I have pttd w/ a longitudinal tear on my tendon. i've tried the brace and now orthodics. nothing helps and now surgery is suggested. should i?

Yes: Minor cases might improve with conservative treatments, like the one you have tried, but in severe cases or those who fail such treatments then surgery is a definite option for them. Great results can be achieved when the tear is repaired and any other lesion can also be treated at the same time, if present.

See below: If all conservative care has not helped then surgery would be the final option. It is a very successful procedure.

Surgical repair: If conservative care hasn't helped, then get a consultation of surgery. While the incision is relatively long, the tendon is pretty much right under the skin, so the level of discomfort post-op isn't that bad. Good luck.

CONSERVATIVE FAILED: If non-surgical options have failed, surgery should be considered. My one piece of advice, to talk with your surgeon about, is this all you need?-an isolated tendon repair. At 50 y/o, maybe you need an osteotomy of the heel bone; maybe a tendon transfer. There are many surgical treatment options. I have not examined you, so I don't know what's best for you. Good luck. Dr. Latva