It can be... also depends on severity... I partially tore both playing volley ball in my 20s felt like something kicked my ankles... did lots of toe lifts and healed on their own... but low blood flow area so needs lots of consistent stretching easy non impact stimulation... also calcium build up can be an issue... hence important to stretch... Surgery sounds like it might have been on the bone but not sure... mine were not and only 10% tears.. did have knots in them for a long time... Skating actually good for healing process once stabilized