Achilles Tendonitis

Want to avoid Surgery?
Platelet Rich Plasma could be the solution!

Achilles Tendonitis

This tendon is large and strong. The tendon is made up of thousands of individual tendon fibers. Think of the tendon fibers as similar to the fibers that make up a rope or a steel cable.

Achilles tendonitis is inflammation and pain of the tendon that connects the muscles in the calf to the heel bone.

What causes Achilles tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is the result of microscopic tearing of some tiny individual tendon strands. This happens as result of both normal activity and strenuous activities.

In a young individual the healing capability of the Achilles tendon is very robust. Microscopic tears of the Achilles tendon in a young person generally heal quickly without treatment.

As we age our bodies natural healing ability of microscopic tearing in the Achilles tendon is limited by a natural decrease in the circulation of the area of the tendon where tendonitis is most commonly seen. This can result in tendon pain and swelling that can last months and even years. Natural healing can be slow and sometimes completely halted.

What does Achilles tendonitis feel like?

Achilles tendonitis causes localized pain somewhere along the portion of the tendon from the bottom of the calf muscle to its attachment to the back of the heel bone. Patients can usually press firmly with their finger and trigger the pain. A lot of times the tendon looks swollen when compared to the tendon of the other leg.

How is Achilles tendonitis diagnosed?

Achilles tendonitis can be diagnosed with the information provided by the patient’s history combined with the physical examination conducted by a skilled examiner such as an orthopedic surgeon. Imaging studies such as x-ray or MRI scan are sometimes beneficial but are rarely needed to accurately diagnose Achilles tendinitis.

How is Achilles tendonitis treated?

  • Activity modification
  • Home exercises
  • Physical therapy
  • Medications (taken by mouth or topical medications)
  • Platelet rich plasma therapy
  • Surgery

Platelet rich plasma treatment has the potential to accelerate a stalled natural healing response in an Achilles tendon. It can result in the stimulation of natural healing of a partial tear of the Achilles tendon that has failed to heal.

It is vitally important that platelet rich plasma treatment of an Achilles tendon be done with proper placement of the platelet rich plasma. The procedure requires that the area of treatment be numbed. Dr. Jernigan is able to do this by using his knowledge and skill of regional numbing and ultrasound guidance to properly target the platelet rich plasma. To succeed the platelet rich plasma must be correctly placed in the Achilles tendon. This is critical to success.

Treatment

Plantar Fasciitis

Want to avoid Surgery?
Platelet Rich Plasma could be the solution!

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is made up of thousands of individual ligament fibers. Think of these as similar to the fibers that make up a rope or steel cable. When we are younger, our body has the ability to quickly heal tiny, microscopic tears of a few of these fibers. This natural healing response is heavily dependent upon good circulation within the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition of the heel. A strong support of structure called the plantar fascia generates pain near its attachment point to the bottom of the heel bone.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

The pain of plantar fasciitis is caused by the bodies failed attempt to heal tearing of some of the ligament fibers of the plantar fascia. The fibers can tear as a result of everyday activities. They sometimes tear as a result of an injury.

As we age this circulation diminishes due to natural effects. As result the body loses some of its natural healing ability to repair these torn fibers. When the body is unable to heal these fibers, the result can be significant long-lasting pain on the bottom of the heel.

What does Planter fasciitis feel like?

This condition usually causes severe pain on the bottom of the heel. The pain is often made worse with direct pressure on the heel bone.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

Plantar fasciitis can be accurately diagnosed with the information provided by patient’s history combined with the physical examination conducted by a skilled examiner such as an orthopedic surgeon. Plain x-rays are often helpful. MRI scanning is rarely necessary to accurately diagnose and treat Planter fasciitis.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

  • Activity modification
  • Home exercises that emphasize stretching
  • Showing modifications
  • Medications (taken by mouth or topical medications)
  • Splinting
  • Platelet rich plasma therapy
  • Surgery

Platelet rich plasma treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis has the potential to accelerate a stalled natural healing response in the plantar fascia. It can result in the stimulation of natural healing of the painful plantar fascia that has failed to heal on its own.

The procedure requires that the area for treatment be numbed. To succeed the platelet rich plasma must be correctly placed in the plantar fascia. Dr. Jernigan is able to do this well by combining his knowledge and skill of regional numbing along with ultrasound guidance to properly target the platelet rich plasma to place it in the correct location.

Treatment