Assefa was operated on in the early hours of Monday, 28 September, at BG Unfallklinik Murnau, near Munich, after being taken to Germany for specialist treatment following Sunday's race.
Her Italian manager, Gianni Demadonna, confirmed to Pura Vida Sports Africa that specialist Dr Johannes Gabel successfully completed the procedure.
“The surgery went well and we will see when she can leave the hospital… I think she will be here (hospital) for three more days,” Demadonna said.
The manager added that Assefa was very tired and sleeping after the operation.
Assefa faces lengthy rehabilitation
The 29-year-old is expected to remain in hospital for approximately three more days as she begins her recovery.
Demadonna had previously indicated that Assefa could require around six months of rehabilitation before returning to competition. If her recovery progresses as hoped, a return around the 2027 World Championships in Beijing could be possible, although the timing will depend on her rehabilitation and medical progress.
Injury ended world-record challenge in Berlin
Assefa had been mounting a serious challenge to the women's marathon world record of 2:09:56, set by Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich, during Sunday's Berlin Marathon.
According to World Athletics, she remained on record pace around the 40km mark before suffering a physical problem in the closing stages. Despite the setback, she held on to win in 2:11:04, the third-fastest women's marathon time in history at the time of the race and a new Berlin course record.
The official BMW Berlin Marathon report confirmed that Assefa was forced to continue limping towards the finish after the problem developed in her right leg.
• Tigst Assefa: 2:11:04 — first place
• Bedatu Hirpa: 2:16:53 — second place
• Dera Dida: 2:16:55 — third place
Assefa's victory was her third Berlin Marathon title, having previously won the race in 2022 and 2023. She also set a course record in each of those victories.
Successful surgery marks first step in comeback
The successful operation provides the first major milestone in Assefa's recovery after one of the most dramatic finishes of her career.
For now, the Ethiopian's focus will shift from competition to medical recovery and rehabilitation, with her eventual return to racing dependent on her progress over the coming months.