Cheri
My advice search for doctors who specialize in this type of treatment/surgery and obtain several opinions. I developed chronic achilles tendonitis brought about by a bone spur which gouged the tendon every step I took. I began almost 4 years ago with non-invasive treatment which included steroids, ultra-sound therapy, physical therapy, a rest-cast for 6 weeks, etc. None of these treatments alleviated the pain and the pain became so intense I could not even sleep because of it. I then opted to have surgery to remove the bone spur which was to eliminte the problem with the tendon. I spent another 6 weeks in a cast, crutches and no weight on the foot for several weeks, with follow-up trips each month to the surgeon. I was told 5 months recovery time. At the end of a year I was continuing to experience intense pain and could not walk without limp and pain. On my last trip to the surgeon I explained that the condition had impacted my entire body, especially my back. He suggested a chiropractor!!!! At that point there was a tennis ball sized mass at the back of my heel. I sought, on my own, other treatment. I was sent by my regular Doctor to a sports-physical therapist, who, after a huge number of treatments was able, by extremely painful "mashing" of the heel mass, to reduce the size and hardness of it. I had therapy for about 5 months to the tune of $8000. The therapist finally suggested that he had done as much as he could and he recommended seeking an opinion from another specialist, which I did. Her analysis was - another surgery could leave me worse off than I am now and recommended a permanent leg brace for the rest of my life. I have constant pain and cannot walk without pain. My life is a wreck as a result of the surgery. Bottom line, get lots of opinions, talk to people who have had this surgery, and think long and hard about having it.