Achilles Tendonitis is a condition that affects the Achilles tendon, the largest and strongest tendon in your body. One can actually feel the tendon using their hands. It feels like a springy tissue band at the back of the ankle and above the heel. This tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel during running, jumping, or walking. It also helps you extend the foot and point toes to the floor. The tendon easily gets injured becoming painful and swollen, a process referred to as tendinitis. If the injury is severe, the tendon may tear partially or even completely rupture. This type of injury is common among athletes.
Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis
Pain along the tendon or back of the heel (worsens with activity)
Thickening of the tendon
Swelling that worsens with activity
Pain and stiffness along the tendon, especially in the morning
Severe pain after exercise
Achilles Tendonitis stages
Achilles tendonitis develops in stages
- Peritenonitis, characterized by localized pain during or even after an activity
- Tendinosis, an asymptomatic stage which may result in a nodule at the back of the leg
- Peritenonitis with tendinosis, where the tendon may rupture- it is characterized by pain and swelling during or after an activity
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment
The condition is best treated in the early stages. One of the most effective treatments for this condition is the shock wave treatment for Achilles Tendonitis. It is a non-surgical method which delivers high pressure shock waves. The waves travel via the skin and the soft tissue that was inflamed heals without harm to surrounding tissue. Bone calcifications also heal stronger. The shock wave treatment does not send electricity into the body. It instead releases high energy pulsations of ultrasonic waves. The waves then stimulate the body’s natural process of healing.
Candidates
A Thornhill doctor usually determines suitable candidates for the treatment. It is usually opted for if other treatments fail to relieve pain as expected. The shock wave treatment is not usually recommended for pregnant women, people taking medication which inhibits clotting of blood and children.
Treatment procedure
The treatment does not involve anesthesia, medication, surgery or injections. The procedure involves:
- an evaluation of medical history
- a manual examination of the affected area
- location and marking of the trigger point
- application of ultrasonic transmission gel to your foot
- positioning of the device’s handpiece
- transmission of shock waves
The patient is required to give feedback so as to determine the fine positioning of the applicator and impulse frequency measurement. After a comfortable low level is determined, the energy will be gradually increased for a few minutes. Every treatment session takes 15 minutes. One requires one session every week for about 3 weeks.
Results
There will be significant pain relief after the first session, but healing will continue for about 3 months after the last session. The success rates for the shock wave treatment is 70 to 80%
Side effects
There are usually no side effects, apart from warmth, numbness and slight tingling immediately after treatment.
All in all, shock wave treatment for achilles tendonitis has proved to be the most effective for treating this condition.