How do you treat tendonitis in the achilles heel?

Cast: Hi: you would need to be examined to determine the treatment options. However, cast immobilization is the optimal treatment for resolving achilles' tendonitis. Best regards: dr. Mark reed placentia-linda foot & ankle group drs. Mark and melanie reed 1275 rose drive, suite 136 placentia, ca 92870 fax: (714) 528-0739 office: (714) 528-2252 www.Footpain.Org drmreed@footpain.Org.

RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation.

Achilles tendonitis: Is a condition that takes a great deal of time to resolve completely. Heel lifts to take some tension off of the tendon, stretching exercises, oral antiinflammatory medications. There are lasers designed for pain management and other therapy devices/modalities can be of help too.

Treatments: Common treatments for achilles tendonitis are gastroc/soleus stretches, heel lifts, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, and eccentric strengthening. I have been dealing with this condition myself for over five years, which was refractory to all the above. Newer treatments including ultrasounded guided tenotomy & prp really helped me. People are also now using stem cell treatments as well.

Stretch!: Make sure you do your warm-up and cool down stretches consistently. Check your shoes and make sure they are not wore out. Adding an arch support or heel pad may be beneficial. Temporarily hold back on your exercise intensity or duration. If these things do not work, see a podiatrist or orthopedist. Oral antiinflammatories may be prescrbed, and measures such as physical therapy may be needed.

High Volume Inj: Patients who have undergone appropriate conservative treatment can be helped with an ultrasound guided high volume (40-50 cc) injection of saline and some lidocaine around the achilles tendon (paratenon). This disrupts small nerve endings that accompany small vessels that can be seen in the inflamed area on ultrasound. Pain relief can last months and improve physiotherapy goals.