ACL Repair and Achilles Tendon Repair

Written By: Sara Loch

Sports participation can help keep you healthy, but can also lead to injuries.  Minor sports injuries can be treated at home, but more serious injuries may require surgery.  Two common surgeries for sports injuries are ACL repair and Achilles tendon repair surgery.

ACL surgery Washington DC

Of the four main ligaments in your knee, the ACL is the one most often injured.  Sometimes, a minor ACL injury can be treated with rest, ice, and elevation; but more severe injuries will need ACL surgery Washington DC.  ACL repair Washington DC is usually done one of two ways: by replacing the injured tendon with a tendon grafted from a different part of the body, or by repairing the existing tendon.  When a tendon graft is used for ACL reconstruction Washington DC, the new tendon is threaded through tiny holes in your femur and tibia.  With the type of ACL surgery Washington DC that repairs the tendon, your surgeon will suture the tendon back together and place a braided suture alongside it to give you additional support.  Both types of ACL surgery Washington DC can usually be done using a minimally invasive procedure.  You can learn more about ACL surgery DC at www.medstarwashington.org.

Achilles tendon surgery

Your Achilles tendon is a long, fibrous cord in the lower leg.  It connects the muscles in your calf to your heel.  It is the largest tendon in your body and helps you walk, run, and jump.  The Achilles tendon can tear or rupture if it is hit with a sudden, strong force.  It can also degenerate overtime due to overuse.  Symptoms of damage to your Achilles tendon include pain, stiffness, or swelling along the Achilles tendon and the back of your heel.  During Achilles tendon repair surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in the back of your calf.  If the tendon is ruptured, he or she will sew it back together.  If the tendon has degenerated, the damaged part will be removed and the rest sewn back together.  If the damage is extensive, the surgeon may need to replace all or part of the Achilles tendon with a tendon from a different part of your foot.