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Calcification Achilles Tendon

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Surfmonkey, Jun 26, 2009.

  1. Surfmonkey

    Surfmonkey Guest


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    I have a long time, ongoing problem with pain, limp, etc. Achilles tendon has developed calcification as the result of a "large" bone spur. Has anyone had surgery and had the bone spur removed, the achilles detached, some bad parts taken off. Also, they are talking about having to use a cadaver piece of tendon (I think the MRI showed some indications of tears in achilles). Anyhow, I am just looking for info. I have seen a Podiatrist, an Orthopedic and both say I need surgery...I am confused as to who should do the surgery. Also, I am thinking about seeing an Ortho that specializes in foot and ankle.

    Never really realized the extent of this surgery until I watched a video of the surgical procedure...Everyone tells me it will take me a year to recuperate. I am 60 years old, active, and in excellent shape--not at all sedentary.

    Any thoughts or opinions welcome...
     
  2. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    The bottom part of my achilles tendon had calcified so I had a burning sensation to the left of the tendon and the tendon itself felt as if it wasn't stretching long enough. I live in Humble TX and had a new type of surgery on it July 2. Ten small incensions were made in my heel enabling five small puncture holes were made into the calcified part. 50 holes in my case. This allows the blood vessels to once again flow through the achilles. I was on crutches for three days, would opt. for wheelchair next time. Monday the 6th I was fitted with a boot to wear anytime I am standing. Today I can hobble around on the boot and a shoe of nearly same height. Will wear this for three weeks then regular shoes I would assume and therapy. Far less invasive than conventional procedure. Dr. Jason Miller in Humble did the surgery. I'm 66. Amazingly enough not horrible painful and recovery has been fine. Need more info. rh8585@aol.com
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am going as we speak on Monday Nov 22 to have that surgery I will post if I am able what the out come is. I have been explained the surgery and have been told that the re coop is the brunt of the whole thing. Surgery 1hr, stay another hr then released then a good 6 wks out of work, with the beginning 2 no wt bearing. then between 6mos to 1yr before your back to baseline. :))
     
  4. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi just wondered how you all are getting on, I have been putting off having this op for 4 yrs the thought of the rehab has put me off, even though I'm in a lot of pain, I'm 43 with two huge bone growths on both ankles with also lots of micro tears within the tendons that need repairing, hope you all are ok and would be very interested to hear from anyone with this condition and their outcome after surgery
     
  5. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I had surgery on my left heel in Sept. 2008 to "de-calcify" the tendon, clean the connection area and to re-attach the tendon to my heel at a slightly higher point. Prior to the surgery they took an X-ray of my foot and you could see the tendon on the film (you nromally don't see tendons on x-ray's but due to the amount of calcium deposits around mine, it showed up as a line going up from the back of my heel).

    I was in a no weight cast for six weeks, then a walking boot for another six weeks while starting therapy. I was finished with in office PT around the end of January 2009. I still do some stretching of my foot and heel today to keep it limber.

    I am possibly looking at getting my right foot done in the next few months as it feels like my left one did back in 2008.

    If you are going to have this type of surgery, rest, let it heal, and do your therapy so you can get back to a normal walking life.
     
  6. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi and thanks for the reply, I see my surgeon every couple of months to see how its going , he is also reluctant to perform the surgery due to the extent of the calcification and advices it has to be a last resort, which i'm nearly at, would be interested to hear from anyone who has not had a succesfull recovery or has decided not to go ahead with op just to see how they cope would be good to hear both sides, I also now have back probs due to years of not walking correctly and that also concerns me , resting after an op I know will make my back worse,any info is really helpfull, thanks
     
  7. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I had a ruptured right achilles tendon in 2001 had surgery but never fully recovered. In 2008 had calcifications removed and have been worse since. Now left tendon has multiple calcifications causing severe pain, limping and they dont recommend surgery. I need help with this problem.
     
  8. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I'm staggering about at the moment, both my calcified achillies tendon's are throbbing with horrible stabbing pains, this is a horrible condition to have, both my doctor and surgeon are against the op until its absolutely needed ,due to not a very good success rate I too will need the tendon removed off the bone , then calcification and bone removed, heel reshaped and also tendon repair, but without 100% from surgeon what else is there and what am I supposed to do, feel totally lost, so I can really understand what others are going through :(
     
  9. Smokey

    Smokey Guest

    So what qualifies as "absolutely needed"? You say you're staggering about in pain on both heels.... Do you not be able to walk for it to be absolutely needed?

    I think you should ask for another opinion.
     
  10. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi again I get the impression that the surgeon is just not happy with doing the surgery and he's supposed to be a foot and ankle specialist, I think it's more to do with the condition which has been on going now for about 5 yrs and has got worse, if I had been advised to have the op and a few years back before it got this bad It may all be a distant memory and i'd have been back to my normal self.
     
  11. Both of my achillies tendons are calcified and one has a big lump so I cant fit into shoes with a back. Paind falre-ups are episodic, sometimes requiring crutches. At the moment they are calmed down...stiff, but not painful.

