If your tendonitis is not getting better with conservative treatment, then surgery is the last resort. While most tendonitis surgery is safe, some potential risks are involved, as with any procedure. You need to learn about tendonitis surgery before considering one for yourself. Read these FAQs on tendonitis surgery to learn everything you need to know about it. Get a consultation with the best Podiatrists in Brooklyn.

FAQs on tendonitis surgery

These FAQs on tendonitis surgery will help you understand how surgery helps to manage severe tendonitis. 

1. Why won’t your tendon heal?

Ans. Several reasons can prevent your tendon injury from healing:

• Decreased blood flow to injured tissue stops it from healing as fast as it should if it weren’t swollen. If the area is swollen and painful, it will get better if you remove the inflammation; this pain will also disappear.
• If the pain is gone, you may think the soft tissue is healed, but that’s not true. When you start doing normal tasks again, it causes you sharp pain because sometimes even though the pain is gone, it doesn’t always mean that the injury is healed, because of micro tears inside the tissue. This makes your pain worse and causes more scar tissue.
• Scar tissue is the most common reason that chronic injury doesn’t heal, and your range of motion is lower than before. This occurs when damaged tissue grows and tries to heal together, overlapping each other and binding tiny tissue tears together. When this scar tissue experiences external forces, it easily becomes inflamed and causes sharp pain. It may feel like stiffness, tightness, weakness, and pain in the joints. Ongoing issues with scar tissue can lead to soft tissue tears and increase the chances of strain to nearby tendons or ligaments.

• When is surgery necessary for tendonitis?

Ans. Tendonitis surgery is required when conservative treatments fail to produce desired results and the individual suffers from persistent pain and significant loss of function. Some other situations where surgery may be necessary include:

• Severe Tendon Damage: When tendons get severely damaged (like completely tearing or rupturing), surgery may be required to repair or reattach the tendons.
• Chronic Tendonitis: In cases where tendonitis doesn’t get better over time, despite non-surgical treatments, surgery might be recommended to treat the underlying issue and promote healing.
• Recurrent Tendonitis:  If the person experiences recurrent episodes of tendonitis that majorly impact their quality of life, surgery may be recommended to prevent further occurrences and provide long-term relief.
• Occupational or Athletic requirements: People who participate in occupations and sports need to rely on the use of the affected tendon; surgery may be necessary to restore the optimal function and minimize the risk of future injuries.

Understand this, the decision of surgery can vary depending on the case, severity of the symptoms, overall health, and individual goals.

• How many types of surgeries are available for tendonitis?

Ans. There are several types of tendonitis surgery available; the one you get depends on the location and severity of your tendonitis. Common types are:

• Tendon Repair: If your tendon is torn or ruptured, the surgeon will reattach or repair it by using sutures, anchors, or other surgical techniques.
• Debridement: In cases where there’s significant inflammation or damage to the tendon, the surgeon may perform a debridement to remove the damaged tissue and promote healing.

Additionally, several surgical techniques are used depending on the unique condition, including open tendon repair, arthroscopic tendon repair, and microscopic tendonitis surgery.

In open tendon repair, an incision is made on the skin over the affected tendon to remove the damaged tissue. Arthroscopic tendon repair uses a small camera and surgical tools inserted through tiny incisions to repair the tendon. Microscopic tendonitis surgery is a less invasive technique than endoscopes and small surgical tools to repair the tendon.

• What should you expect from tendonitis surgery?

Ans. Usually, you don’t need to prepare anything for tendonitis surgery, but you may be told to stop taking some medications if they interfere with your surgery.

On the day of the surgery, you need to change into a hospital gown and be given general anesthesia to numb the area, so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your surgeon makes small incisions around the affected area to repair the damaged tendons. They may also remove the bone spur and other tissues. Once the procedure is complete, they put the bandage on the operated area and may recommend wearing a splint or brace to keep the area immobilized.

After the surgery, you need to rest and allow the area to heal. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to lower the discomfort and pain you may experience. You may need to keep the area immobilized for several weeks, depending on your severity. Physical therapy may be needed to regain strength and mobility in the affected area. You must follow the orthopedic surgeon’s instructions to attend all follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.

• What are the potential risks of tendonitis surgery?

Ans. Like any surgery, it also involves some risks. However, the majority of them are manageable. It may include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and scarring. So, make sure you discuss these risks before your surgery with your orthopedic surgeon.

• What should you expect from the recovery after tendonitis surgery?

Ans. The full recovery can take anywhere between 2 weeks and more. You may need to use a splint or a brace to walk. After the sutures are removed, patients are allowed to walk with the boot with heel wedges. Physical therapy is recommended to aid recovery.

• What are the outcomes of tendonitis surgery?

Ans. Usually, the success rate of tendonitis surgery is high (around 80 to 90%). However, keep in mind that there can be a spectrum of final results based on the patient’s baseline function and how much the tendon is degenerated.

Managing severe tendonitis is difficult, especially when other conservative treatments like rest, physical therapy, medication, etc., have failed to improve your condition. Tendonitis surgery is usually the last resort. While tendonitis surgery outcomes are generally positive, it does involve some risks you should consider. Make sure you talk with your orthopedic surgeon to ensure which surgery is right for you and what risks are involved in the procedure.

Need help with tendonitis or foot problems? Visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!! Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common. It’s not a good idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you are in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-347-384-5690 or send an email toinfo@doralhw.org.