Medical Links Supporting the Use of Therapeutic Ultrasound

Achilles Injuries

Letters From Our Customers:

The Ankle/Achilles Inferno Wrap and Ultrasound Kit have been a Godsend

I am so happy I found your company when I did an "achilles tendon" search on the internet. I can use it in my own home and when it is convenient for me.

So far it has given me amazing results. When it starts to flare up again (usually because I have worn the "wrong" shoes) I just go to work on it with the Inferno Wrap followed by the Ultrasound treatment. Thanks for making these products available to the public.

Yours Truly

Glenna,
Florida USA

Rating: Five Star Rating

Contact one of our Mendmeshop Customer Service Advisors for any questions help with ordering and recommended treatment directions

College Referee Solves Achilles Tendonitis With Ultrasound and Inferno

At the age of 48 I have figured out that my body (muscles, etc) is not keeping up with the activities I want to persue. I am very active and referee high school and college basketball. At 44 I ruptured my right achilies tendon while refereeing a ball game. After surgery I was determined to keep this from happening again.

Four years later, I started experencing burning and pain in the other achilies tendon. I went to the orthopedist and he started me on physical therapy. PT consisted of ultrasound treatments. After spending over $400, I was released from therapy. I did some research on the internet, and I found a personal ultrasound unit from Mendmeshop.com. I purchased the unit along with an Inferno Wrap, and started using the unit daily. My pain has gone away and I am running on the treadmill again.

Thanks,

J. Darr, North Carolina

Rating: Five Star Rating

Achilles Tendinitis in both Heels!

I wanted to send this note to let potential users of the ultrasound device know that it has worked really well for me.

With achillis injuries on both heels, I have had to use it a lot. My pain level before was a 9 out of 10 and I could barely walk. After using the device as suggested by MendMeShop, my pain level is down to a 2.

Melanie DesFrances,
Georgia USA

Rating: Five Star Rating

More Facts About Achilles Tendonitis:

The achilles tendon does not have a rich blood supply. Blood supply is weakest at a point between 2 and 6 cm above its insertion into the calcaneus (heel).

Ignoring pain in the achilles tendon (ie. "running through the pain") is the biggest cause of chronic achilles tendonitis.

The achilles tendon is the connection between the heel and the most powerful muscle group in the body.

Sudden increases in running and or active sprinting sports can cause achilles tendonitis.

Excessive running up and down hills can aggravate the achilles tendon.

Stiff shoe soles at the ball of the foot will increase achilles tendon strain.

Excessive heel shock absorption can overstretch the achilles tendon.

Tight hamstrings and/or tight calf muscles create excess strain on the achilles tendon.

Therapeutic Ultrasound can speed achilles tendon recovery significantly.

"...nothing short of miraculous.."

First, I would like to thank you for your outstanding customer service. Secondly, I want to tell you what the ultrasound unit has done for me.

I injured my Achilles tendon during college baseball many years ago. It has been a nagging injury since and has prevented me pursuing many activities. I gave up trying to run several years ago due to the pain. I have been to several orthopedists, podiatrists, and a neuromuscular specialist with little to no results.

I happened onto your site and ordered the ultrasound unit out of desperation. At the risk of sounding fanatical, it has been nothing short of miraculous. The pain in my heel had become debilitating to the point that it altered my lifestyle. I would do anything to avoid having to walk any distance due to the discomfort.

After following the protocol outlined in the manual that comes with the unit, and being very diligent using the unit, I was essentially pain-free after about four weeks of use. I am now starting a training program to run a marathon for the first time next year. My three children have already committed to fly in and run the race with me, so I can't back out. I should mention that I am 55 years old.

I can't thank you enough for the support you offer. I have recommended you and will continue to recommend you to anyone who will listen.

Rating: Five Star Rating

Dr. James Dittoe
Ohio, USA

Even my chiropractor thought it was a great move...

I came across your site online while trying to research how to deal with my badly strained Achilles tendon. I ordered your portable ultrasound and 10 bottles of the necessary gel. I am thrilled with the results so far. The ultrasound wand is easy to use; the booklet was very informative and very professionally done. The gel is wonderfully soothing and the healing nature of its scent is a draw all by itself.

I have been using it for about two weeks now and the swelling in my tendon is greatly reduced and the redness is totally gone. I had been getting ultrasound treatments from my chiropractor, but only every other week as the cost was prohibitive. Even he thought it was a great move on my part to supplement it with the MendMeShop Ultrasound.

