Orthopaedics
Keyhole Achilles Tendon Surgery
Minimally invasive treatment for Achilles tendon conditions — weight-bearing from day one, back in action in 3-4 weeks.
Keyhole Surgery
Two 1cm incisions only
Weight-Bearing Day One
No plaster cast required
Back in 3-4 Weeks
Faster than open surgery
About This Procedure
What is a Foot & Ankle Surgery?
If you wake up in the morning with pain on your first step, or notice a growing lump at the back of your heel, this is likely a mechanical problem caused by bone growth irritating the Achilles tendon. Conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and stretching may not resolve the issue because a physical piece of bone is irritating the tendon. At Optimised Care, we offer keyhole (minimally invasive) Achilles tendon surgery — a significant advancement over traditional open surgery. Through two one-centimetre incisions, your surgeon can access the Achilles tendon, remove the bone spur from the inside, debride the surrounding tissues and give the tendon a fresh start. This means faster recovery, less pain and no plaster cast.
Common Question
How is this different from open surgery?
In most hospitals across the UK, Achilles tendon bone spurs are treated with open surgery — the tendon is detached, the bone reshaped, and metal anchors are used to reattach it. Recovery typically takes around three months. Our keyhole approach avoids detaching the tendon entirely, uses only two small incisions, and allows you to bear weight from day one with no plaster cast required.
Step by Step
What happens on the day?
01
Admission and preparation
You will arrive at The Bromsgrove Hospital and be welcomed by our clinical team. Your anaesthetist will discuss the anaesthetic plan — typically a general anaesthetic with a local nerve block for post-operative pain relief.
02
The procedure
The keyhole surgery takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Your surgeon makes two one-centimetre incisions to access the Achilles tendon. Using a small camera and specialised instruments, the bone spur is shaved away from the inside and the surrounding tissue is debrided to give the tendon a fresh, smooth surface.
03
Recovery room
After surgery you will spend time in the recovery room while the anaesthetic wears off. The nursing team will monitor your comfort and manage any initial pain with your tailored pain relief plan.
04
Discharge
Most patients go home the same day. You will be able to bear weight immediately in a supportive shoe. Your surgeon will provide clear instructions for wound care and a follow-up plan.
Key Benefits
Why choose private foot & ankle surgery?
→Keyhole surgery — only two 1cm incisions
→Weight-bearing from day one, no plaster cast
→Back to normal activities in 3-4 weeks (vs 3 months for open surgery)
→Tendon is not detached — no metal anchors needed
→Less post-operative pain than traditional open approach
→Same-day discharge in most cases
Pricing
Transparent pricing.
Price on Consultation
Includes pre-operative assessment, procedure, anaesthesia and first follow-up appointment.
Unlike many private hospitals, our price covers everything — surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital stay, and follow-up. No surprise bills.
Book a Consultation →No GP referral required
Using health insurance?
We accept Aviva, Bupa, Healix, Vitality, and WPA.
Contact us with your membership number — we handle pre-authorisation.
View insurance information →Your Outcomes
Recovery after keyhole Achilles surgery
Recovery from keyhole Achilles tendon surgery is significantly faster than traditional open surgery. You will be weight-bearing from day one in a supportive shoe, with no plaster cast required. Most patients return to normal activities within 3-4 weeks.
Day 1
Weight-bearing in a supportive shoe. Gentle movement encouraged.
1-2 weeks
Wound check and dressing removal. Gradual increase in walking.
3-4 weeks
Return to normal daily activities and most work. Begin physiotherapy.
6-8 weeks
Return to sport and high-impact activities with consultant approval.
Foot & Ankle Surgery is a well-established procedure with a high success rate. As with all surgery, risks exist including infection, blood clots, and complications. Your consultant will discuss your individual risk profile before you proceed.
Your Questions
Your questions, answered.
Book a Consultation
Ready to take the next step?
Book an initial consultation for foot & ankle surgery — a no-commitment chat with our clinical coordinator. Pick a date that suits you and we’ll call within 24 hours to arrange the exact time with your consultant.
June 2026
Pick a date that suits you
This is your preferred date. We’ll confirm the exact time when we call.
Prefer to speak with someone?
No GP referral required. Same-week appointments available.
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