I've had a bad Achilles injury since spring 2012. Not sure how it started, since I didn't do anything traumatic to it, so it may simply have come from overuse. It was there in some form since 2010, I got rid of it a few times with ART/eccentric heel drops, and resumed full training (60-70 mpw), but it's been there now for almost 3 years, and I'm down to about 20-25 minutes running 3 times a week, in moderate discomfort. I've tried almost everything in the meantime to fix it: supplements, ART, Graston, weights/eccentric exercises, rest, massage, ice, heat, etc.
An orthopedist recently told me that one of the last options I have would be for him to operate: a small incision and then making about 30 small "cuts" in the tendon, in order to (as he explained it) make the tendon "think" it was ruptured to stimulate a healing response. I haven't had an MRI yet, but he and another doctor have both said they suspect a partial tear. Cost is an issue for me, and the doctor essentially said it would be pointless to pay hundreds for an MRI only to have it reveal what they already know (the AT is partly torn), then add the cost of a surgery atop that.
In any event, I've always thought of surgery as an absolutely last resort, when all other alternatives have been completely exhausted. I don't know that I have exhausted all of them, so I'm hoping someone reading who's had similar experiences can propose some means to avoid going under the knife.
If you had a serious Achilles problem that lasted for a long time, and eventually beat it, what did you do? To be honest I'll try almost anything, even if it's somewhat bizarre or unconventional, to be able to get back to running again. I appreciate the help.