    This sounds like a surgery that is best put off until absolutely necessary. Is that the consensus?
     
  12. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Been a runner for many years,my heel has got steadily more painful for the last year.I have gone private to talk to a doctor specializing in heels etc. Tried a month of patches on the heel & an injection into the heel. It is still as painful .Next step is to try a vibration treatment ! Again he insists surgery is the last option. Has any one tried these treatments.
     
  13. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi I had an operation for this condition last May, I was back at work 3 weeks later, and with phyisio full recovered by August (I am 57). The problem seems now to have returned, I am again in pain and the stiffness is almost as bad as it was pre surgery. I am awaiting an appointment with the Surgen.
    E.S.
     
  14. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi all - has been really interesting reading your problems and answers! I'm an 18 year old female who is completly active with no other health complaints. About 4 months ago I started to notice some pain in the back, side of my heel, I (being the daughter of two medical professionals) completly ignored it and thought nothing of it. However as the time has gone on it has become increasingly painful to walk on and a large hard lump is now causing a constant dark black bruise to the area! I was wondering if this was similar to others experiences and in my case what they might do pain/treatment wise as anti inflammatorys are not helping! Do you think surgery might be an option given my age etc? Or are there other better treatments?! Hope your feet are all okay!!!! :):):)
     
  15. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I recently had ankle debridement and tendon transplant for my achilles tendonosis and calcification. Had pain for around 5 years that got increasingly worse. My surgery was done by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle. He had no hesitation or reservations about the outcome of the surgery and I have been quite pleased with the result. The healing was inconvenient (non weight bearing for 6 weeks) but not painful. Some pain involved in physical therapy but that was expected. Not close to the pain a year ago with physical therapy post knee replacement. I have no idea what pain tolerance is in other people or how often they have the pain. That would certainly be a consideration in opting for or against surgery. I was at the point where any walking was painful--grocery shopping nearly impossible. i tried physical therpay, injections, splints, braces and prescriptions. There was nothing left to try so I felt like my doctor did everything he could to avoid the surgery. For me the return of my freedom to walk whenever and as long as I please far surpassed any reason for not having it.
     
  16. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am a 75 yo woman in excellent physical condition..I walk and bike moderately most days...who has a severe calcification of my Achilles tendon with a large ridge of bone beneath. My orthopedic surgeon recommends surgical treatment. I currently can walk only with a cane and In 3 inch heels with substantial pain. What are your experiences with post surgical limitations ... How long, what kinds? Describe the course of events please so I can prepare.
     
  17. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    So interesting to read all of your post. Let me say that my problem started around my right ankle. Tendons calcified and I didn't know it. Played volleyball one day and all of a sudden the pain was so excruciating that I could not walk. They thought I had a small fracture and I was in a boot cast for a month. CAT SCAN showed the calcification. I was to have surgery last November but, due to my foot, lost my job and my insurance. Now went back to my surgeon and he still recommends the surgery. Cadaver replacement of the tendon. Well, 2 weeks ago I had so much pain in my left heel that I could not walk and stayed in bed crying all day. X-ray showed that the calcification problem was also on my left heel! Not excited about that. So surgeon (Who is supposed to be the best in all of New England) tells me we will worry about the right foot first and then worry about the left later. So if I end up getting surgery on both, I will basically not be back to myself for more than a year. I have already been out of work due to my feet for a year. This is tough. They have tried having my foot in a boot to making a special splint that cost me $800 and nothing has helped!! So, here I am waiting for the surgeons secretary to call me to schedule the FIRST surgery! Good Luck to you all!
     

  18. I am 76 years old, in good shape. Had same problem with tearing and calcification. Was seeing a physician about it when I accidentally fell over a box and completely tore the achilles from the heel. The surgeon was somewhat hesitant to operate due to my 'aga' but I insisted. Had the spur removed and the heel shaved smooth, the achilles trimmed and the calcification cleaned out then they split the tendon to my big toe and used half of it to reinforce the achilles. Cast 6 weeks, cane 1 week (when I was touring Cuba 5 days after cast came off,) then physical therapy (I was faithful and pushed it) and in 5 months was completely back to normal. Hiking, biking, walking, etc. I would have it done again in a NY second if I needed it. Surgery was not particularly painful and recovery is complete as far as I can tell.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2013
  19. JMJ

    JMJ Guest

    Hello Everyone,
    I just went to an orthopedic doc today and found out I also have the calcific tendonitis achilles tendon issue. He gave me a prescription for some gel to use topically for pain and inflammation. I haven't gotten it filled yet. Looked up some information on the web and looks like surgery is in my future. Wondering if all end up having surgery??? Mine has been hurting pretty steadily since July and it is now November. My entire foot hurts including my toes...is that how it is with all of you? Feeling discouraged that this isn't something that I could just get a shot for and have it go away.
     
  20. Carin

    Carin Guest

     
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