My girlfriend has shortened Achilles tendons from high heels. What now?!

My girlfriend has shortened Achilles tendons from high heels. What now?

I have always noticed that my girlfriend tiptoes when she is barefoot and has cramps when she tries to keep her feet flat. She is 20 now and has been wearing only high-heeled sandals since she was 15.

So, I took her to a podiatrist recently and he confirmed that her Achilles tendons are shortened. He recommended surgery.

So here are the options:
1. Surgery to re-lengthen her tendons. (Doctor's preference)
2. Other therapeutic methods? Would massage or gradual stretching work? How about acupuncture? This is MY preference, as I want my girlfriend to be able to walk normally but don't like the sound of surgery.
3. Or keep things as they are. This is HER preference - she argues that she feels "good" in high heels and "comfortable" tiptoeing barefoot, and she doesn't want to wear flat shoes... ever.

What is your suggestion?

2 weeks ago
Okay, I'm beginning to lean towards the "keep things the way they are" choice. It's her decision, and if she says it doesn't hurt her, then so be it.

I have the same problem. Since I was probably around 13, i've always had a tendancy to walk on my toes and felt very uncomfortable in flat shoes. Doctors have said that for whatever reason my tendons in the back of the legs didn't grow like it should have and it is short.

They've tried several different methods to get the tendon to stretch and nothing really seems to do much good. Im refusing to do surgery. From what doctors have described in my situation, it is very complicated surgery and I feel that it would just screw my legs up more than they already are.
I wear high heels practically all the time and am very comfortable. They feel natural to me.

It is her decision. She can try other methods and see if they work for her, but I dont reccomend the surgery.