Mixed feelings about tenotomy - share your experience?
18 November 2025 · 5 replies · 227 views
Original post — 18 November 2025
We're coming to the end of casting (5 casts done! 🎉) and the consultant says we need an Achilles tenotomy before boots and bar. I know it's a tiny procedure but the thought of someone cutting my baby's tendon makes me feel sick.
Can anyone tell me honestly what it was like? How long did recovery take? Did your baby seem in pain after? I need real experiences not just leaflets 💙
Can anyone tell me honestly what it was like? How long did recovery take? Did your baby seem in pain after? I need real experiences not just leaflets 💙
5 Replies
Reply — 20 November 2025
The tenotomy was the thing I was MOST scared of and honestly? It was nothing. Like actually nothing.
Done at Birmingham Children's. 5 minutes. Local anaesthetic. My son cried for 30 seconds then fell asleep with a bottle. Home within 2 hours.
The cast after stays on 3 weeks and when they took it off the improvement was incredible. You've got this mama 💙🦶
Done at Birmingham Children's. 5 minutes. Local anaesthetic. My son cried for 30 seconds then fell asleep with a bottle. Home within 2 hours.
The cast after stays on 3 weeks and when they took it off the improvement was incredible. You've got this mama 💙🦶
Reply #2 — 22 November 2025
I was EXACTLY where you are. Couldn't sleep the night before. Watched YouTube videos (DO NOT recommend btw).
Reality: baby slept through it. I am not joking. She was feeding and the consultant did it and she didn't even flinch. The local anaesthetic works really well.
Recovery was 3 weeks in the final cast then boots and bar. She was fine. I wish I hadn't spent weeks worrying 😅
Reality: baby slept through it. I am not joking. She was feeding and the consultant did it and she didn't even flinch. The local anaesthetic works really well.
Recovery was 3 weeks in the final cast then boots and bar. She was fine. I wish I hadn't spent weeks worrying 😅
Reply #3 — 26 November 2025
The Achilles tenotomy is a minimally invasive procedure - approximately 5mm incision through which the tendon is released. Under local anaesthesia, most infants experience minimal discomfort.
The tendon regenerates at the correct length within the 3-week casting period. This is one of the remarkable aspects of Ponseti method.
Complications are extremely rare. It's completely normal to feel anxious. Please ask your clinical team for a detailed explanation 💙
The tendon regenerates at the correct length within the 3-week casting period. This is one of the remarkable aspects of Ponseti method.
Complications are extremely rare. It's completely normal to feel anxious. Please ask your clinical team for a detailed explanation 💙
Reply #4 — 30 November 2025
had it done 4 weeks ago and already forgetting about it tbh. baby was bothered for maybe an hour after. paracetamol sorted him out.
the anticipation was 100x worse than the actual thing. SUCH a relief when its done. congrats on nearly finishing casting!! 🎉
the anticipation was 100x worse than the actual thing. SUCH a relief when its done. congrats on nearly finishing casting!! 🎉
Reply #5 — 4 December 2025
adding to the reassurance - my husband (absolute wimp about medical stuff, sorry babe 😂) was the one who went with our son. Even HE said it was fine and he nearly passed out watching the casting lol
youre almost through the hardest part!! 💙
youre almost through the hardest part!! 💙
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