As I am a cautious consumer, I had called your customer service department before I ordered, with questions. Amazingly, a person answered immediately. She was very knowledgeable and totally helpful. I am thrilled to have connected with MendMeShop and am very confident that your products will be an integral part of my healing! Thanks so much.

Rating: Five Star Rating

Susan Littleton
CO, USA

Marathon Runner Using Ultrasound To Treat Achilles, Hip, and Hamstring Pain

The MendMeShop ultrasound device I bought has been a great purchase...well worth the money. The ultrasound gel seems so much better than the gel they use at the physical therapy or chiropractic offices.

I initially bought the ultrasound device for an Achilles problem, and that was taken care of within 3 weeks. I am a runner who competes in races ranging from a mile to the marathon distance and competes in duathlons and triathlons.

In January I had a severe injury of my hamstring. I took it easy, iced, and waited for the pain to go away (at this point I had not heard about a home ultrasound device.) I was able to continue running after the pain lessened, but my range of motion was limited. My right leg was tight because of the hamstring injury. In May I was running in a boot camp class and re-injured the hamstring. An MRI showed a right hamstring strain and extensive bursitis of the right hip.

I began using the ultrasound device 3 times a day and I can say that my hamstring and hip are pain free. I have not had this much flexibility/range of motion in my right leg for over a year and a half.

Barbara Doubek - Marathon Competitor
Rockford, Illinois

Rating: Five Star Rating

Perfect For My Recuperation!

I guess I am getting older, and well anyway, I ended up tearing my Achilles tendon. The pain was excrutiating. After having it checked by a doctor and a specialist, they informed there wasn't anything that could be done but to stay off of it. I went to a Massage therapist and he helped considerably. I got online and found this company. I couldn't have been happier.

The Ultrasound I purchased along with the gel was perfect for my recuperation. Within a couple of days of using them the pain began to subside and my movement quickly improved. It was a perfect find. Thank you very much. By the way, it has also helped my wife with her shoulder tightness.

Brian
Wagoner, Oklahoma

Rating: Five Star Rating

After 3 Weeks of Use, I Noticed a Significant Improvement

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Achilles Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis, I have no idea as to how I became injured, but it was there and it became so difficult to walk at times, especially after getting up from a resting position, that I had to seriously address it. I went to a podiatrist and after trying several treatments such as physical therapy, prescription orhtotics and acupuncture there was no improvement, so the subject of surgery was suggested by the podiatrist. I was totally opposed to surgery.

I heard about ultrasound therapy by a friend that told me it was used at times for sports injury. I found the MENDMESHOP on line, I spoke to them several times and the friendly staff gave me a great deal of information on the use of the ultrasound machine. I purchased the ultrasound machine and after three weeks of use, I noticed a significant improvement in my condition, not only did I use the machine on the Achilles and Plantar tendons, but also my wife used it on a Rotator Cuff tear with the same results. I am extremely satisfied with the therapeutic results from the machine and highly recommend the device.

Bob
Tampa, FL

Rating: Five Star Rating [5 of 5 Stars!]

Suffered From Achilles Tendonitis for 8 Months, But Not Anymore!

I had suffered from an acute form of Achilles tendonitis for around 8 months. The pain caused me a lot of grief over that time. I have been using the MendMeShop ultrasound unit for 2 months now and I am pretty well pain free now. In fact, my pain is basically gone.

I use it regularly and before I exercise. After finishing exercise, I use the Freezie Ankle Wrap I bought from you guys and then I use the ultrasound after that.

In addition, my wife was recently suffering from hip pain and wondered what she could do about it. The manual stated the ultrasound could be used over the area, so we applied a few treatments. She responded very positively, her pain practically disappeared.

John
Alabama, USA

Rating: Five Star Rating [5 of 5 Stars!]

Medical Community Articles and Studies

Medical Community Articles About Ultrasound Therapy

University of Iowa - Ultrasound is the Best Form of Heat Treatment for Soft Tissue Injuries.

Psychology Today - Painful Muscular Condition Responds to Noninvasive Ultrasound Treatment.

New England Journal of Medicine - Ultrasound Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder.

Journal of Athletic Training - Ultrasound Treatments Raise Muscle Temperature.

American Academy of Family Physicians - Ultrasound Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder.

Canadian Medical Association Journal - .The effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy on time to fracture healing: a meta-analysis.

American Family Physician - Ultrasound effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

National Institue of Health - Ultrasound Effective at Aiding Tendon Healing.

Podiatry Today - New Research Emerges On Benefits Of Ultrasound Use.

British Medical Journal - Ultrasound Treatments Effective For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Radiological Society of North America - Noninvasive Ultrasound Treatment Shrinks Fibroids.

Science Daily - Jefferson Researchers Find That Ultrasound Helps In Treating Achilles Tendonitis And Other Tendon Problems.

Technical Studies About Ultrasound Therapy

The body of scientific knowledge characterizing the positive bioeffects of ultrasound is rapidly accumulating....

General Review of the Bioeffects of Ultrasound

Baker KG, Robertson VJ, Duck FA. A Review of Therapeutic Ultrasound: Biophysical. Effects. Phys Ther. 2001; 81:1351-1358. Link

Barnett SB, Ter Haar GR, Ziskin MC, Nyborg WL, Maeda K, Bang J. Current Status of Research on Biophysical Effects of Ultrasound. Ultrasound in Med. And Biol., Vol., 20, No. 3, pp. 205-218, 1994. Link

Robertson VJ, Baker KG. A Review of Therapeutic Ultrasound: Effectiveness Studies. Phys Ther. 2001; 81:1339-1350. Link

Increased Nerve Regeneration

Crisci AR, Ferreira AL. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates the regeneration of the sciatic nerve after neurotomy in rats.
Ultrasound Med Biol. 2002 Oct;28(10):1335-41 Link

Lazar DA, Curra FP, Mohr B, McNutt LD, Kliot M, Mourad PD. Acceleration of recovery after injury to the peripheral nervous system using ultrasound and other therapeutic modalities.
Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2001 Apr;12(2):353-7. Link

Paik NJ, Cho SH, Han TR. Ultrasound therapy facilitates the recovery of acute pressure-induced conduction block of the median nerve in rabbits. Muscle Nerve. 2002 Sep;26(3):356-61 Link

Mourad PD, Lazar DA, Curra FP, Mohr BC, Andrus KC, Avellino AM, McNutt LD, Crum LA, Kliot M. Ultrasound accelerates functional recovery after peripheral nerve damage.
Neurosurgery. 2001 May;48(5):1136-40; discussion 1140-1. Link

Metabolic Effects

Altland OD, Dalecki D, Suchkova VN, Francis CW. Low-intensity ultrasound increases endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide synthesis.
J Thromb Haemost. 2004 Apr;2(4):637-43. Link

Suchkova V, Siddiqi FN, Carstensen EL, Dalecki D, Child S, Francis CW. Enhancement of fibrinolysis with 40-kHz ultrasound.
Circulation. 1998 Sep 8;98(10):1030-5. Link

Increased collagen repair

Da Cunha A, Parizotto NA, Vidal Bde C. The effect of therapeutic ultrasound on repair of the achilles tendon (tendo calcaneus) of the rat.
Ultrasound Med Biol. 2001 Dec;27(12):1691-6. Link

Demir H, Yaray S, Kirnap M, Yaray K. Comparison of the effects of laser and ultrasound treatments on experimental wound healing in rats.
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2004 Sep;41(5):721-8. Link

Improved resolution of inflammation

Young SR, Dyson M. Macrophage responsiveness to therapeutic ultrasound. Ultrasound Med Biol. 1990;16(8):809-16. Link

Increased Tissue Healing

Young SR, Dyson M. Effect of therapeutic ultrasound on the healing of full-thickness excised skin lesions. Ultrasonics. 1990 May;28(3):175-80. Link

Young SR, Dyson M. The effect of therapeutic ultrasound on angiogenesis. Ultrasound Med Biol. 1990;16(3):261-9. Link

Increased Membrane Permeability

Dinno MA, Dyson M, Young SR, Mortimer AJ, Hart J, Crum LA. The significance of membrane changes in the safe and effective use of therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound. Phys Med Biol. 1989 Nov;34(11):1543-52. Review. Link

Sundaram J, Mellein BR, Mitragotri S. An experimental and theoretical analysis of ultrasound-induced permeabilization of cell membranes. Biophys J. 2003 May;84(5):3087-101. Link

Accelerated fibrinolysis

Harpaz D. Ultrasound enhancement of thrombolytic therapy: observations and mechanisms.
Int J Cardiovasc Intervent. 2000 Jun;3(2):81-89. Link

Harpaz D, Chen X, Francis CW, Meltzer RS. Ultrasound accelerates urokinase-induced thrombolysis and reperfusion. Am Heart J. 1994 May;127(5):1211-9. Link

Harpaz D, Chen X, Francis CW, Marder VJ, Meltzer RS. Ultrasound enhancement of thrombolysis and reperfusion in vitro. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993 May;21(6):1507-11. Link

