Take us through what a patient such as Terrell Suggs might face in the coming days and weeks.
Generally, the surgery is done as outpatient surgery. The tendon is repaired with suture, and then afterward, after five to seven days, if the wound is healed, the limb is mobilized and therapy is begun. Some protocols will allow some weight-bearing in a protected fashion in the next 10 days to six weeks. Typically, we have them walk with the foot [in a brace] with a heel lift or the foot slightly down. The brace is repaired for strengthening and conditioning.
Between six and 12 weeks, the brace is brought to a more neutral position, and generally, people can do more aggressive activities, such as cycling and swimming. In terms of running, it varies depending on the magnitude of the tear and exactly what was needed surgically. Some people can return to jogging even at 10 weeks, and some go longer.
When might a football player such as Suggs realistically return to action after this injury?
In terms of full, aggressive play, it could be anywhere between three months and six months, depending on what was done. ... For someone like this [a high-level athlete], though, it's probably going to be more like six months.