Can A Calf Implant Restore The Size of My Calf After A Ruptured Achilles Tendon?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am inquiring about getting a calf implant. I had ruptured achilles on my right leg about 10 years ago and muscle never developed back properly.

A: One of the most common reasons for a calf implant is to improve lower leg asymmetry after such congenital problems as clubfoot or traumatic injuries. When the achilles tendon is ruptured, the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles which are attached to it can become atrophic due to immobility and subsequent muscle atrophy. Even with rehabilitation, the muscle volume does not come back. Calf implant augmentation can help restore some of the volume by adding volume under the fascia but on top of the muscle. Based on the size of the medial head of your gastrocnemius muscle (length and width) different sized calf implants are available to augment it. This is done an incision on the back of the knee.This is done as an outpatient procedure that usually takes about 30 minutes for the insertion of one calf implant. While calf augmentation surgery can involvhe significant recovery, having the surgery in just one leg makes it easier.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana