DiyInjuryRehab.com

Do I Need Surgery for my Achilles Tendonitis?

This depends on your Doctor.
The pain of Achilles Tendinopathy is not from the degeneration changes in the tendon but apparently from new blood vessels and their nerve supply. These new blood vessels appear as part of the repair process.
It is thought that doing eccentric exercises may help to minimise the formation or even perhaps reduce this neovascularisation (new blood vessel growth).

The surgery strips away the paratenon which surrounds the Achilles Tendon and the surgeon may also remove any dead (necrotic) tissue and calcification in the body of the tendon. By removing the new blood vessels and their nerves the pain is diminished.

My advice for what it’s worth would be to not undergo surgery until you have completed at least 8 weeks of eccentric exercises and show no lasting signs of recovery.

Find out more about Achilles Tendon Surgery at Surgical Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture

Does Rest Cure Achilles Tendonitis?

Rest will settle the pain of Achilles Tendinopathy.
Settling the pain is not the same as a cure!

If you haven’t done it yet read Achilles Tendonitis – What Is It?

Rest will allow the inflammation to calm down but you will still have the tendon degeneration taking place.
Type-III collagen is laid down which can’t handle the stress of running.
So as long as you don’t want to exercise properly again – rest up!

Answer

NO! NO! NO!
You need to exercise properly and stimulate repair that is strong and lasting.

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