PRP and Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a common cause of heel and lower leg pain, especially in runners, athletes, and active adults. It occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes irritated or degenerative from overuse, tight calf muscles, or repetitive stress. While rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory treatments may help early symptoms, many patients continue to experience chronic pain that limits exercise and daily activity. At Carolina Nonsurgical Orthopedics, we specialize in advanced non-surgical treatments for Achilles tendonitis, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and shockwave therapy, which are designed to stimulate healing in damaged tendon tissue.

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

PRP Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative treatment that uses your body’s own healing cells to repair damaged tendon tissue.

During the procedure:

• A small amount of your blood is drawn

• The blood is processed to concentrate platelets and growth factors

• The PRP is injected directly into the injured portion of the Achilles tendon using ultrasound guidance

PRP works by stimulating the body’s natural healing response and improving tendon tissue quality.

Potential benefits of PRP for Achilles tendonitis include:

• Stimulates tendon healing

• Reduces chronic pain

• Improves tendon strength and function

• Helps avoid surgery in many cases

• Uses your body’s natural growth factors

PRP is commonly used for chronic Achilles tendinopathy that has not improved with rest, therapy, or medications.

Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendon Pain

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic energy to the injured tendon. This energy stimulates blood flow and cellular repair within the tendon.

Shockwave therapy can help:

• Improve circulation to damaged tendon tissue

• Stimulate collagen production

• Reduce chronic tendon pain

• Break up degenerative tendon tissue

• Accelerate healing

Shockwave therapy is often performed in a series of treatments over several weeks and does not require injections or downtime.

Combining PRP and Shockwave Therapy

In many cases, the best results occur when PRP and shockwave therapy are combined.

This approach can:

• Stimulate a stronger healing response

• Improve outcomes for chronic tendon injuries

• Reduce recovery time

• Help patients return to activity faster

These treatments are especially helpful for patients with:

• Chronic Achilles tendinopathy

• Insertional Achilles tendonitis

• Mid-portion Achilles tendon pain

• Achilles injuries that have not responded to physical therapy

• Non-Surgical Achilles Tendon Treatment in Raleigh

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At Carolina Nonsurgical Orthopedics, we specialize in advanced ultrasound-guided treatments for tendon injuries, including Achilles tendonitis. Our goal is to help patients reduce pain, restore function, and return to activity without surgery whenever possible.

Our Achilles tendon treatments may include:

• Ultrasound-guided PRP injections

• Shockwave therapy

• Targeted rehabilitation strategies

• Advanced regenerative treatments for chronic tendon injuries

Schedule an Evaluation

If you are experiencing Achilles tendon pain, stiffness, or chronic tendonitis, early evaluation can help prevent the condition from worsening.

Our team can determine whether PRP therapy, shockwave therapy, or other non-surgical treatments may be appropriate for your condition.

Contact Carolina Nonsurgical Orthopedics today to schedule an evaluation for Achilles tendonitis treatment in Raleigh.

 

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