Increased matrix/collagen synthesis

Webster DF, Harvery W, Dyson M, Pond JB. The role of ultrasound-induced cavitation in the 'in vitro' stimulation of collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts. Ultrasonics. 1980 Jan;18(1):33-7. Link

Webster DF, Pond JB, Dyson M, Harvey W. The role of cavitation in the in vitro stimulation of protein synthesis in human fibroblasts by ultrasound. Ultrasound Med Biol. 1978;4(4):343-51. No abstract available. Link

Phonophoresis

Byl NN. The use of ultrasound as an enhancer for transcutaneous drug delivery: phonophoresis. Phys Ther. 1995 Jun;75(6):539-53. Review. Link

Byl NN, McKenzie A, Wond T, West J, Hunt TK. The effects of phonophoresis with corticosteroids: a controlled pilot study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993 Nov;18(5):590-600. Link

Kozanoglu E, Basaran S, Guzel R, Guler-Uysal F. Short term efficacy of ibuprofen phonophoresis versus continuous ultrasound therapy in shoulder osteoarthritis. Swiss Med Wkly. 2003 Jun 14;133(23-24):333-8. Link

Tezel A, Paliwal S, Shen Z, Mitragotri S. Low-frequency ultrasound as a transcutaneous immunization adjuvant. Vaccine. 2005 May 31;23(29):3800-7. Epub 2005 Mar 16. Link

Mitragotri S. Healing sound: the use of ultrasound in drug delivery and other therapeutic applications. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2005 Mar;4(3):255-60. Review. Link

Tezel A, Dokka S, Kelly S, Hardee GE, Mitragotri S. Topical delivery of anti-sense oligonucleotides using low-frequency sonophoresis. Pharm Res. 2004 Dec;21(12):2219-25. Link

Mitragotri S. Sonophoresis: a 50-year journey. Drug Discov Today. 2004 Sep 1;9(17):735-6. No abstract available. Link

Prausnitz MR, Mitragotri S, Langer R. Current status and future potential of transdermal drug delivery. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004 Feb;3(2):115-24. Review. Link

Mitragotri S, Kost J. Low-frequency sonophoresis: a review. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2004 Mar 27;56(5):589-601. Review. Link

Tezel A, Sens A, Mitragotri S. Description of transdermal transport of hydrophilic solutes during low-frequency sonophoresis based on a modified porous pathway model. J Pharm Sci. 2003 Feb;92(2):381-93. Link

Tezel A, Sens A, Mitragotri S. A theoretical analysis of low-frequency sonophoresis: dependence of transdermal transport pathways on frequency and energy density. Pharm Res. 2002 Dec;19(12):1841-6. Link

Tezel A, Sens A, Tuchscherer J, Mitragotri S. Synergistic effect of low-frequency ultrasound and surfactants on skin permeability. J Pharm Sci. 2002 Jan;91(1):91-100. Link

Mitragotri S, Kost J. Transdermal delivery of heparin and low-molecular weight heparin using low-frequency ultrasound. Pharm Res. 2001 Aug;18(8):1151-6. Link

Tang H, Mitragotri S, Blankschtein D, Langer R. Theoretical description of transdermal transport of hydrophilic permeants: application to low-frequency sonophoresis. J Pharm Sci. 2001 May;90(5):545-68. Link

Mitragotri S. Effect of therapeutic ultrasound on partition and diffusion coefficients in human stratum corneum. J Control Release. 2001 Mar 12;71(1):23-9. Review. Link

Le L, Kost J, Mitragotri S. Combined effect of low-frequency ultrasound and iontophoresis: applications for transdermal heparin delivery. Pharm Res. 2000 Sep;17(9):1151-4. No abstract available. Link

Mitragotri S, Coleman M, Kost J, Langer R. Analysis of ultrasonically extracted interstitial fluid as a predictor of blood glucose levels. J Appl Physiol. 2000 Sep;89(3):961-6. Link

Mitragotri S, Coleman M, Kost J, Langer R. Transdermal extraction of analytes using low-frequency ultrasound. Pharm Res. 2000 Apr;17(4):466-70. Link

Mitragotri S, Kost J. Low-frequency sonophoresis: a noninvasive method of drug delivery and diagnostics. Biotechnol Prog. 2000 May-Jun;16(3):488-92. Link

Mitragotri S, Blankschtein D, Langer R. An explanation for the variation of the sonophoretic transdermal transport enhancement from drug to drug. J Pharm Sci. 1997 Oct;86(10):1190-2. Link

