All About Achilles Tendinitis
A sore Achilles tendon makes it difficult to do just about anything. The pain can be very severe, and keep you from enjoying your normal activities. Achilles tendinitis could be the reason that you’re having so much pain, but not to worry, you can get treatment that can help.
At Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle, our team is ready to help you kick your Achilles tendon pain to the curb. Our team is led by three expert podiatrists who specialize in foot and ankle treatments. They get you a customized treatment plan so you can get rid of your Achilles tendinitis.
What is achilles tendinitis?
Achilles tendinitis is a condition that affects your Achilles tendon. This tendon is the biggest and strongest of all the tendons in your body. It attaches the muscles in your calf to your foot and ankle so you can move.
Achilles tendinitis causes inflammation in your tendon. This often leads to pain and swelling, which can limit the amount of movement and motion you have in your ankle.
This condition is considered an overuse injury, meaning there’s no specific injury that may have led to it. Usually, athletes and very active people are most affected by Achilles tendinitis. This is because they’re often on their feet, putting strain on the tendon.
Achilles tendinitis can lead to so much pain that you have trouble walking or getting around. Without the proper treatment, this condition can continue to worsen, leading to other problems as well.
Symptoms of Achilles tendinitis
The symptoms that you may have can vary, and may be mild or severe. The type of symptoms you have depend on how severe your tendinitis is and the damage that has been done to your tendon. Common symptoms that you may experience with this condition include:
- Pain that worsens with activities
- Pain in your heel
- Swelling that worsens throughout the day
- Stiffness near your Achilles in the morning
- Thickening of your tendon
If you’re suffering from Achilles tendinitis, you may also have trouble flexing your foot due to the pain and swelling in your Achilles tendon.
What are your treatment options?
Whenever possible, our doctors treat your Achilles tendinitis with conservative measures. These treatments can help when you have mild to moderate Achilles tendinitis. They can reduce your pain and allow you to continue most of your activities. Conservative treatments that you may receive include:
- Ice
- Rest
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Low-impact exercises
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injections
- Customized orthotics
Sometimes, though, conservative measures just aren’t enough to help you decrease the pain related to Achilles tendinitis. If you’ve tried multiple conservative treatments without significant relief, our team may recommend surgery to help you get your life back.
There are several different options for surgical repair of your Achilles tendon. After getting imaging studies such as an MRI, our team of doctors determines what type of surgery would be best for your specific condition.
Some of the procedures that our team offers for Achilles tendinitis include:
- Gastrocnemius recession
- Achilles debridement
- Tendon repair
- Achilles debridement with tendon transfer
The type of surgery you’ll need depends on the severity of your condition and the amount of damage to your Achilles tendon.
If you’re suffering from Achilles tendinitis, call one of our conveniently located offices in Wheat Ridge, Granby, Thornton, or Evergreen, Colorado, at 303-423-2520 to schedule a consultation. You can also request an appointment online using our handy booking tool.