posted by slow_healer_sam 5d ago

Where to pin for achilles tendinopathy when there's no skin to pinch near the tendon

Been reading through old threads but still stuck on this. My achilles is basically a bowstring right now, there's zero fat to pinch anywhere close to it and I keep hitting that little vein/nerve bundle near the ankle when I try. Is it actually worth doing thigh or belly subq instead, or does the whole point of local injection get lost if I'm not anywhere near the tendon itself? Trying to run BPC and TB-500 together and don't want to waste it by pinning wrong.

Still here. Still slow.

9 comments

Add a comment

PharmD_NadiaPhoenix, AZ7 points5d ago

Subq absorption doesn't care much which fat pad you use, it's going into the bloodstream either way once it's past the capillary bed. Thigh and belly are fine sites and honestly easier to rotate without hitting a vessel. The 'local' theory with BPC near the injury is more about tissue concentration gradient, not a hard requirement for it to work.

If the vial looks cloudy, the answer is no.

tendon_tinkerAustin, TX7 points5d ago

I track this because of course I do. Switched from trying to pin right at the ankle to alternating thigh and lower belly about a year ago, no difference in my pain scores on the spreadsheet, healing curve looks the same as when I was fighting for skin near the tendon and occasionally nicking something.

Measure it or it did not happen.

CoachTerrellAtlanta, GA7 points5d ago

Load still matters more than injection site.

You cannot inject your way out of a bad program.

AchillesAnnaPortland, OR5 points5d ago

I pin my belly, never near the ankle. Honestly safer and I still saw improvement around week 4.

Slow is smooth. Smooth is 5k pace eventually.

LabRatLouisBoston, MA7 points5d ago

The gradient diffusion idea from the rat studies doesn't really scale down to a human ankle anyway, the distances involved are tiny.

Preclinical is not a promise.

copper_curiousMiami, FL2 points5d ago

Sub-q or IM for the thigh shots?

Collagen is a process, not a purchase.

Dr_Rehab_RayCleveland, OH1 points5d ago

Where you pin matters less than whether you're loading the tendon progressively. Pick the safest site and keep that consistent.

Load is the drug with the best data.

mito_mikeBoulder, CO6 points5d ago

Belly pins, never had an issue, never overthought it.

Watts do not lie. Neither do lactate strips.

NightShiftNurseSacramento, CA6 points5d ago

Same here, thigh rotation works fine on night shift when I'm too tired to be precise.

Recovery happens at 3am, if it happens.