interesting appt with foot dr - Page 3

Photocat · ‎09-22-2021

Believe it or not, I just had this type of injection in my Achilles tendon in March this year. My podiatrist, who is also a surgeon, recommended it too. No insurance covers it. I can only share my experience and it is my understanding it can vary greatly from person to person.

My case - I have had Achilles tendonitis on and off (mostly on) for over 10 years. Several different doctors and a few different physical therapists during that time - no lasting relief.

The injection. I had to stop all NSAIDs and any anti-inflammatory supplements (like curcumin) 5 days before the injection. There was no numbing agents used as it interferes with the effectiveness of the stem cells. The injection went into the most painful spot in my Achilles. It was a slow injection (not like getting a vaccine AT ALL). One of the most painful things I've ever experienced. No pain meds allowed but Tylenol (which is useless), no ice, etc. They want the inflammatory response to heal the damaged tissue. The first two days I could barely walk the few steps from my chair to the bathroom. I really needed crutches but didn't have any (didn't expect I'd need them). This was broken bone like pain for two days but then it eased up significantly starting on day 3. It took about 8 weeks for me to get to basically "normal"

Did it work? Sort of. A lot of the pain I was having is gone but I still have some pain. I'm with a new PT person who really understands Achilles and I'm working on getting the right treatment for long term relief.

Would I do it again? I'm not sure. It was really painful.

Am I glad I did it? Yes actually I am. I think this will be successful in particular the combo of the injection and this particular PT person. I also know now Achilles injuries take up to a year to fully heal...so I'll know for sure by next year

Good luck and keep us posted on your decision!

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Photocat --so very interesting! And you had the amniotic one not the prp injection? I had never heard of the amniotic one before going to this new foot dr. I haven't gotten the CT scan yet and it will depend on what that says too. I had both my achilles tendons worked on in 2006/07. Had a walnut sized lump on both of them --went thru all the non invasive stuff before surgery, only to find out a few years later, that is was a side effect of a statin I was taking. Had the tendons replaced with the tendon/ligament that lets your big toe bend. So IF--I had stopped the statin, chances are, surgery wouldn't have been needed!!! anyway--am not sure if I will go for this injection---the pain is not horrendous but it is very annoying. and actually, Tylenol works very well for me so if I take it on a schedule, I can control the pain. Thanks for the info-- knowledge is power. Hope your ankles love your PT person.

Photocat · ‎09-22-2021

@wagirl Yes it was the amniotic injection. It was the first I had heard of it too. It is "relatively" new-ish. I think it has been around for a few years and I don't think they really "advertise" it. My doc says he has around a 95% success rate and of course uses it for many feet issues. I figured I would try since all other treatment options have yielded less than postive results for me. I don't want surgery either (speaking of a year long recovery).

Wow - I had no idea statins would do that to you! That is scary stuff. No way I'd take a statin (and that just reiforces it) but that is another story - lol.

It may not be as painful going into soft tissue. I don't know - definitely worth getting as much info as you can so you can make an informed decision. Knowledge definitely is power!

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Photocat --well, to be fair, I can't take ANY of the statins because of the side effects and for the vast majority of those taking them, they are very helpful and do a great job. In fact, that very statin, Crestor, did great for me and my high numbers. It just messed up my tendons.

The surgery to remove all my hardware in my ankle would not be a big deal--according to the surgeon🙄--he said probably 2 weeks in my boot and then just a few weeks to heal--and certainly not as serious as the first surgery. So I do have options. Think a CT scan is a good idea tho.

Jk9 · ‎07-18-2013

@wagirl Just saw your post (sorry for the delay in answering you). Yes, she had a lot of PT and was released from them. She literally shattered one ankle so she had a lot of pain and stiffness on that leg. She's also left having issues trying to find shoes that don't bother her ankles and can't wear "step in" type of shoes because of the hard slip in area. Such a devastating injury that it changes your life.

If my dog doesn't like you, neither do I.

Pink123 · ‎07-10-2019

@wagirl wrote:
@Pink123 --OH Pink!! Yes I did forget about your poor ankle---bad meWell, my break was pretty bad and everyone is amazed that I am doing so well at my ancient age---mine doesn't swell at all and can walk just fine and do walk alot with my DD. It's the top part of my foot and around the ankle bones and nowheres near all the hardware I have. More soft tissues pain and not bone pain from arthritis. that is the reason for the CT scan, too see more in depth inside.I have stairs too but not in my apartment but still am very careful about those.Going to see what is going on with the scan. All that's been done has been xrays from my surgeon who will take out the hardware if I want--me NO want anymore surgery !!!

@wagirl I forgot to tell you I had bunion surgery abut 30 years ago, it came back. I still have the screws in it everything too. Never bothered me. I felt it would hold everything in place better. I would leave it alone, just another Doctor to see.

mousiegirl · ‎03-09-2010

@wagirl wrote:
I broke my ankle in Oct of 2022--had surgery and recovered/healed well for my ancient 71 yearsCan walk just fine, which I do everyday but---the dang thing still aches--not where the hardware is on my ankle bone, but around it, maybe soft tissues, that can wake me up at night. I use Tylenol for pain as well as Aspercream. So went to a new to me, foot doc ---got xrays taken and we talked about all the things that could be done---but he wanted a CT scan to really see what is going on--he talked like it is prob arthritis which I'm sure it is to some extend--but one of the things he suggested was an injection of amniotic fluid. Never heard of that. Have heard of stem cell--prp--but not this kind.Would cost $1000 for it, same as for the prp. So I will schedule the scan and see what there is to see--did a little research and it is very interesting. Has anyone heard or had one of these type of injections?

@wagirl I use SportsGel whenever I have pain or soreness. I sprained an ankle badly one year, and the aching was horrible and kept me awake, so slathered SportsGel all over it and was able to sleep. Great for muscle soreness to the extent that I have to sit down, after using the gel, I am able to go about my day.

febe1 · ‎01-22-2012

I had a small fracture in my right foot about 10 years ago. Recently, it started with a small ache every day. Doctor said it's arthritis. Rarely, I'll take a Tylenol for it but just live with it.

I've learned not to tell my doctor about an ache here or there. She'll start sending me to specialist after specialist, and they never find anything.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@mousiegirl ---I do have voltaren gel that I use and also aspercreme. Both help somewhat. but are temporary at best.

mousiegirl · ‎03-09-2010

@wagirl wrote:
@mousiegirl ---I do have voltaren gel that I use and also aspercreme. Both help somewhat. but are temporary at best.

@wagirl SportsGel can last a while as long as there is a good amount on the injured area. The shot you mentioned sounds scary and expensive, so thought I would offer food for thought. I get it at amazon for $13.+, best price I could find.