The surgical procedure where the damaged tendons are repaired. The tendons are basically a cord like structures that are strong fibrous connective tissue which connects the muscles to bones. The most affected areas by tendon injuries are knee, ankle joints and elbow. The purpose is to restore or repair the normal function the regular function of the joints by following a tendon laceration.
Tendon Repair Flexor
Basically there are 2 tendons that run on the palm side in every finger. The tendons usually goes in a narrows down in the tunnel. The first tendon runs to the fingertip and bends the end joint while the second tendon runs to the middle bone and bends the first finger joint. If one or both tendons are cut or injured, a person can never be able to bend his finger.
Tendon Repair Extensor
The function of the Achilles tendon is to join the underneath of the muscle to heel, behind the ankle. The Achilles tendon allows to point out the foot either down or raise up the heel. The problem of Achilles tendon rupture usually happens in men in between forties to fifties while playing sports like badminton or squash. If the tendon is not repaired, the person can never be able to bend his foot down with strength. This problem can lead to the inability to stand on tiptoes or finding difficult to go upstairs.
Shoulder Tendon repair (Rotator Cuff)
The function of the rotator cuff is to make the arm move. It is the collection of tendons over the top of the shoulder. The reason behind the torn tendon could be a tendon rubbing against the bone above. If a person has a torn rotator, he or she will face pain in moving or using their arms. The other major problem could be difficulty in lifting the arm above the shoulder height.
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Achilles tendon (heel cord) rupture happens when there is a sharp pain at the back of the ankle and on the lower leg. This problem makes it difficult to walk properly. The person feels as if he has been shot or kicked badly. Overstretching of the tendon can lead to its tear or rupture. The tear usually happens above the person’s heel bone but the tear can also occur anywhere along the tendon. The rupture can either be partial or complete. The surgical repair is required to heal the tendon rupture.
Achilles Tendon Rupture Symptoms
- Inability in walking properly or difficulty in bending the foot down
- If the tendon is completely ruptured, then it poses difficulty to rise on the toes on the injured leg
- Severe swelling and pain near the heel
The causes that resulted in repeated stress on the Achilles tendon include-
- Flat feet
- Weak calf muscles
- Overuse
- Ill-fitting or worn out shoes
- Running on hard surfaces and hills
- Tight calf muscles
- Poor stretching habits
Rotator Cuff Repair
It is made of a group of 4 tendons and connected muscles that stabilizes the shoulder joint and enables the person to rotate and raise their arm. The joint of the shoulder is basically a ball and socket joint having 3 bones such as the humerus (the upper arm), clavicle (the collarbone) and scapula (the shoulder blade). All these major bones are connected together by tendons, the joint capsule, ligaments and muscles. The purpose of the rotator cuff is to hold the ball of the arm seated into the socket of the shoulder blade. The surgery is performed to repair the worn out tendon in the shoulder.
Rotator Cuff Repair Procedure
- The surgery starts first by removing the fragments of the bursa, other debris and tendon from inside the shoulder at the point of movement of the rotator cuff.
- The next step is to make the space enough for the rotator cuff tendon to avoid it from irritation. This may also include removing the bone spurs or shaving the bone from the tip of the shoulder blade.
- In the last step, the supraspinatus tendon’s torn edges are sewn and also at the peak of the humerus bone (upper arm).
Rotator Cuff Repair Benefits
- The surgery improves the working of the shoulder
- The patient feels a great improvement in performing the daily activities
- With the help of the surgery, the patient can regain the lost function and comfort of the shoulders.
- The surgery can repair the tendon back to the bone from where it has been torn provided the good tissue quality and quantity.
Patella Tendon Repair
The patella tendon is basically a structure which connects the patella (knee cap) to the shin bone. It works with the muscles in the front of your thigh (quadriceps) in order to straighten the leg. The problem can occur in anyone but is generally seen in the middle-aged people who are involved in jumping or running sports. The eccentric contraction happens when the quadriceps muscles contract and the knee is vigorously straightened. This puts a lot of stress on the tendon.
Cost of Tendon Repair
The patients from all the world visits to avail treatments in India as the cost of surgeries and treatments are extremely low. The cost is about 50 % less in India as compared to the developed countries of UK, and U.S.
FAQs for TENDON REPAIR SURGERY
Ques: What is Tendon?
Ans: Tendon is a flexible but inelastic cord made of strong fibrous collagen tissue that connects skeletal muscles to a bone. They are located at each end of a muscle, they attach muscle to bone and are found all over the body from the head and neck to down the feet. Achilles tendon is the main tendon in our body attached to calf muscle to the heel bone.
Ques: What is Tendon Repair?
