Hi all, I'm asking this question for a good friend of mine who is also in Chiang Mai. He has had recurring issues in both his Achilles heels whereby they become injured with what seems a pull and then he is housebound for 2 months or more. He's had it twice in both feet. I know, it sounds ridiculous but he is just getting over an episode such as this (hopefully). It is real and I have seen it with my own eyes. Pushing himself around on his wheelie chair with his uninjured foot, in his 5th floor walk up apt., he actually injured the good foot/heel from the added stress. Crazy. Just for some back-story, he used to play a lot of basketball which he thinks is the problem. He is about 47 and doesn't eat meat (but does eat fish). I only add this last part thinking that perhaps he needs more protein and the like.

He has seen a doctor in CM in the past but was unimpressed. He has also seen some specialists at the Mayo clinic in the US and some doctors in Singapore but so far, no one has been able to help him. He has it in his head that the doctors/hospitals are much better in Singapore than here in Thailand. I'm not sure that's true.

Cutting to the chase: does anyone have recommendations on who he could consult here in Chiang Mai to start and then in Bkk if that is more suitable?

Thank you kindly! Bamboozled.

Given that doctors in US were reportedly unsuccessful in treating his issue, in Thailand I would head straight to the best which means Bangkok

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/assoc-prof-dr-bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

Same doctor, different hospitals. He is also at Siriraj.

Sheryl! I was hoping you would respond. I had told my friend about the great advice you had given me in the past and that I would make the inquiry on his behalf. I, of course, meant Achilles tendon, as I'm sure you surmised.

You are fantastic and lickety-split in responding. A real treasure. Thank you. I will pass on the info ASAP.

Would one expect different pricing at the different facilities, do you think?

1 hour ago, bamboozled said:

Just for some back-story, he used to play a lot of basketball which he thinks is the problem. He is about 47 and doesn't eat meat (but does eat fish). I only add this last part thinking that perhaps he needs more protein and the like.

Just a random thought .....

Is he or has he been taking antibiotics?

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Just a random thought .....

Is he or has he been taking antibiotics?

Hi BritManToo...good question. I will ask him. Thank you for your input.

44 minutes ago, bamboozled said:

Sheryl! I was hoping you would respond. I had told my friend about the great advice you had given me in the past and that I would make the inquiry on his behalf. I, of course, meant Achilles tendon, as I'm sure you surmised.

You are fantastic and lickety-split in responding. A real treasure. Thank you. I will pass on the info ASAP.

Would one expect different pricing at the different facilities, do you think?

Yes. Bumrungrad will cost more. Phyathai less and Siriraj the least. The latter 2 are less conveniently located however (Thonburi side of the river).

While unusual it does sometimes happen that surgery is required for this. Since it sounds like conservative approach has failed this could be one such case. In which case hospital costs will matter much more than usual.

3 hours ago, bamboozled said:

Hi all, I'm asking this question for a good friend of mine who is also in Chiang Mai. He has had recurring issues in both his Achilles heels whereby they become injured with what seems a pull and then he is housebound for 2 months or more. He's had it twice in both feet. I know, it sounds ridiculous but he is just getting over an episode such as this (hopefully). It is real and I have seen it with my own eyes. Pushing himself around on his wheelie chair with his uninjured foot, in his 5th floor walk up apt., he actually injured the good foot/heel from the added stress. Crazy. Just for some back-story, he used to play a lot of basketball which he thinks is the problem. He is about 47 and doesn't eat meat (but does eat fish). I only add this last part thinking that perhaps he needs more protein and the like.

He has seen a doctor in CM in the past but was unimpressed. He has also seen some specialists at the Mayo clinic in the US and some doctors in Singapore but so far, no one has been able to help him. He has it in his head that the doctors/hospitals are much better in Singapore than here in Thailand. I'm not sure that's true.

Cutting to the chase: does anyone have recommendations on who he could consult here in Chiang Mai to start and then in Bkk if that is more suitable?

Thank you kindly! Bamboozled.

Dr. Chanakarn, Boston Health Polyclinic (specialist for sports medicine)

Dr. Preecha and Dr. Paiboon (tendonitis specialists) Chiangmai Ram

I had problems with my right knee whenever I tried to walk more than 30 minutes. My friends said it was part of getting old but I just had a feeling it was something else.

It turned out I had high uric acid(gout). My doctor told me to stop eating chicken and now I take colchicine every Monday-Wednesday and allopurinol daily.

18 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Dr. Chanakarn, Boston Health Polyclinic (specialist for sports medicine)

Dr. Preecha and Dr. Paiboon (tendonitis specialists) Chiangmai Ram

Many thanks! I will pass on the info!

3 minutes ago, Furioso said:

I had problems with my right knee whenever I tried to walk more than 30 minutes. My friends said it was part of getting old but I just had a feeling it was something else.

It turned out I had high uric acid(gout). My doctor told me to stop eating chicken and now I take colchicine every Monday-Wednesday and allopurinol daily.

Appreciate it, F. I'll tell him: no chix.

I can recommend Dr. Ark. I have a splayfoot. I also had to make some bloodtests (external lab - easy going) to be sure not to have gout. X-ray and giving out medication at his location.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/259WEVGtqXogpeXS9

His homepage is unfortunatley only in Thai. English is no problem.

As far as I know he also is once per week at Bangok Hospital (Chiang Mai). You can try to make an appointment there online if it suits youre friend better.

He opens at 17:00. Sunday & Tuesday closed. You don't have to make an appointment, but be there a bit earlier. After 17:00 it gets very quick very crowded. First in, first served.

On 1/8/2026 at 11:33 AM, Schoggibueb said:

I can recommend Dr. Ark. I have a splayfoot. I also had to make some bloodtests (external lab - easy going) to be sure not to have gout. X-ray and giving out medication at his location.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/259WEVGtqXogpeXS9

His homepage is unfortunatley only in Thai. English is no problem.

As far as I know he also is once per week at Bangok Hospital (Chiang Mai). You can try to make an appointment there online if it suits youre friend better.

He opens at 17:00. Sunday & Tuesday closed. You don't have to make an appointment, but be there a bit earlier. After 17:00 it gets very quick very crowded. First in, first served.

Thank you much, Schoggibueb. I will pass on the info. Cheers! Appreciate your time...

I had a similar problem. Final solution was to treat it like gout.

On 1/7/2026 at 6:43 PM, bamboozled said:

Many thanks! I will pass on the info!

Also the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin can result in tendon problems and the achilles tendons appear to be those most often affected.........for the record I have experienced this and it is well documented, with a warning label put on the packet of that particular drug in the USA.

As someone mentioned, there is a certain type of antibiotic that can injure tendons - even months after you stop taking it. The one I'm aware of is called Ciprofolxacin. It is not a frontline antibiotic but many doctors in Thailand prescribe it anyway, often off label, for all kinds of things. Normallly it's for serious lung or urinary tract infections - but some prescribe it for ear infections - even though it's ototoxic.

On 1/7/2026 at 3:23 PM, Sheryl said:

Given that doctors in US were reportedly unsuccessful in treating his issue, in Thailand I would head straight to the best which means Bangkok

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/assoc-prof-dr-bavornrit-chuckpaiwong

Same doctor, different hospitals. He is also at Siriraj.

@bamboozled there is no doubt that Dr. Chuckpaiwong is one of, if not the, best credentialed foot specific doctors in all of Thailand. Having said that, I had a less than satisfactory initial appointment with him at Phyathai 3 for insertional achilles tendinitis - dm if you would like more info. Best of luck.