Heel pain is one of the most common causes of foot pain in the world. There are a few different conditions that can cause pain in the back of the heel. Achilles tendinitis, where there is pain and swelling in the back of the heel, where the Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to the heel, is due to an overuse injury and inflammation in and around the tendon. Sometimes there can be partial tears within the tendon seen on MRI which may need to be repaired. Chronic, non-healing, diseased tissue of the tendon, or Achilles tendinosis, can develop with thickening and scar tissue within the Achilles tendon, which can also be painful. These findings can be present with or without an Achilles heel spur, which grows where the tendon attaches to the back of the heel bone. Somtimes this Achilles heel spur can be present by itself and cause pain, and is easily diagnosed with an X-ray or ultrasound.

​

Sometimes second to trauma or sports injuries, an acute Achilles tendon rupture can occur that can be painful, and usually requires either surgical repair or prolonged non-weight-bearing for at least 4-8 weeks. Other causes of heel pain exist. And there are many treatments for all types of heel pain. A prompt evaluation by an experienced foot and ankle surgeon that specializes in heel pain treatment is necessary for the proper diagnosis and treatment options and recommendations.

​

Sometimes Achilles tendon conditions and heel spurs can be treated with conservative therapies, including Regenerative Medicine injections with stem cells, injectable amniotic tissue/fuid grafts, or Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP injections). If it is not diagnosed properly or does not respond to conservative therapies, it can linger and become a chronic condition after 4-6 months which remains painful and is often harder to treat effectively. Sometimes the heel spur needs to be removed for adequate treatment. These have traditionally required open surgical intervention until recently.

​

Doctor Pero performs both open and minimally-invasive procedures in the hospital, outpatient surgery, and office-based surgery setting for an acute or chronic Achilles tendon rupture repair, Achilles heel spur removal, and the new minimal incision Tenex procedure for Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis, to help patients end their pain. They usually have great success rates. The minimally-invasive techniques require additional training and expertise, and often result in:

​

- smaller incisions

- minimal to no stitches

- minimal to no scarring

- less pain

- less swelling

- ability to bear weight quickly after surgery

- less risk for infection

- less risk for blood clots

- less downtime

- early recovery

- ability to go back to work or sports sooner

​

These advantages make it a superior treatment option for those who qualify as a candidate for minimally-invasive procedures for pain associated with Achilles heel spurs and Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis.