Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Process

TREATMENT PROCESS

This is Dr.Pelto's detailed video desrciption of the current treatment process for patients with Achilles tendonitis.

• 1st Visit - Evaluate your condition, review x-rays, and perform a walking evaluation to determine the cause of your condition. Start working to reduce inflammation, reduce tightness and reduce stress through your Achilles tendon.
• 2nd Visit - Will evaluate the initial treatments and if indicated perform an ultrasound examination to evaluate the thickness of the Achilles tendon to help guide further treatments.
• Shockwave and Amnio Injection - Most of Dr.Pelto's patients benefit from a series of 3-6 sessions of shockwave therapy to improve blood flow and recovery of the Achilles tendon. After these sessions then patients go through a course of 6 weeks of physical therapy. At times to help speed up the healing an Amniotic injection is beneficial.
• Orthotics - Orthotics are useful to stabilize the heel position, help with posture and reduce excess movement of the foot that can increase stress in the area of the Achilles tendon.
• Physical Therapy - After these sessions of shockwave then patients go through a course of 6 weeks of physical therapy.
• Daily Rituals: These are the daily rituals that can be used with other office-based treatments. Towel stretch before getting out of bed (30-second stretch 3 times), foam rolling (10 minutes 2x a day), icing or contrast baths (10 minutes 2x a day), anti-inflammatory for 2 weeks at a therapeutic dose (if not doing shockwave), stable shoes and orthotics, Oofos sandals in the house, and avoid going barefoot. Wear shoes that have a slight heel and avoid incline walking and activities that aggravate your Achilles tendon.
• Cortisone Injection - Rarely is this indicated in the Achilles tendon due to concern of weakening of the tendon.
• Brace - At times Dr.Pelto recommends an off-loading brace to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia and move the pressure to the lower leg region.

COMMON QUESTIONS

• What if my night splint is painful or causes numbness? Start with taking out a wedge in the device or reduce the tension of the device. If is not getting better please call or send me a message so Dr.Pelto can help.

RESOURCES

• Shockwave (EPAT) - Information about shockwave therapy.
• Orthotics -  Explanation of how and why orthotics help foot pain.
• Icing and Contrast Bath Instructions - Here is information on how to ice your foot.
• Oofos - Recovery sandals to wear at home for more support.
• Shoe Recommendations - Here is Dr.Pelto's shoe recommendation.
• Foam Rolling Exercises - Instructional video for foam rolling.
• Eccentric Exercises - Exercises to help with strengthening your foot.
• Aerospring Brace - This is a carbon fiber brace that can offload the plantar fascia.

PRODUCTS

Here are some of the best recommendations Dr.Pelto has found on Amazon to start treatment before you come into the office.