Muscle & Tendon Repair

Common Causes

• Overuse or repetitive strain. Repeated movements over time place cumulative stress on muscles and tendons that can lead to small tears, inflammation, and gradual breakdown of the tissue.

• Acute sporting or physical injury. A sudden forceful movement, awkward landing, or direct impact can cause a muscle or tendon to tear partially or completely. The Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, and quadriceps repairs are among the most common.

• Age-related degeneration. As tendons age, they lose some of their elasticity and become more vulnerable to injury. Tears that occur with relatively little force are often the result of tissue that has weakened gradually over time.

• Falls or trauma. A fall can place extreme force on a muscle or tendon in an instant, causing a rupture that requires prompt assessment and, in some cases, surgical repair.

Benefits

• Tailored treatment options. Muscle and tendon injuries vary considerably in severity and location. Dr. Barrett's approach is to match the treatment to the individual, recommending surgery only when it offers a meaningfully better outcome than conservative management.

• Pain relief and restored strength. Addressing the underlying injury directly, whether through surgical repair or targeted non-surgical treatment, reduces pain and begins the process of restoring the strength and stability.

• Return to normal functions. The goal of treatment is to allow patients to return to the activities that matter to them, whether that is sport, physical work, or simply moving through daily life without pain or limitation.

• Accelerated healing with PRP. For certain tendon injuries, platelet-rich plasma injections offer an option to support and speed up the healing process, reducing the time spent in recovery.

Common Muscle and Tendon Repair Procedures

Repair of Achilles Tendon Ruptures

The Achilles tendon is the largest in the body. If ruptured, it can lead to a loss of normal function, making movement and walking difficult. The advanced Percutaneous Achilles Repair System (PARS) from Arthrex is a modern, minimally invasive technique, and offers benefits such as faster operation and recovery time, blood supply preservation, and minimal wound-related problems.

Treatment of Damaged Tendons with PRP Injections

A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a technique that uses the patient's own blood platelets. The injection itself is comprised of highly concentrated platelets, cytokines, and growth factors. It is administered directly to the injury site to facilitate and optimise the healing process.

Damaged Knee Tendon Repair

For a quadriceps and patellar tendon tear, Dr. Barrett inserts sutures within the tendon and guides them via drill holes to the top of the kneecap, ensuring the correct amount of tension within the tendon for a successful reconnection. The repair is augmented with a very strong surgical tape, and through rehabilitation, the patient regains movement that provides them with a normal quality of life.

Gluteus Tendon Repairs

A gluteus tendon tear occurs when the tendons holding the bones and gluteal muscles rupture either partially or completely. This repair involves reconnecting the ruptured tendon to the bone, or reconstructing the tendon utilising tissue grafts from the patient’s body (or tissue from a donor).

Tendinosis Treatment with PRP

Tendinosis arises from the gradual deterioration of the tendon collagen due to chronic overuse. PRP is known to increase collagen production, and is a widely adopted treatment in sports medicine and Orthopaedic surgery to resolve tendon injuries.

Re-Attachment of Distal Biceps Tendon

There are various surgical approaches to reconnect the distal biceps tendon to the bone. The most common surgical technique involves using stitches to connect the tendon through holes in the radius bone. An alternative surgery technique connects the tendon to the bone by utilising tiny metallic implants. Dr. Barrett will decide on the most appropriate surgical approach based on the patient’s examination, medical history and diagnostic report.

What to Expect Prior to Surgery

1. A pre-operative assessment. Dr. Barrett will review the patient's symptoms through examination to confirm the diagnosis and plan the surgery. General health is also assessed to make sure the patient is fit for the operation and anaesthetic.

2. A medication review. Patients may be asked to stop certain medicines (such as blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs) in the days before surgery.

3. Final surgery preparation. The patient may be asked not to eat or drink for several hours before the operation. Depending on the nature of the procedure, the patient may need to arrange support at home during the early stages of recovery. Dr. Barrett's team will advise them on what to expect and how to prepare the home environment ahead of time.

What to Expect During Surgery

The approach will vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury.

For surgical repairs, the procedure is performed under general or regional anaesthesia and involves carefully accessing the damaged tissue, reattaching or reconstructing the torn muscle or tendon, and securing the repair so that healing can begin under the right conditions. Most surgical procedures take between 1 and 2 hours.

For PRP injections, the process involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting it directly into the affected area. The procedure is performed in a controlled theatre setting and typically takes around 30 minutes.

In both cases, the focus is on precision and creating the best possible conditions for the tissue to heal fully and durably.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery from muscle and tendon repair depends on the size and location of the injury, as well as the treatment approach used. The following is a general guide:

Days 1 – 14

Rest and protection of the repaired area are the priority immediately following surgery or a procedure. Pain and swelling are normal and are managed with medication. A splint, brace, or sling may be used to protect the repair during this period.

Weeks 2 – 6

Physiotherapy begins gradually, with gentle movement introduced to prevent stiffness and begin restoring the range of motion. The pace of progression is guided by how the tissue is healing and Dr. Barrett's assessment at follow-up.

Weeks 6 – 12

Strengthening exercises become the focus as the repair consolidates. Most patients notice a meaningful improvement in comfort and function during this period and begin returning to light daily activities.

Months 3 – 6

Full recovery, particularly for significant tendon repairs, typically takes between 3 and 6 months. Return to sport or demanding physical activity is reintroduced carefully and only when the tissue is strong enough to tolerate it safely.