Achilles Tendon Repair Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for achilles tendon repair: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
What to expect
Footwear Guidelines
- •Wear the surgical boot/shoe as directed until cleared
- •Transition to stiff, supportive shoes with a wide toe box
- •Supportive athletic shoes are ideal during recovery
- •Custom orthotics may help prevent recurrence
Achilles Tendon Repair recovery, day by day
Immediate Aftercare
- ELEVATE your foot above heart level as much as possible, aim for 90% of the time
- Keep the surgical boot/cast/splint on at all times
- Ice behind the knee or around, not directly on the surgical site: 20 min on, 20 min off
- Non-weight-bearing: use crutches, knee scooter, or wheelchair. Do NOT put weight on the surgical foot.
Pain Management
- Take pain medication on schedule for the first 48-72 hours. Do not wait for pain to get bad.
- Swelling is the #1 cause of pain. Elevation is your best treatment.
- Keep the ankle in the position set by your surgeon. Do NOT flex the foot.
Wound Care & Mobility
- First post-op visit for bandage change and wound check
- Continue non-weight-bearing or limited weight-bearing as directed
- Keep the foot dry. Cover with a plastic bag for showering.
- Swelling will peak around day 3-5. This is normal. Keep elevating.
Transition
- May transition from cast to walking boot with heel wedges.
- Begin gentle range-of-motion exercises as directed
- Physical therapy starts, gentle stretching, no push-off yet
- Follow up for X-rays to confirm healing
Return to Activity
- Gradual return to running/sport. Typically 4-6 months post-surgery.
- Some swelling at end of day can persist for 6-12 months. This is normal.
- Custom orthotics may be recommended for long-term support
- Full healing of bone takes 6-12 months even after return to activity
When to call your provider or 911
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Toes turn blue, white, or are numb for more than a few hours
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Severe pain not controlled by medication
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Calf pain, swelling, or warmth, sign of blood clot
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Fever above 101°F
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Wound has foul smell, pus, or increasing redness
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Cast or boot feels too tight or causes skin breakdown
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 7
Post-Op Visit
Wound check, bandage change, X-ray
- Day 14
Recovery Progress Check
Notice what is improving, unchanged, or worsening. Contact the care team if symptoms are getting worse or the next step is unclear.
- Day 42
Recovery Progress Check
Notice what is improving, unchanged, or worsening. Contact the care team if symptoms are getting worse or the next step is unclear.
- Day 84
Recovery Progress Check
Notice what is improving, unchanged, or worsening. Contact the care team if symptoms are getting worse or the next step is unclear.
- Day 120
Ongoing Recovery Review
Review any remaining symptoms or restrictions with the care team before changing your routine.
For clinics
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact achilles tendon repair recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
HIPAA compliant. No card, no contract.