I think for athletes or weekend warriors we have all had the dreaded Achilles tendon pain or tendonitis.  I can recall the first time I suffered with it and how long it took to get better.  It was a real bummer to be sidelined and put my workouts on hold for this issue.  It has been some years now since I have had any recurrence in part to my daily recovery routine.  It makes me wonder why it only took me 46 years to figure out the importance of active recovery daily!

The Achilles tendon never has an opportunity to rest when we are up and moving.  It is constantly firing for the gait cycle and is the biggest, thickest tendon in the human body with the most cross sectional load.  It is no wonder it is commonly inflamed and on average can take up to 6 months to recover from an injury.  This being said if you have pain or swelling do not wait to see a physician as the longer you wait the longer the recovery.

The best options to recovery from Achilles tendon issues are to first identify the underlying cause.  This can be training errors or foot structure issues or even overall body inflammatory processes.  Once these are identified next comes tackling the symptoms, ie swelling and pain.  These can be accomplished by many different options but one of my favorites is shockwave.  Shockwave utilizes sound waves to break up the inflammatory tissue and increase blood supply to repair the tendon.  Once this is accomplished stretching and strengthening are just as important.  Long term a program to maintain this tendon is essential.  If you are suffering with Achilles tendon pain I can help.  Please call 425-391-8666 or contact us online and we will get you on the road to recovery. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Achilles tendonitis or bone spurs in the Achilles tendon are common pathologies we see as foot and ankle surgeons. These two conditions are often started with over training or long-standing tight calf muscles. Both can lead to rupturing or a painful Achilles tendon with any sort of activity. It can be quite challenging to rest this area or rehab this tendon as it never really is inactive when ambulating.

Many patients will end up requiring surgical repair of their Achilles and new modern approaches can minimize down time. Previously all patients had required at least 6 weeks of non-weight bearing. However new techniques have improved outcomes and eliminated the need for non-weight bearings.

Achilles tendonitis usually presents around the mid substance of the Achilles. It is usually a painful bump that can swell with exercise. In the past patients requiring repair required a standard incisional approach with a long recovery. However, I have been utilizing the Tenex procedure which has almost no downtime and can be preformed without anesthesia if patients prefer. The Tenex stimulates new growth and repair of old tendon pathology. After the procedure patients can walk and return to activities shortly.

Bones spurs in the Achilles tendon have previously requires an extensive surgery to remove the bone and repair the tendon. I have been using Tenex on these cases as well and patients can walk immediately after the procedure and require no re-attaching of the Achilles tendon. If you are looking for a quick recovery, minimal down time or minimally invasive Achilles tendon surgery I can help. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body. It has more pounds per square inch applied to it than any other tendon. We consider it the work horse of the lower extremity. It is constantly in use and provides forward motion in the gait cycle. These reasons make it one of the most commonly injured or strained tendons.

Achilles tendonitis usually presents with pain and selling around the back of the ankle. Patients have usually increased activities or changed activities or even started to walk more. There is often pain when getting out of bed, that gets better as the day goes on, but returns with rest. Sometimes patients will describe weakness or a catching sensation.

Diagnosing Achilles Tendon injuries is relatively straight forward. A typical mechanical and musculoskeletal exam of the foot and ankle are performed. An ultrasound or x-ray can be helpful as well. More advanced cases can require an MRI to rule our tearing or degeneration.

Treatment is provided on a case-by-case basis. It is important to identify the cause and help eliminate or reduce this activity. Stretching is vital and reducing the mechanical burden. I always encourage people with Achilles issues to see a foot and ankle physician before implementing treatment as these measures are not always appropriate. If you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online so we can get you back on the road to recovery.