Achilles Tendon Specialist

The Achilles Tendon is the longest and most powerful tendon in the body but can become inflamed and painful, resulting in Achilles Tendinitis. Prolonged Achilles tendinitis without treatment and diagnosis by podiatrists can result in tearing and weakening of the tendon. Typically, Our podiatrists treat Achilles tendinitis through conservative measures such as stretching, custom orthotics, physical therapy, and X-rays which can be implemented during an office visit.

In some instances, further imaging such as an MRI may be necessary to rule out tearing or fibrosis of the Achilles Tendon. If torn, the Achilles tendon may require surgical repair to ensure the best quality of life for the patient. An evaluation by a doctor is always necessary for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Achilles Tendinitis is a type caused repetitive stress injury such as running. As the most reputable and trusted foot doctor in NYC, Our Podiatrists differentiate between two groups of Achilles tendon causes:

• Extrinsic factors: age, sex, foot cavity, metabolic dysfunction, muscle weakness, dysmetria, lateral instability of the ankle, and anatomical variation of the plantaris muscle.
• Intrinsic factors: mechanical overload, inappropriate equipment, constant effort, improper footwear, lack of stretching or warning, and direct trauma.

Early treatment and diagnosis are vital for fast and effective treatment of the condition. Visit your foot doctor as soon as you experience any discomfort to prevent further damage.

Some of the most common symptoms that are worth paying attention to are:

• Tenderness
• Cramping in tendon
• The tendons just behind your heel become extremely sensitive to the touch
• A small hard lump (or bone spur) on the back of your heel
• Morning stiffness and discomfort
• Pain in the back of the heel
• Pain that gets worse as you move around

All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your Manhattan-based foot doctor or New York City podiatry office for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any serious underlying condition.

There are two main types of  Achilles Tendinitis. The location and pathology of the injury will determine what treatment plan your Manhattan-based podiatrists use.

• Insertional Achilles Tendinitis occurs on the back of the heel bone where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel. It may be accompanied by additional bone growth referred to as either a bone spur or heel pain. Frequently this damage at the tendon attachment occurs in people who aren’t active.
• Noninsertional Achilles Tendinitis occurs just above one’s heel along the length of the Achilles tendon. This is the most common form and is primarily seen in athletes and active adults. Your doctor can evaluate and diagnose the cause of this pain and treat it from its root. With this type of tendinitis, swelling and inflammation will often be observed during the early stages of this condition. Your podiatric doctor will spend time creating a patient-specific treatment plan for your tendinitis.

Our Podiatrists are world-class Achilles tendon specialists, uses the following tests to diagnose this ailment:

• Ultrasound. This test assists in assessing the degree of injury to the tend. It is also used to estimate the risk of rupture and tendinopathy.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It allows for more in-depth information about the condition of joint structures with a study in multiple planes. MRI is normally used to determine the extent of the damage. Your foot doctor doesn’t need an MRI to diagnose your pain. He needs it if he deems you a candidate for Achilles tendon surgery.
• Computed Tomography (CT). This scan is useful for excluding trabecular structural changes of the calcaneus in Achilles pathology of insertion.
• Lateral and axial calcaneus x-rays. It might spot calcifications in the proximal extension of the tendon insertion and rule out pathological bone tumors.

Your podiatrist will typically start with a conservative treatment plan. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful or a tendon tear is present, surgery may be necessary to repair the tendon. Your foot doctor will help guide you in the right direction based on your symptoms and lifestyle.

Conservative therapy is the first line of management that entails:

• I.C.E., or rest, ice, compression, and elevation
• Various stretching exercises as determined by a podiatric or sports specialist or physical therapist
• Strengthening exercises
• Special shoe inserts or orthotic footwear
• Noninvasive shockwave therapy
• Walking boot

Surgery to repair the Achilles Tendon might be recommended by your podiatrist if conservative measures were to no avail. Our Podiatrists use X-rays and sometimes MRIs to evaluate Achilles Tendonitis. Visit our podiatry clinic and meet a New York-based podiatrists and foot surgeons. They are one of the best podiatrists in NYC and among the top foot specialists in New York.