Surgery vs. Conservative Treatments

The Mayo Clinic website indicates you can treat this condition without surgery. This approach eliminates the complications unique to surgery---like infection--but recovery often takes longer and you have an increased risk of another rupture. Emedicine.com, a clinical reference website, indicates those treated with conservative approaches are three times more likely to rerupture, while those treated surgically experience 33 percent more complications.

Surgery

Surgery repairs the injured tendon by stitching the torn portions together again. Doctors will place your leg in some sort of device, like a walking boot or cast, for six to eight weeks afterward.

Nonsurgical Options

Nonsurgical treatments allow the tendon to repair itself. You need to wear a cast or walking boot for up to 10 weeks or longer. If you have certain conditions like diabetes, vascular disease or other conditions associated with poor wound healing, this might be your only option, as surgery presents several risks.

Physical Therapy

Regardless of your treatment approach, you need physical therapy after you have healed to strengthen your muscles and tendon.

Healing

Once you have undergone treatment and physical therapy, you will probably be able to resume normal activity within four to six months, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

Emedicine: Treatment and Medication

Mayo Clinic: Treatments and Drugs