TENDONITIS TREATMENT & REPAIR SURGERY
Achilles tendinitis is a common injury that can cause pain and inflammation in the Achilles tendon. This tendon is located in the back of your ankle and connects your calf muscles to your heel bone.
What is Achilles tendinitis and what are the symptoms?
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. It attaches to the heel bone, also known as the calcaneus. The Achilles tendon is made up of 3 separate tendons that come together to form one bigger tendon. It is made up of the gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, and sometimes a smaller tendon that is not always present called the plantaris tendon.
Symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include pain, swelling, and inflammation around the tendon and adjacent structures. Pain can be worsened by increased activity and in severe cases may even make activities of daily living like walking difficult.
Causes of Achilles tendinitis
There are many causes of Achilles tendinitis. Usually, it is caused by overuse like with a new athletic sport or training for a marathon.
Risk factors for Achilles tendinitis would be a tighter Achilles tendon and calf muscles. There is also a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones which have a black box warning for tendinitis including the Achilles tendon.
How to treat Achilles tendinitis – conservative treatment methods
Conservative treatments for Achilles tendinitis include activity modification, heel lift, anti-inflammatories, icing, physical therapy, and bracing.
More advanced options for Achilles tendinitis would include extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT).
How to treat Achilles tendinitis – surgical treatment methods
There are a variety of surgical options to address Achilles tendinitis but in most cases, this can be avoided with good conservative care and aggressive rehabilitation protocol. In severe cases, sometimes the tendon needs to be cleaned up surgically, or the calf muscle can be lengthened, and sometimes a tendon transfer has to be performed.
Meet the Doctor
Lonny Nodelman
DPM, FACFAS
Dr. Lonny Nodelman is originally from Ottawa, Canada and moved to the USA after completion of his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa. He attained his medical training at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he graduated in the top 4 of his class. He underwent residency training at Cambridge Health Alliance, where he was a fellow in surgery at Harvard Medical School. Along the way, he met his beautiful wife, who is originally from the Northern Virginia area and they relocated back to NOVA and call it their home.
Foot and Ankle Care that Puts You First
We advocate for regenerative therapies as a means to diminish the need for surgery, yet remain fully prepared for surgical procedures if required
Don’t Let Foot Pain Rule Your Life…
Foot and ankle problems like heel pain, achilles tendonitis and other sports injuries are common and can significantly impact a person’s life, often bringing frustration, fear, and a sense of missing out on favorite activities. Each of these conditions not only affects the physical well-being but also carries an emotional burden. You often experience a sense of loss – missing out on sports, hobbies, or simple daily tasks becomes a source of frustration and sadness. The journey to recovery is not just about healing physically but also about overcoming these emotional challenges.
Find the Perfect Solution for Your Foot or Ankle Concern
Our practice is dedicated to helping patients overcome their foot and ankle pain through personalized treatment plans that cater to each individual’s unique needs. Here’s how we approach this:
