Ok, ST as last resort…have been thru all conservative treatments, rememdies: stretching, rolling, inserts, orthotics, rest, immobile in boot, etc. etc. 2 medical opinions, only alternative Dr. has is surgery, sever AT, shave off spurs, hope AT reattachs, with 6-12 down time. Looking for any other options besides that; anybody had experience with Protein Rich Plasma injections or Ossatron ShockWave treatment or anything else ??
Thanks,
I had severe hypoxic tendinosis. Thanks to an initial long run with some microtearing that I never allowed to heal properly. A few years later training for an IM with bad running form and a visible bulb of scar tissue showed up. It got progressively worse, but always losened up a few minutes into a run. A few months after the race, the scar tissue started to harden up, so no more running and it hurt to walk.
All the non-invasive PT treatments failed, although Graston temporarily felt great for few minutes right after the sessions ended.
PRP did zero for me other than HURT a real lot. Big needle, big platelets. Threw up about 5 minutes afterwards from the trauma (HTFU, I’ve heard it before). Not too expensive, maybe $500 cash out of pocket for the procedure. Health insurance covered the blood draws.
ESWT worked and repaired about 70% of the injury. Outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Paid 100% cash out of pocket because it’s experimental and not a covered procedure. Paid $3k cash. Totally worth it. It was really nice not being in pain just from walking. I think the Ossatron branded device is manufactured in the US, which is administered as a single treatment. The French machine requires 3 dosesx1 per week, to get the same effect. My podiatrist did not own the machine, so it became logistically too difficult to line up a second treatment. I could still use another round to clear all of the scar tissue.
I changed my diet and went mostly gluten-free and low carb. The lesser discomforts went away, which for me gets to about 95% injury repaired. Achilles tendinosis is not inflammation, but there was something going on involving diet and the affect on healing.
I’m still doing eccentric drops, but now just beginning to look a running again. But with a lot of focus on technique and form. I can run on the treadmill for a mile and have zero achilles issues.
acupuncture worked incredibly well for me, once the right muscle group was targeted.
I think everyone agrees to try everything except surgery before you jump in, even the surgeons will likely say that! If your MRI shows that you have a fairly healthy tendon, then putting off surgery makes sense. A swollen tendon is one thing, a shredded, damaged, degenerated tendon is something else… My wife has high arched ballerina feet, grew up a swimmer… She eventually formed achillees spurs on both sides, and they hurt most when they cracked from running volume, then they seemed to calm down after 6-8 weeks with reducing running volume. She never had surgery. We were told ECSW could help “dissolve” or break up the loose bone spur fragments, but a follow up xray showed the bone spur fragments are unchanged… Beware of gimmicks… everyone is making a buck off your injury, and you are the one who has to live with it… My advise is-- there is no “right” answer, just what you decide to do, and what you can live with… If reducing running volume is something you can live with, then maybe that is the solution to the “flare ups”?? Good luck amigo
After two years of chronic achilles tendonitis to the point where going down stairs was an issue it was suggested I try dry needling. I was very sceptical and thought it might be tantamount to voodoo. After just three sessions…no pain…the inflammation I had for over two years…gone. 18 months later…no reoccurrence. I am reluctant to ever come on to a forum and give suggestions for medical treatment for injuries. You might want to look into the procedure and consult with a medical professional.
by “dry needling” do you mean acupuncture ? …i have an appointment tomorrow…
Best advice right there. go gluten free and it will heal.
GF? It was the low carbs that healed it, duh
Just on my second PRP injection next Monday (am in Aus) - first one last week. Didnt feel a thing. Local anesthetic wore off after 6 hours and honestly had no pain whatsoever. Ultrasound guided so have seen the pictures and a needle definitively went in. Find dry needling works well on me - not for some. Will give you an update in a few weeks. costs me $AUS200 per go here.
by “dry needling” do you mean acupuncture ? …i have an appointment tomorrow…
Two different procedures. Dry needling is done directly into the trigger points whereas acupuncture follows the “meridians.” I have never done acupuncture, but I’m a big fan of dry needling.
Book an appointment and fly to Umea (Sweden) or London (UK) and have Hakan Alfredson have a look at it. He’s the world expert. He’ll do the surgery himself if needed.
Sorry, I do not check ST every day. TimeIsUp below answered in my place.
Anyone have experience with low-level laser therapy (referred to as LLLT or Cold Laser Therapy) for Achilles tendonosis? Just passed my 2 year anniversary of the isolated micro midpoint tendon tear spot (MRI does not show tear) and have tried almost all non-invasive techniques. I know its just scar tissue that needs to “remodel” itself over time but giving up another year to this is going to hurt.
I am not surprised to hear the anecdotes on this thread, because (an engineer’s viewpoint) we have construction and materials for which “typical” rehab methods don’t work. The Achilles is just built differently in a real challenging area. Here are my findings:
So the above is a model - let’s see what will work on that:
Best advice right there. go gluten free and it will heal.
Agreed - GF tends to improve blood flow through flow sensitive areas of the body (my experience)
Also this rubber band compression technique has been awesome in just reducing scarring across my entire damaged ankle. The key is to work the foot and ankle under compression. The results are amazing for me really. The technique covers off #1 and #2 above because the area becomes infused with new blood after removal. This has reduced the size of the “burr” I have on my tendon.
<>http://www.mobilitywod.com/2011/12/episode-352-dealing-with-old-junky-tissue/
<>http://www.roguefitness.com/voodoo-floss-bands?wmode=transparent
last thing I was say is heat and support. We made an ankle “koozie” that actually works under the same mechanism as the rubber compression but at like 1/10 the intensity. So heat and circulation is maintained or promoted for healing and support for injury preventing. I use the Koozie for biking, running anything where the Achilles will undergo loading. I also use it sitting because it prevents inflammation and increases flow through the high ankle.
I have an injured ankle that has led to Achilles issues. There are flaws in my ankle movement. However the rubber wrapping has restored function & range but I still have more work to do. Hope this helps
Great info… With the rubber band compression, what location would I be “wrapping”? My “burr” is midpoint outside on the achilles. Also would just a regular tension band work or would you recommend this rouge fitness band only?
Thanks for the help.
imo Achilles issues generate from ankle joint mis-tracking/alignment or weakness or irritation. There is a lot that can send an ankle off “axis”
At the back of the ankle joint there is a clump of tissue that seems to move into the space of the Achilles, causing inflammation of the layers that allow the tendon to glide.
Wrap the foot and ankle to high ankle. Then perform ankle rotating and up/down flexing. This will not only compress the heck out of the area, it also actually works the muscle groups. My leg was just knackered after about 3 or 4 minutes (at first go).
Then remove the wrap and watch the blood rush in.
The inflammation I believe reduces the blood flow. So by wrapping and releasing this is much like an injector purge on a car.
ps: Heel lifts shorten the foot lever, reducing that initial force on the Achilles. So a runner with decent lift (or drop), and good running posture to keep the foot under and back. Also I have been running with high cadence.