Do You Have to Get Surgery for a Torn Achilles?
The Truth About Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatment
Tearing your Achilles tendon is a big deal—and if it’s just happened to you, you're probably wondering:
“Do I need surgery?”
The answer might surprise you. In many cases, you can recover from an Achilles rupture without surgery—as long as it’s caught early and managed properly with the right rehab.
This non-surgical approach is called conservative management, and it’s something we use more and more with great results.
First, What Is an Achilles Rupture?
Your Achilles tendon is the strong band at the back of your ankle that connects your calf muscles to your heel. It helps you walk, run, jump—pretty much everything.
A rupture usually happens with a sudden movement (often during sport), and people describe it like:
“It felt like someone kicked me in the leg.”
“I heard a snap or pop.”
“I couldn’t push off or walk properly afterward.”
For years, surgery was the go-to option. But not anymore.
What Is Conservative Treatment?
Conservative treatment means healing the tendon without surgery.
It’s not just “resting it”—it’s a structured plan that includes:
Wearing a special boot to protect the tendon in the early weeks
Gradually putting more weight through the leg at the right time
Guided physio to rebuild strength, balance, and confidence
The key is getting started quickly and doing it properly.
Does It Actually Work?
Yes. When managed correctly, conservative treatment can work just as well as surgery for many people.
A recent review in Journal of Foot and Ankle Research (2022) showed that non-surgical treatment—paired with the right rehab—had similar results to surgery in terms of re-rupture rates and strength outcomes (Kearney et al., 2022).
Another study from 2023 even showed fewer complications with the non-surgical option, like avoiding wound infections or scar tissue issues (Oliva et al., 2023).
Is It Right for You?
Not everyone is a perfect fit for conservative treatment—but many people are.
It might be a good option if:
Your rupture is in the middle of the tendon (not pulled off the bone)
You were diagnosed within a week or two of injury
You’re happy to follow a structured rehab plan
You’re working with a physio who knows how to manage tendon injuries
If you're a pro athlete or if the tear is complicated, surgery might still be best—but that’s something we’ll help you figure out.
What Physio Looks Like After a Rupture
Rehab is absolutely essential—this isn’t something you want to DIY.
In physio, we guide you through:
Boot fitting and weaning off safely
Gentle movement and strength building
Balance and walking retraining
Sport or activity-specific exercises (when you’re ready)
Recovery takes time, but it’s 100% doable with a plan—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
A torn Achilles might feel like the end of the world—but it’s not. And no, you don’t always need surgery to make a full recovery.
The most important thing is getting the right advice early. If you or someone you know has recently injured their Achilles, get it checked out as soon as possible. The earlier we start, the better the results.
We’re Here to Help
At Thrive Physio, we help people recover from Achilles injuries with personalised, expert rehab. If you’re unsure whether you need surgery—or if you just want a second opinion—book an appointment with one of our senior physios today.
Let’s get you moving again.
