Elite athletes and weekend warriors alike are susceptible to sports injuries of the achilles tendon, one of the largest and strongest tendons in the body. The achilles tendon connects the heel bone to your calf muscle.
Walking, running, and jumping are only possible with the use of this vital tendon for movement. Sports like running, basketball, football, dance, volleyball, tennis and soccer involve sudden movements and repetitive stress on the lower leg, making athletes vulnerable to achilles injuries.
Types of Injuries:
Achilles tendon ruptures are partial or complete tears of the tendon. These tears commonly occur in athletes. In the case of sudden stops, starts, and pivots, the tendon stretches to the breaking point. Repeated high-impact activities can also damage the tendon.
Achilles tendinitis occurs when your Achilles tendon is damaged or overused and causes inflammation and swelling. As the tendon thickens and hardens, it may become more painful and impact your daily activity
Treatment Options:
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is relatively new in treating several orthopedic conditions, such as Achilles tendon injuries. PRP injections, your blood is centrifuged to concentrate the platelets. You will then receive injections of these activated platelets directly into your injured body tissues. An injection of PRP can relieve painful symptoms and promote ligament and tendon healing.
Stem Cells are a unique treatment option that regenerates tissue and enhances healing after injury. Bone marrow is commonly aspirated from the hip bone to harvest stem cells. As well as repairing nerve damage, scar tissue, bone tissue, and more, stem cells suppress inflammation and reduce pain.
Minimally Invasive Surgery can repair the tendon and is often recommended for elite athletes, or those who re-rupture their tendon. Minimally invasive surgery can reattach the tendon to the heel bone.
Treatment options are determined based on your unique injury. Getting the correct diagnosis is essential, so you can get the proper treatment.
The New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute (NJOI) uses the most advanced technologies and techniques when diagnosing and treating orthopedic foot and ankle injuries. Our surgeons use the latest advancements in sports medicine, including biologics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, to help you make a comeback and return to play
AUTHOR: Dr. Robert Palacios is board-certified, fellowship-trained, and specializes in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine. Dr. Palacios has been a team physician for Montclair State University since 1992 and a team physician for Seton Hall University since 2002. He is also the team physician for many high schools in the tri-county area. Dr. Palacios's accomplishments include receiving the Medical Teacher of the Year award from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
