You’re starting to feel pain in your lower leg that runs down to your heel. Is it Achilles tendonitis again? You’ve tried conservative treatment before, which seems to work for a while, but is it becoming a chronic condition?
Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Jonathan Shults, with Coastal Empire Orthopedics, treats all types of sports injuries, including Achilles tendinopathy. Our orthopedic practice now includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a recommended treatment for certain orthopedic injuries, including Achilles tendonitis, in conjunction with other standard treatments.
The Achilles tendon connects your calf to your heel bone. The tendon normally glides smoothly to facilitate walking, running, jumping, dancing — any movements you make with your legs.
Achilles tendonitis is a common overuse injury in runners and other athletes. If you start to feel pain running down the lower part of your leg toward your heel, it’s time to give your leg a rest and adjust your exercise routine.
Your tendon works extra hard when you pound the pavement for miles every day or play soccer several times a week. It becomes susceptible to small micro tears. At first, you might feel twinges of pain. As the condition worsens, you feel intense pain when you exercise, and your leg becomes swollen. If left untreated, your Achilles tendon can eventually rupture, a condition that requires surgery.
Dr. Shults asks you questions about your exercise regimen. Lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to this injury.
You’re likely overworking your Achilles tendon. Dr. Shults recommends adjusting your routine to include rest periods between vigorous exercise. Worn-out shoes are a common culprit that contributes to Achilles tendinopathy, so be sure to replace your running or sports footwear at the appropriate intervals. You may need custom orthotics if you have faulty foot biomechanics.
Are you carrying extra pounds? Excess weight places heavy pressure on your legs, contributing to those micro tears in your Achilles tendon. Are you warming up before you exercise? Tight calf muscles cause tears.
Resting the Achilles tendon is critical in healing it. You’ll use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) at home. Physical therapy includes exercises to strengthen your calf muscles, which helps to prevent future attacks.
If you’ve used conservative methods and Achilles tendonitis still flares up, Dr. Shults may recommend trying platelet-rich plasma injections along with other conservative treatments. It may benefit you if your condition becomes chronic.
Studies on PRP for Achilles tendinopathy are mixed, but enough patients have experienced improvement for doctors to recommend it for certain conditions. PRP doesn’t work for everyone. However, if other conservative treatments haven’t worked, it may help you.
PRP is a safe, minimally invasive treatment. Blood platelets have natural healing factors. PRP uses a massive number of platelets in your own blood to inject healing growth factors at the site of your injury. After drawing a sample of your blood, our team uses a centrifuge to separate your platelets from other blood matter. Using ultrasound guidance, Dr. Shults injects the mass of platelets into the damaged tendon.
If PRP works for you, your pain diminishes, your strength improves, and you regain lost mobility.
Call or message our office in Savannah, George today and book an appointment if you’re suffering from Achilles tendinopathy.
