ACHILLES TENDINITIS

Achilles tendinitis is one of the most common overuse injuries in athletes and physically active people

About Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendon pain affects your gait and increases your risk of injury during running and sports. If left untreated, overuse injuries to the Achilles tendon can lead to irreversible damage that undermines performance and leads to further injury. At NYDNRehab, our treatment toolbox includes ESWT (shockwave therapy), ultrasound-guided dry needling, Kineo Intelligent Load system, eccentric loading, plyometric exercises and retraining with real-time contextual feedback. Contact us today to eliminate Achilles pain and restore full function to your foot and ankle, so you can get back to the game of life.

Is the Achilles tendon really inflamed?

Studies show that there are no inflammatory cells present in patients experiencing pain in the Achilles tendon. Therefore this condition should properly be named Achilles tendinopathy. The word tendinopathy means that there is a degeneration of the tenocytes (tendon cells) in the Achilles tendon.

Types of Achilles tendinopathy

Non-insertional: Small tears in the middle fibers of your Achilles tendon begin to break down

Insertional: Damage occurs where your Achilles tendon meets your heel bone

Achilles tendon anatomy

Also called the calcaneal tendon

Shared by the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the calf

Connects the calf muscles to the heel bone

Releases elastic energy during running and jumping

Risk Factors

Intrinsic

Reduced ankle dorsiflexion
Reduced subtalar joint range of motion
Weak plantar flexor muscles
Excessive foot pronation

Extrinsic

Antibiotic medications
Diabetes mellitus
Metabolic syndrome
Arthritis

DIAGNOSIS

In addition to reviewing your medical history and conducting a clinical exam, we use high resolution diagnostic ultrasonography to assess the injured area. Ultrasound imaging lets us view the damaged tissues in real time, with the injured area in motion. The patient becomes an essential participant in the diagnostic process, repositioning the foot and ankle as needed, and providing verbal feedback. Ultrasonography gives us real-time results, so we can begin treatment as quickly as possible.

Prognosis

According to research, young physically active people respond more quickly to treatment than middle-aged or older adults. For younger patients, treatment takes about 3 months. Rehabilitation is typically double that for older patients.

NYDNRehab Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment

Aplio i800 ultrasound

Focused, Defocused and Radial Shockwave

Dr. Kalika uses high resolution diagnostic ultrasonography and sonoelastography to accurately diagnose Achilles tendinopathy. He then uses advanced treatment methods, including extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and electromechanical transduction therapy (EMTT), to evoke a regenerative reaction at the cellular level.

EMTT

Achilles Tendinitis Treatment Options

We use innovative treatments and therapies based on scientific evidence and clinical results

NYDNRehab takes a holistic approach to treatment, combining the best treatment options based on the individual patient and the specifics of their injury.

NYDNRehab provides a treatment based on a combination of such methods as:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Eccentric loading

EMTT

BFR

Laser and Iontophoresis, ultrasound, steroid injections, plasma injections – all have very low to no scientific evidence.

Kineo

The most versatile muscle testing system using artificial intelligence

Lev Kalika Clinical Director and DC, RMSK

Dr.Kalika has revolutionized Achilles tendon care by using high resolution diagnostic ultrasonography for structural diagnosis, combined with gait and motion analysis technology. The NYDNRehab motion and gait analysis lab is the only private lab in the US to feature research-grade technologies found only in the world’s top research labs, and made available to patients in our private clinic. Dr.Kalika’s modern approach to athletic Achilles tendon injuries has put him on the radar of some of the world’s top distance runners, pro athletes and professional ballet dancers.

Our Specialists

HyunJu YOO, PT, MPT, DPT, CPI (Licensed Physical Therapist)

Dr. Christina Pekar DC

Dr. Michelle Agyakwah DC

Dr. Mikhail Bernshteyn MD (Internist)

All Staff »

Dr. Lev Kalika

Clinical director & DC RMSK

Achilles Tendonitis Doctor at NYDNRehab

At NYDNRehab, we have extensive experience treating Achilles tendinopathy in runners, athletes and non-athletes. Treatment options vary, depending on the type and stage of Achilles tendinopathy. There are multiple structures surrounding the Achilles tendon, and Achilles problems can have different pathological origins, depending on the structures involved. Because of this, treatment for Achilles tendon pain should be individualized, based on precise diagnostics. At NYDNRehab we use sonographic imaging, sonoelastography and running gait analysis to create personalized treatment plans specific to the needs of each patient. Treatment may include: manual therapy, eccentric muscle loading, ESWT (shock wave therapy), EMTT (electromagnetic transduction therapy), ultrasound guided regenerative injections, force production exercises and Kineo intelligent loading exercises. Research has shown that a combination of ESWT and eccentric loading provide the best results for treating Achilles tendinopathy.