Less invasive procedure an option to repair Achilles tendon

Author: Amy Oshier
Published: Updated:

Physical therapy and invasive foot surgery have long been the standards of care for repairing people’s Achilles tendons.

But now, there’s a much less invasive procedure that repairs the Achilles tendon right in the doctor’s office.

Barbara Lakis is a triathlete. She swims, bikes and does long-distance running, but over time, she was plagued with leg and foot injuries.

“As you get older, you become less pliable, less flexible. You’re more prone to those injuries,” Lakis said. “I’ve had this injury to both my Achilles since 2008, since my first marathon, and I’ve been just, kinda, suffering through it.”

Unable to even climb the stairs, Lakis considered her standard treatment of options of physical therapy and invasive surgery.

“When the doctor offered me, like, door number three, option number three, I took it,” she said.

“We performed a percutaneous tenotomy procedure, which is a big mouthful for a small surgery,” said Dr. Anastasio.

Dr. Anastasio used a small needled under ultrasound to penetrate the scar tissue blocking the tendon.

“The procedure re-establishes that blood flow and it does mechanically break up the scar tissue to a degree. And, that allows the body to take over and heal, and remodel the tendon,” he said.

“I’m a very prepared person, so I brought my crutches, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to weight bear, and I stood up and I could walk,” Lakis said.

And soon enough, she’ll run again.

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