Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Process

TREATMENT PROCESS

This is a a typical 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 - 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 the 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 physicians recommend 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 inform your physician so they 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 - Physician'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.