Mitragotri S, Blankschtein D, Langer R. Ultrasound-mediated transdermal protein delivery. Science. 1995 Aug 11;269(5225):850-3. Link

Mitragotri S, Edwards DA, Blankschtein D, Langer R. A mechanistic study of ultrasonically-enhanced transdermal drug delivery. J Pharm Sci. 1995 Jun;84(6):697-706. Link

Mitragotri S, Blankschtein D, Langer R. Transdermal drug delivery using low-frequency sonophoresis. Pharm Res. 1996 Mar;13(3):411-20. Link

Kost J, Pliquett U, Mitragotri S, Yamamoto A, Langer R, Weaver J. Synergistic effects of chemical enhancers and therapeutic ultrasound on transdermal drug delivery. J Pharm Sci. 1996 Jul;85(7):670-9. Link

Johnson ME, Mitragotri S, Patel A, Blankschtein D, Langer R. Synergistic effects of chemical enhancers and therapeutic ultrasound on transdermal drug delivery. J Pharm Sci. 1996 Jul;85(7):670-9. Link

Mitragotri S, Ray D, Farrell J, Tang H, Yu B, Kost J, Blankschtein D, Langer R. Synergistic effect of low-frequency ultrasound and sodium lauryl sulfate on transdermal transport. J Pharm Sci. 2000 Jul;89(7):892-900. Link

Kost J, Mitragotri S, Gabbay RA, Pishko M, Langer R., Transdermal monitoring of glucose and other analytes using ultrasound. Nat Med. 2000 Mar;6(3):347-50. No abstract available. Link

Mitragotri S, Farrell J, Tang H, Terahara T, Kost J, Langer R. Determination of threshold energy dose for ultrasound-induced transdermal drug transport. J Control Release. 2000 Jan 3;63(1-2):41-52. Link

Tezel A, Sens A, Mitragotri S. Incorporation of lipophilic pathways into the porous pathway model for describing skin permeabilization during low-frequency sonophoresis. J Control Release. 2002 Sep 18;83(1):183-8. Link

Tezel A, Sens A, Tuchscherer J, Mitragotri S. Frequency dependence of sonophoresis. Pharm Res. 2001 Dec;18(12):1694-700. Link

Arthritis

Huang MH, Lin YS, Lee CL, Yang RC. Use of ultrasound to increase effectiveness of isokinetic exercise for shoulder osteoarthritis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Aug;86(8):1545-51. Link

Huang MH, Tsau JC, Ding HJ, Chai CY, Yang RC. The role of mucopolysaccharide induction in treatment of experimental osteoarthritis in rats by ultrasound. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 1997 Nov;13(11):661-70. Link

Huang MH, Ding HJ, Chai CY, Huang YF, Yang RC. Effects of sonication on articular cartilage in experimental osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 1997 Oct;24(10):1978-84. Link

Majlesi J. Unalan H. High-Power Pain Threshold Ultrasound Technique in the Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Case-Control Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:833-6. Link

Achilles Tendon Facts

There are over 250,000 achilles tendon injuries each year in the US.

One quarter of Achilles tendon injuries involve professional medical intervention.

Males experience Achilles injuries more often than females due to higher participation in sports and genetic difference.

Achilles tendonitis accounts for an estimated 11% of running injuries.

3-5% of athletes are forced to leave their sports career due to Achilles tendon overuse injuries that go untreated.

Oral Medications can mask the pain but do not aid in the healing of Achilles tendonitis. Anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections, and pain killers can cause Achilles tendonitis to worsen.

A fully ruptured tendon REQUIRES surgery. It will not heal on its own.

Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinitis are the same thing.

Continually using your Achilles tendon while it is injured will lead to a more serious and/or chronic injury.

Related Injuries

Peroneal Tendinitis

Posterior Tibial Tendinitis (tendinitis of the foot)

Plantar Fasciitis

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Patellar Tendinitis

Quadriceps Tendinitis

Shin Splints

Repetitive Stress Injury Overview

ACL Tear Injury

Hoffas Syndrome (Knee)

pain relief and injury treatment with ultrasound therapy

Advanced Therapy for torn achilles, ruptured achilles, sprained ankle or other ankle injury

Ankle sprain treatment and pulled achilles treatment without surgery

Relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis with a cold compress

This universal leg wrap can increase healing rate of a shin, calf, groin, thigh, or hamstring

Freezie Leg wrap for cold compression of the shin, calf, groin, thigh, or hamstring

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