Achilles Tendonitis Treatments - The Good, the Bad, and the Useless

Published 2023-06-18

There's no one-size-fits-all treatment for Achilles tendonitis/tendinopathy. However, there is a treatment approach that works best for most people, and this is backed up by research. In this video, Treat My Achilles co-founder Maryke Louw explains this approach. She also cautions against other treatments that are useless or may harm your Achilles tendon even further.

👉 The video mentions heel lift shoe inserts to help your Achilles pain to calm down. Here are some examples on Amazon:
- Makryn adjustable: geni.us/lA7G
- XINIFOOT: geni.us/QiGjBE
- Ailaka gel: geni.us/pZUEZ

🌟Need more help with your injury? You’re welcome to consult one of the team at TMA online via video call for an assessment of your Achilles injury and a tailored treatment plan: www.treatmyachilles.com/

📽️Other videos mentioned in this video:
▶️ Why Relative Rest is Important for Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment:    • Why Relative Rest is Important for Ac...
▶️ Exercises For Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy - What, When, How Often?    • Exercises For Achilles Tendonitis/Ten...
▶️ Persistent/Chronic Achilles Pain? How Understanding Pain Can Help:    • Persistent/Chronic Achilles Pain? How...
▶️ Achilles Tendonitis Treatment - Pain vs. Scan Results:    • Achilles Tendonitis Treatment - Pain ...
▶️ Laser Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis - Does It Work?    • Laser Treatment for Achilles Tendonit...
▶️ Is Ice Or Heat Better For Achilles Tendonitis?    • Is Ice Or Heat Better For Achilles Te...
▶️ PRP Injections for Achilles Tendinopathy - Do they Work?    • PRP Injections for Achilles Tendinopa...
▶️ Supplements for Achilles Tendonitis:    • Supplements for Achilles Tendonitis
▶️ Learn how the Menopause can Cause Achilles Tendonitis:    • Learn how the Menopause can Cause Ach...
▶️ Hormone Replacement Therapy, the Menopause, and Achilles Tendonitis:    • Hormone Replacement Therapy, the Meno...
▶️ Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), Achilles Tendonitis & Other Injuries - When to Use It & When Not To:    • Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), Achille...
▶️ How Long does Achilles Tendonitis Recovery Take?    • Recovery Times for Achilles Tendoniti...
▶️ Night Splints for Achilles Tendonitis - A Waste of Money. Do this Instead:    • Night Splints for Achilles Tendonitis...
▶️ Achilles Tendinopathy: Corticosteroid Injections:    • Achilles Tendinopathy: Corticosteroid...
▶️ Using A Boot for Achilles Tendinopathy or Pain:    • Using A Boot for Achilles Tendinopath...
▶️ DON'T Do Cross Friction Massage for Achilles Tendinopathy:    • DON'T Do Cross Friction Massage for A...

Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:53 The best treatment for Achilles tendonitis
00:08:27 Treatments that may reduce pain (but won't heal your tendon)
00:16:19 Treatments that may speed up healing
00:18:27 Achilles tendonitis treatments for specific situations
00:23:21 These treatments are a waste of time and money
00:24:50 Treatments that can make your Achilles tendonitis worse
00:27:37 How we can help

👉Some links here are to places where you can buy something relevant. If you do, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References:
Challoumas, Dimitrios, et al. "How does surgery compare to sham surgery or physiotherapy as a treatment for tendinopathy? A systematic review of randomised trials." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 5.1 (2019): e000528.
Cook JL. “Ten treatments to avoid in patients with lower limb tendon pain.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2018;52:882.
Cook JL, Rio E, Purdam CR, et al. “Revisiting the continuum model of tendon pathology: what is its merit in clinical practice and research?” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2016;50:1187-1191.
De Vos, R.-J., et al. (2021). "Dutch multidisciplinary guideline on Achilles tendinopathy." British Journal of Sports Medicine 55(20): 1125-1134.
Hanlon, S. L., et al. (2021). "Beyond the Diagnosis: Using Patient Characteristics and Domains of Tendon Health to Identify Latent Subgroups of Achilles Tendinopathy." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 51(9): 440-448.
Malliaras, P. (2022). "Physiotherapy management of Achilles tendinopathy." Journal of Physiotherapy 68(4): 221-237.
Scott A, Docking S, Vicenzino B, et al. “Sports and exercise-related tendinopathies: a review of selected topical issues by participants of the second International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium (ISTS) Vancouver 2012. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2013;47:536-544.
Slagers, A. J., et al. (2021). "Psychological factors during rehabilitation of patients with Achilles or patellar tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study." Physical Therapy in Sport 50: 145-152.
Vajapey S, Ghenbot S, Baria MR, Magnussen RA, Vasileff WK. “Utility of Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy for Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review.” Sports Health. 2021 May-Jun;13(3):258-264.
Van Der Vlist, A. C., et al. (2021). "Which treatment is most effective for patients with Achilles tendinopathy? A living systematic review with network meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials." British Journal of Sports Medicine 55(5): 249-256.
Zhi, X., et al. (2021). "Nonoperative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review." Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 16(1): 1

@TreatMyAchilles 1 year ago

👉 In the video I mention heel lift shoe inserts to help your Achilles pain to calm down. Here are some examples on Amazon: - Makryn adjustable: geni.us/lA7G - XINIFOOT: geni.us/QiGjBE - Ailaka gel: geni.us/pZUEZ Remember to use them in both shoes! If you buy anything via these links, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you

@mariadelmar9317 4 months ago

I've struggled with this injury for YEARS...I thought that it was "normal" to feel this pain. This channel is changing my life, thank you.

@maryevans7169 10 months ago

Thank you, im so glad I found your channel. Im 61 yrs old and this is my 3rd injury. Hopefully your videos will help me me 😢 i do not want surgery. Thats what the dr. Wants. I just had a hip replacement on my opposite leg. Thank you.

@NannyOggins 6 months ago

The Stress and anxiety section was a real eye opener for me. I knew about cortisol but didn’t know that the brain can’t tell the difference between emotional stress and physical stress! Very informative and helpful, thanks so much.

@westonhenderson5675 1 month ago

This is absolutely the best video on Achilles Tendinopothy. So good. Thank you for taking time to make this video.

@stephanie1543 1 year ago

Maryke's videos are much more comprehensive than any others and she's much more knowledgeable than the PT and Podiatrist that I've been seeing. I'm going to stop going to them and will see an accupuncturist and look into electroshockwave therapy and PRP. Thanks Maryke - I wish that I could see you for PT!