In regards to Surgical Repair of the Achilles Tendon, Buyer Beware. I recently (10 weeks ago) underwent surgery to repair my Achilles Tendon. The surgeon and I discussed the procedure and possible complications (or so I thought) the day prior to surgery. I had an MRI Scheduled at 4 pm the day prior to my surgery which was scheduled for 7 am. I thought GEE, that is a short time between these two events, so I asked the surgeon if he would have the results prior to the surgery. He said, NO, We don't need the MRI, we know the tendon is ruptured and agree it needs repaired, we can cancell the MRI. So I trusted his opinion and continued into surgery. A couple of weeks after the surgery I noticed that I could not dorsiflex my toes and that the big toe and second toe were completely numb. I also began having Intense stabbing pains all over the bottom of my foot. So intense that as I would lie in the bed and cringe in pain, shout out, and jerk uncontrollably due to the pain, that my wife would break down to tears because she was scared for me. I have intense sensations on the bottom of my foot. I can't even touch the bottom unless I have a sock on. I can't walk barefoot on carpet because the sensations which are indescribable are so intense that I cant stand it. I can walk with a sock or shoe on, but getting them on is a chore due to the sensations. I had some conversations with my ortho regarding this and he said there was no way he could have done anything to the nerve, but the anesthesiologist may have damaged it during the popliteal block. He pointed out the scar and then pointed out where the nerve is supposes to be located anatomically, (but everyone is not exactly the same, and without an MRI, we have no real way of knowing that the nerve is not closer to the incision than the 1/2 inch that he pointed out). Since that time My family doctor did a monofilament test and concluded nerve damage. She referred me to a Neurologist, Which I think should have been standard of care for the ortho to do. I also believe standard of care for the ortho would have been to postpone surgery and go ahead with the MRI pre-op. The Neurologist also confirmed neuropathy and we have an EMG sheduled in a couple of days. I am not posting this necessarily for help or advice, but rather as a warning to anyone who may have recently ruptured their Achilles Tendon. For your future sake make sure that the ortho has the results of an MRI or some other diagnostic test that points out the exact location of every tissue near where he is going to cut. I have done significant research since the ordeal began and have observed that the Tibial Nerve is usually located directly in front of the achilles tendon. I cannot say as of yet if the surgeon caused this damage or if the anesthesiologist caused it, but I do know that prior to visiting these two, my nervous system was perfectly in tact, I could move all of my toes and didn't have any of the sensations I am now having. Currently I am on a 3 times a day dose of Neurontin totalling 2400 milligrams per day. This has diminished the number of pain occurences per day to about 60 or so, but the intensity is still the same. I have about 2 to 3 episodes of excruciating pain per hour. It is worst during the nights and in the morning after I wake. Bear in mind, I am a young athletic man. I was on the varsity basketball team in college. I have broken bones, dislocated joints, broken my nose and had a slue of other injuries, but none of them hurt as bad as one episode of this pain, and I have 60 episodes per day, and was having countless episodes before the drugs. I almost think that if I can't heal soon, that I would rather them cut off an otherwise healthy foot just to get rid of the pain. Had this been discussed with me prior to surgery I would have undoubtedly opted for casting. But then again, IF an MRI had been performed, perhaps I would be pain free. The tendon is otherwise doing great. I am regaining some strength and range of motion. I still have a real bad limp, but the ortho has not released the PT to perform passive exercises to really stretch the tendon out. He says this is because he may have stretched the nerve during the operation and he doesn't want any stretching of the tendon to be done untill we find out what has caused the nerve damage. I wish you all good luck in your recovery from Achilles Tendon rupture, but please insist on proper diagnostic test before you let them put you to sleep and start hacking around on you.