Achilles Tendons in New Hyde Park, NY
Achilles Tendon: Treatment Options and More
The Achilles tendon is a crucial component of your leg and is vital for mobility. While the Achilles tendon is named after Achilles and his own unique weaknesses to issues with the tendon, anyone can suffer from Achilles tendon problems. The good news for folks who live in or near New Hyde Park, NY, is that they can receive help for Achilles tendon issues by visiting Dr. Thomas Barbaro and Dr. Samantha Trepal. Various treatments, including platelet rich plasma injections (PRP), can help. We’ll take a brief look, but reach out if you have any questions.
Achilles Tendon Issues Explained
The Achilles tendon connects your foot and leg and is crucial for mobility. Unfortunately, it’s possible to strain and tear the tendon. This tendon is the largest tendon in your body and makes it possible for you to move and control your foot. If the tendon is damaged, you may lose the ability to move your foot properly.
Unfortunately, strain and tears are common. In severe cases, surgery may be the only option for a full recovery. If the damage isn’t severe and the tendon is still intact, it’s possible that other treatments could be used, rendering surgery unnecessary.
Treating tendon issues can be very difficult. Surgery has long been the go-to treatment in many cases, but evolving treatment methods mean that there are now more options than ever before. We’ll cover some of the treatment options below, but if you have any questions, get in touch with Dr. Barbaro or Dr. Trepal.
Achilles Tendon Issue Treatments
Rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain medication can provide temporary relief. However, these measures likely won’t contribute much to the actual healing of your tendon. Instead, they’ll help you ignore the pain.
Perhaps the most effective non-surgical treatment is Platelet Rich Plasma injections. With this treatment, plasma is injected into the foot and leg near the tendon. The PRP injection will contain healing and rejuvenating factors, which encourage the natural healing process. PRP injections can also provide quick but lasting relief for pain.
Other effective treatments include wearing shoes that provide more support, using anti-inflammatory medications, taking breaks from physically strenuous activities, and wearing compression wraps. These treatment methods are especially effective if implemented early on after you suffer an injury.
Of course, in some cases, surgery may be unavoidable. While surgery is rather invasive and could force you off your feet for a period of time, it can also provide lasting relief and may repair tissues.