Ans: Tendon Repair is a surgical procedure to treat damaged and torn tendons. Tendons are soft and flexible, when muscles shrink tendons pull bones to make joints move easily but if the tendon has been damaged then joints movements will be very limited. The main idea of doing Tendon Repair Surgery is to give normal and regular function to the joints.
Ques: What is Achilles tendinopathy?
Ans: Achilles tendinopathy is an advanced medical term use for tendinitis. When the patient feels severe pain in the lower leg and back of the ankle which makes a problem in walking, then the doctor recommends surgical repair to cure this problem.
Ques: What are Tendon Repair Flexor and its repair?
Ans: Tendon Repair Flexor is a surgical procedure that is performed to achieve the normal functioning of thumb and fingers. Flexor tendons help in bending the thumb and finger towards the palm. There are two flexor tendons in each finger and thumb. After the surgery, the hand movement will be very limited.
Ques: Is Ice or heat better for relief from pain?
Ans: Ice is the best choice for pain relief in comparison to heat because ice freezes pain and makes blood vessels to compress which helps in reducing swelling. Whereas heat will be benefited for chronic tendinitis pain which increases blood flow and helps in healing and relaxation of muscles.
Ques: Will cortisone/corticosteroid injections help?
Ans: Orthopedic doctors, generally used this injection to treat long-lasting conditions like tendinitis, arthritis, and bursitis. These are injected in soft tissues and joints to decrease inflammation. These are not pain relief injections. You can also discuss the same in your consultation with your doctor.
Ques: What happens if I have tendonitis in the biceps?
Ans: Tendonitis of biceps generally comes in the shoulder and caused by lifting heavy weights and overhead activities. Tendonitis exists in the form of pain in front and sides of the shoulder which gets worse by the activities like overhead or lifting. Most patients experience pain and discomfort during night-time. If patients are not relieved with anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapies, then they should consult with orthopedic doctors for proper cure.
Ques: Is surgery the only option for the repair of torn Achilles tendons?
Ans: Surgery is the better option to repair Achilles tendon. You can choose minimally invasive or Arthroscopic procedures because medication and physical therapy will give you effective healing for some time. However, if this problem will last for a long time then there would be a greater risk in the future as well.
Ques: How I will be diagnosed?
Ans: Generally, the doctor can diagnose the same in the physical examination by asking the details of the symptoms. To confirm the same X-ray and MRI will be required.
Ques: What are the common muscle and tendon injuries in the shoulder?
Ans: There are many common muscles and tendon injuries in the shoulder such as Shoulder Bursitis, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Tears, and Rotator Cuff Tendinitis. All these conditions are related to each other but they have so much difference.
Ques: How will I be aware that I have rotator cuff tears?
Ans: If you are feeling pain and swelling in the front side of your shoulder and that pain is increasing continuously it means you have a rotator cuff tear.
Ques: Do shoulder injuries heal on their own?
Ans: Yes, mild and average tendonitis can heal with rest and conservative treatments in 6 to 8 weeks on its own. However, patients with severe injury will have to undergo surgery as it will be the only option. The best option is to consult with a doctor and he will give an exact idea regarding the treatment.
Ques: Which Anesthesia will be used during this surgery?
Ans: General and local anesthesia will be used during this surgery. Anesthesia will be given according to the patient’s medical condition and on which part tendon repair surgery is taking place.
Ques: What is the procedure for this surgery?
Ans: After giving the anesthesia, the surgeon will make one cut on the skin from where he can examine the injured tendon. Then he will remove the damaged tendon tissues and sew torn ends of the tendons. In the last, the surgeon sews the cut skin with medical stitches. The wound will be covered with a dressing.
Ques: For how long I need to stay in the hospital?
Ans: You will be staying in hospitals for 3 to 4 days. However, the doctor usually discharges their patients after detailed evaluations.
Ques: What about risk factors involved in the tendon repair surgery?
Ans: The most common risk factors are stiffness in joints which results in less movement. It happens due to the reason of torn tendon over again and it forms scar tissues which eventually results in stiffness. Except for these, some medical conditions can affect this surgery such as smoking, diabetes, consuming alcohol, heart problems, obesity, and nervous problems. If you have any of these problems kindly inform the same to your doctor.
Ques: How important is the rehabilitation program after surgery?
Ans: TRehabilitation program plays an important role after surgical and non –surgical treatment of tendon repair. This program helps in recovery strength and improvement in joints. After surgery, the muscles of the body get weak and rehabilitation gives strength to muscles. The rehabilitation program can be for many weeks which the doctor will advise according to the treatment you have undergone.
Ques: What is the approximate cost for the Tendon Repair Surgery and how I can get an
Ans: To know about the Tendon Repair Surgery cost and appointment, kindly contact on below details.