If you’re experiencing Achilles tendon pain, you know how frustrating and distracting it can be. There are a couple of likely causes: you might have tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue), or you might have a tear (rupture) in your Achilles tendon. You don’t have to just learn to live with Achilles tendonitis or rupture pain. If you’re ready to seek help, Best Foot Doctor NY’s state of the art treatment options and Achilles tendon repair in Brooklyn can get you back to pain-free living. Let’s take a look at how Achilles tendon pain is diagnosed, and how Best Foot Doctor NY might treat your condition.
A Brooklyn Podiatrist Explains Possible Causes of Achilles Tendon Pain
Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel, and you use it when you push your foot down towards the ground. If you overuse this tendon, it can become irritated and start to hurt. The spot where your Achilles tendon connects to your calf muscle is the most common area to experience pain. Over time, your tendon can become inflamed and eventually tear.
The differential diagnosis for Achilles tendonitis may include : 1. Haglund’s deformity , a prominent beaking of the posterior/ superior area of the calcaneal / heel bone 2. Retrocalcaneal bone spur / with calcification of the Achilles’ tendon on the insertion to the heel bone . Both can cause a tear and a pain of the Achilles’ tendon and are diagnosed by x rays.
Can you prevent Achilles tendon pain in the first place? There are no guarantees, but you can reduce your risk by sticking to exercises that are appropriate for your fitness level. Proper stretching before working out is also helpful. Some people have a foot shape that’s simply more prone to developing Achilles tendonitis.
Read more in our blog: The Best Ways to Treat and Prevent Achilles Tendonitis
How Achilles Tendon Pain Is Diagnosed
Before your pain can be treated, you’ll need a Brooklyn specialist to diagnose the underlying issue and determine whether an Achilles tendon repair is needed.
If your tendon has torn or ruptured, there may be some unmistakable signs. You might be aware of:
- A pop or snap heard when the injury happened
- A break in your Achilles tendon that can be felt through the skin
Also, signs like pain near the heel, tenderness, swelling, and bruising near the ankle, along with trouble walking or pushing down your foot, are clear indicators that something is wrong.
Diagnostic Procedures | Brooklyn’s Best Foot Doctor
Your doctor may use several procedures to narrow down your diagnosis. At Best Foot Doctor NY, we employ the following measures:
- Careful examination of your medical history
- A thorough physical exam
- An X-ray of your heel, which can show us whether the point where your tendon meets your heel is calcified. Calcification occurs when calcium deposits form in your tendon, causing pain.
- An MRI, which can tell us whether your tendon is torn or inflamed, and how badly
We understand that every patient is unique, and we take the time to fully understand your situation and answer any questions you might have.
How Achilles Tendon Pain Is Treated
Achilles tendonitis treatment might start with healing measures. Supportive shoes, physical therapy, and other non-invasive treatments could be the place to start, if your pain is mild and possibly reversible.
But this type of pain often requires surgery to be resolved. Brooklyn’s Dr. Emmanuel Fuzaylov performs over 400 successful surgeries per year. He has seen just how transformative these surgical procedures can be for patients who suffer with unresolved tendon pain.
Types of Surgery
There are two main types of Achilles tendon repair surgery: open repair and percutaneous repair. Let’s look at some key differences between them.
Open Repair Surgery
During open repair surgery, your doctor will make a vertical cut on the back of your leg. The Haglund’s deformity or the retrocacaneal bone spur from the back of the heel will be removed and two ends of your broken tendon sutured together, then close the incision.
Percutaneous Repair Surgery
This technique involves making one or more smaller incisions on the leg, then passing needles with sutures attached through the skin and tendon and out of the incisions.
Recovering From Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery
After your repair, you can expect some swelling and tenderness in your leg and foot. Ice can help with your discomfort. It may take between 6 and 12 weeks before you can wear normal shoes, but eventually, your former mobility will be restored. It takes a little patience to successfully recover from your surgery, but it’s vital to follow your doctor’s advice about movement, exercise and putting weight on your foot. In most cases, if your tendon was torn or ruptured, surgery offers you the best chance of being able to return to your former activities after your injury.
Ready For Achilles Tendon Repair? Find Treatment in Brooklyn and NYC
Tired of tenderness, stiffness, and trouble with daily activities? Call Dr. Emmanuel Fuzaylov of Best Foot Doctor NY at (718) 291 9020, or book an appointment online at one of our six locations. We’ll determine the best course of action and use state-of-the-art technology to treat your pain.