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Fabienne Rottenberg, DPMUpper West Side PodiatryBook on Zocdoc

Achilles pain · Upper West Side

Achilles tendonitis treatment that gets you moving again.

Pain at the back of the heel or up the tendon can stop running, walking and stairs. Dr. Rottenberg finds which part of the tendon is irritated and why, then treats it with a plan that can include MLS laser therapy, heel lifts, custom orthotics and a step-by-step strengthening program.

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Board-certified foot surgeon · FACFAS · Mount Sinai faculty · English, French, Hebrew & Spanish

Clinician examining the back of a patient’s heel
MLS laser in the officeNo downtime

Information from the practice of Fabienne Rottenberg, DPM, board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Clinical Instructor in Orthopedics at Mount Sinai. Updated . This page is general information, not a diagnosis.

Book a visit if…

  • Pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, worst in the morning
  • A tender or thickened Achilles tendon
  • A bump at the back of the heel that rubs in shoes
  • Pain that returns every time you increase running or walking

Call the office first if…

  • You felt a pop or a kick at the back of the ankle
  • You suddenly cannot push off or rise onto your toes
  • The calf or ankle is very swollen or bruised
  • You recently took an antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family and have new tendon pain

What it is

Where it hurts tells you a lot.

Achilles tendonitis, also called tendinopathy, is irritation and wear in the tendon that joins the calf to the heel. Pain a few inches above the heel and pain right where the tendon attaches to the bone behave differently and are treated differently.

It often follows a jump in activity, a change of shoes, hill or speed work, or tight calves. Walking long distances on city pavement adds up too.

How it is treated

Calm the tendon, then make it stronger.

Most Achilles problems get better without surgery. The first goal is to calm the pain: adjust activity rather than stop it, add heel lifts or orthotics, and use MLS laser therapy if it suits you. A patient review credits MLS laser with easing her Achilles pain in a few short sessions.

The second goal is to make the tendon stronger so it does not flare up again. That means a gradual loading and stretching program and a clear plan for returning to running or sport.

  • Walk in with the shoes you run or walk in most
  • Expect a written return-to-activity plan
  • Follow-up checks track progress

Your options

Achilles treatment options

Most people need a combination of these, adjusted as the tendon settles.

Activity changes

Keep moving, but change how much, how fast and on what surface while the tendon heals.

MLS laser therapy

Short in-office sessions that can reduce pain and inflammation, with no downtime.

Heel lifts and orthotics

Take strain off the tendon in everyday shoes and running shoes.

Strengthening program

A gradual loading plan that makes the tendon more resilient.

PRP injection

Your own concentrated platelets, considered for long-standing tendon pain that has not healed.

Walking boot

A short period of protection for severe flare-ups.

Surgery, rarely

Considered only when months of good care have not helped, or after a rupture.

Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg

Who treats you

Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg, DPM, FACFAS

  • Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
  • Clinical Instructor in Orthopedics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Offers MLS laser therapy in the office
  • Treats runners, dancers, walkers and weekend athletes

Telehealth available: some questions and follow-ups can be handled by video. Ask when you call.

Training, credentials and hospital affiliations

285 West End Ave at 73rd St · Mon–Thu, 9–5

Get your Achilles pain checked.

Find out which part of the tendon is irritated and get a plan to get back to running and walking.

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Questions patients ask

Achilles Tendonitis: common questions.

Your own answer depends on an in-person exam. Call the office if your question is not here.

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Should I stop running with Achilles pain?

Not always. Many runners can keep running at a lower level while the tendon recovers. Sharp pain, limping or pain that worsens during a run means stop and get checked.

How long does Achilles tendonitis take to heal?

Mild cases often improve in a few weeks. Long-standing tendon pain can take several months of steady strengthening. Your plan will include checkpoints so you know you are on track.

Does MLS laser help Achilles tendonitis?

MLS laser can reduce pain and inflammation for many people, which makes it easier to keep up with strengthening. It works best as part of a full plan, not on its own.

Do you give injections for Achilles pain?

Steroid injections into the Achilles tendon are avoided because they can weaken it. For long-standing tendon pain, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) made from your own blood is an option Dr. Rottenberg can discuss.

How do I know if I tore my Achilles?

A sudden pop, a feeling of being kicked at the back of the ankle, and trouble pushing off are warning signs. Call the office right away or go to urgent care.

Related care

Other problems Dr. Rottenberg treats

Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Evaluation and treatment for heel and arch pain.

Read more

PRP & Joint Injections

PRP (platelet-rich plasma), hyaluronic acid joint injections and cortisone injections for heel, tendon and joint pain, from board-certified foot surgeon Dr.

Read more

MLS Laser Therapy

MLS laser therapy for heel pain, Achilles pain, arthritis and nerve pain on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Read more

Sources

Further reading from medical organizations

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think you have an emergency, call 911.

Achilles Tendonitis · Upper West Side

Get your Achilles pain checked.

Call (212) 724-4457Contact the practice