The Achilles tendon connects the lower calf muscle to the heel, allowing the muscle to control such activities as walking, running, and jumping. The most common injury to this tendon is chronic Achilles tendinosis, which results from overuse. The largest demographic to suffer from this type of injury are physically active adults over the age of 50.
Contrary to previous medical dogma, tendons rarely become injured due to inflammation (tendinitis). Today, most tendon injuries are believed to involve a degenerative process resulting from overuse (tendinosis). The part of the tendon most susceptible to this type of injury is the region adjacent to the bone (osteotendinous junction). The osteotendinous junction tends to have very few blood vessels, which may limit how fast normal wear and tear injuries can be repaired. If small injuries accumulate faster than they can be repaired, a painful, degenerative condition called tendinosis or tendinopathy may develop. This theory is supported by microscopic examination of tendon biopsies, which reveal that the normally highly organized collagen fibers that make up the core of tendons are in disarray and the injury has been invaded by new blood vessels.
Symptoms of chronic Achilles tendinosis include the presence of bumps or nodules, and the onset of tendon pain when bearing weight. These symptoms are typically preceded by a history of increased activity. Treatment approaches can vary to some extent between orthopedic specialists, but a decrease in load-bearing activity, along with stretching, ice packs, eccentric exercises, and an over-the-counter pain reliever, is typically recommended. Surgery is only performed when more conservative treatments have failed.
Unfortunately, only about 80 percent of patients can expect to achieve a full recovery and this can take anywhere from about 3 to 18 months. To maximize a patient’s potential for a full and fast recovery the orthopedic specialists at The Institute of Regenerative & Molecular Orthopeadics can develop a personalized treatment plan that may include stem cell therapy. When combined with conservative treatments, stem cell therapy provides a rich source of cells and cellular products that can aid in the healing process. Anyone who believes they may be suffering from chronic Achilles tendinosis, or who has failed to improve using conservative treatments, should contact the orthopedic specialists at The Institute of Regenerative & Molecular Orthorpeadics for a complete evaluation before resorting to surgery.