incision in the back of the lower leg where the torn pieces of the tendon are stitched back together. Sometimes the tendon may need to be reinforced with other tendons.

Often surgical repair is chosen for complete ruptures, while partial tears are managed with non-surgical treatment. Surgical complications may include infection and nerve damage. Non-surgical treatment avoids risks such as this, but there is a higher risk of rupture again in the future and a more extended recovery period.

What is the Achilles tendon and what does it do?

What is a ruptured Achilles tendon?

How does a ruptured Achilles tendon happen?

How do you know if you have a ruptured Achilles tendon?

Can you still walk with a ruptured Achilles tendon?

Is a ruptured Achilles tendon an emergency?

Is a ruptured Achilles tendon worse than a torn Achilles tendon?

Do you need surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon? (Or can it heal on its own?)

How long does it take to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

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