Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendon, the strongest tendon in the body, is often affected by active and sporty individuals. Unfortunately, it can become diseased, causing significant discomfort and impeding everyday mobility, which can greatly impact quality of life. In fact, endurance runners have a 52% cumulative risk of developing a condition known as Achilles tendinopathy during their lifetime.
Non-insertional or midportion tendinopathy affects the tendon itself and often responds well to a structured, robust program of stretching exercises that need to be done over several weeks. However, at times it can be a stubborn problem. Treatments such as injections and shock wave therapy can be helpful. In some patients where non-invasive methods don't work a day case operation releasing a small portion of muscle behind the knee can give long term symptoms relief. This surgery has 95% success rate in stubborn planta fasciitis cases
Some patients can well respond to a targeted injection of shock wave therapy. Others need surgery. The traditional open operation involves a large skin incision to remove the diseased tendon and offending bone prominence, and then reattaching the tendon. While this procedure can provide pain relief, it carries risks. Recovery can take well over a year, and there is also a risk of skin breakdown, which can be challenging to treat.
Fortunately, there are innovative minimal excess techniques available for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. One procedure involves resecting the bony lump through two small incisions in the skin at the back of the heel using telescopes. It allows for quicker recovery and minimal disruption to the soft tissues. It allows patient to walk straight away. I am one of very few surgeons in the UK performing this technique on a regular basis. This procedure has 80% success rate
The other valid surgical option is to shorten the heel bone through tiny skin incisions to relieve to pressure from a diseased tendon on diseased bone. It is called MIS Zadek’s osteotomy and has reliably high success rate. Patients are able to walk straight away needing a special boot for about 4 weeks.
Compare Before & After Result
If you suffer with stubborn bunions, misaligned toes, agonising ankle arthritis or persistent
heel pain don’t hesitate to consult with Mr Akimau.
Before
procedures
After
procedures
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About Me
Meet Mr. Pavel Akimau
Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon
Mr Akimau has been working as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at University Hospitals of North Staffordshire NHS Trust since 2021. Patients’ wellbeing and genuine willingness to help has always been Mr Akimau top priority. He has got a high calibre expertise in full spectrum of elective and traumatic Foot and Ankle conditions as well as general trauma.
