A common repair ruptured achilles tendon at surgery center facility in Missouri includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$124 |
Provider fee for exercises for strength/range of motion/flexibility
15 minutes
Standard
|
60 |
$2,253 |
Provider fee for physical therapy evaluation
Standard
Standard
|
10 |
$1,108 |
Provider fee for stretching/pulling treatment
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$563 |
Provider fee to repair ruptured achilles tendon
First repair
Standard
|
1 |
$807 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to repair ruptured achilles tendon
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$3,291 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for MRI of hip, knee, or ankle joint
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$300 |
Prescriptions |
Equipment |
Non-wood underarm crutches
Pair
Standard
|
1 |
$61 |
Non-pneumatic walking boot
Off-the-shelf
Standard
|
1 |
$186 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$189 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
239 |
$449 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common repair ruptured achilles tendon at outpatient hospital facility in Missouri includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$124 |
Provider fee for exercises for strength/range of motion/flexibility
15 minutes
Standard
|
60 |
$2,253 |
Provider fee for physical therapy evaluation
Standard
Standard
|
10 |
$1,108 |
Provider fee for stretching/pulling treatment
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$563 |
Provider fee to repair ruptured achilles tendon
First repair
Standard
|
1 |
$807 |
Facility |
Outpatient Hospital fee to repair ruptured achilles tendon
level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$7,021 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for MRI of hip, knee, or ankle joint
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$300 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$15 |
Equipment |
Non-wood underarm crutches
Pair
Standard
|
1 |
$61 |
Non-pneumatic walking boot
Off-the-shelf
Standard
|
1 |
$186 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$189 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
239 |
$449 |
Total average cash price |
|
The Achilles tendon is a rubber band-like strand of tissue that connects the heel bone to the calf muscle. This powerful tendon pulls on the heel when the calf muscle is flexed. Because of the Achilles tendon, we can stand on our toes while walking, running, and jumping.
Because we use it every day, the Achilles tendon may become injured. One potential injury to the Achilles tendon is a rupture of the tendon. Let’s explore the details of what this injury means and what to do about it.
A ruptured Achilles tendon is a complete or partial tear of the tendon that results from stress that is stronger than the Achilles tendon can handle. Rupture of the Achilles tendon can cause a gap between the upper and lower portions of the tendon. The area most often affected is two to three inches above the heel. However, rupture can also occur right at the heel bone or even higher in the calf region.
Achilles tendon rupture usually happens when a sudden strong motion causes stress to the calf muscle. The extra force is more pressure than the Achilles tendon can handle. The cause of the injury can be running, jumping, or other athletic activity. Injuries can also be a result of tripping or falling.
Most injuries occur in adults aged 30-50 years old who are participating in recreational sports. These people are often referred to as “weekend warriors.”
Another less frequent cause of Achilles tendon rupture results from the tendon becoming weak after taking certain medications such as steroids or antibiotics.
When the Achilles tendon ruptures, you will experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sudden pain in the back of the ankle or calf
- A popping or snapping sensation in the back of the ankle or calf
- Swelling in the back of the leg between the heel and the calf
- Difficulty walking, especially upstairs or uphill
- Difficulty standing on tiptoe
- Bruising of the back of the ankle or calf
You can still walk with a ruptured Achilles tendon, but you may have problems pointing the injured side downward and problems with pushing off on this side. Walking upstairs or up a hill will be difficult and painful, as will trying to stand on tiptoes.
A ruptured Achilles tendon is an emergency. You should seek immediate medical care if you hear a loud pop or snap, feel the sensation of being struck in the back of the leg, aren’t able to stand on your toes, or bend your foot downward. You may not have pain and may still be able to walk but should have the above symptoms checked out.
In the emergency room, the healthcare provider will examine your feet, legs, and ankles. You’ll be asked questions about your physical activity. Tests that may be used to evaluate the injury include a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) or an ultrasound. You may be placed in a cast or boot to protect the injury. In some cases, you may need to use crutches to help you walk. The emergency room staff will refer you for follow-up with an orthopedic or sports medicine healthcare provider.
Achilles tendon injuries may consist of either a tear or a rupture. These are essentially the same injury caused by excessive stress on the Achilles tendon. The main difference is how extensive the tear is. A complete tear is a rupture. Partial tears only affect a piece of the tendon. Symptoms of partial tears may be mild or cause no symptoms, while a complete rupture is painful and causes a sudden loss of strength and movement.
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.
Achilles tendon rupture does not always require surgery. The injury will still require care monitored by a healthcare provider, but tendon rupture can heal on its own with casting and rehabilitation. If an Achilles rupture is not treated, you can develop permanent damage and a decrease in the motion of the foot and ankle.
Most people will be able to resume normal activity in about four to six months after a ruptured Achilles tendon. A cast or brace will be used with both surgical and non-surgical treatments and is generally required for about six to eight weeks. Rehabilitation with physical therapy will begin as early as two weeks after the injury and is critical for recovering the full range of motion.
About the repair ruptured achilles tendon Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
