Achilles Tendonitis

Description

Tendons are the ends of muscles that attach to bones. Tendonitis means there is inflammation (or irritation) of the tendon. It can be caused by overuse, an injury, or due to an activity your body isn't used to. The Achilles tendon is the tendon that at the back of the ankle and heel and is one of the most common tendons in the lower leg to become irritated.

Symptoms

Symptoms include pain in the back of the ankle and heel, swelling, redness, warmth, difficulty walking, stiffness.

Treatment Options

RICE, NSAIDs, physical therapy, braces, custom orthotics, PRP and stem cell injections.

Treatment Option Description (with Duration)

As soon as you notice pain, it is important to remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate.

If the pain has not gotten better after 2-3 days, it is time to visit a podiatrist. Your doctor may place heel lifts inside of your sneakers to take away the tension on your Achilles tendon. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may be prescribed a brace or other device to help rest your foot/ankle and limit excess movement. You may also need physical therapy for 4-6 weeks to help with pain and swelling and to strengthen the tendon after it has healed. For more long-term support, custom orthotics (shoe inserts) can help prevent the problem from coming back.

For athletes, Broadway dancers, and anyone who needs to get back to doing what they love right away, PRP and/or Stem Cell injections will not only help with pain, but also to expedite the recovery process.  PRP and Stem Cell Therapy can also be used as stand alone therapies to treat chronic tendinopathy.

Tenex is a minimally invasive treatment option that can be done under light sedation in-office. This revolutionary procedure uses ultrasonic waves to break up the diseased tissue, scar tissue, and calcifications in the plantar fascia that is causing pain. With a local anesthetic in the heel, a small wand is inserted into the fascia and is guided ultrasonically to get remove the injured tissues while leaving the healthy tissues intact and increasing blood supply to the region to speed healing time. No stitches are necessary.

Expected Outcome

If Achilles tendonitis is caught and managed early, then further damage to the tendon can be prevented.

Say Goodbye to Foot Pain 

If you're suffering from ankle/heel pain due to Achilles Tendonitis, or any other foot/ankle condition, our New York foot doctors can help! Serving the Downtown and Midtown Manhattan areas of NYC, we help you get back to healthy and happy living. Call us at 917-398-3668 or book an appointment online.