Achilles Tendonitis Care and Relief

What You Need To Know

Understanding Achilles tendonitis, its symptoms, and how we treat it.

Understanding Achilles Tendonitis

Tendons are tissue cords that connect muscles to bone. The largest in the body is the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Tendonitis is when the tendon becomes inflamed and is a common cause of foot or ankle pain.

When you use a set of muscles too much, you are likely to strain the tendons that connect those muscles to your bones. At first, pain or swelling may come and go quickly. But if you do too much too soon, the strain may cause a tendon’s outer covering to swell or small fibers in a tendon to pull apart. If you keep pushing your muscles, damage adds up and tendonitis develops. Over time, pain and swelling may limit your activities. With your doctor’s help, tendonitis can be controlled.

Achilles tendonitis causes pain and swelling at the back of the heel. Pain and stiffness may be worst in the morning, and pain often worsens with activity. You may feel it when your foot touches down or when your heel lifts off the ground. At first you may feel pain only during or after a workout, but as tendon damage adds up, your foot may hurt when you walk or even when you stand still.

Tendonitis results from overuse or an injury. Exercising without a proper warm-up and stretching can contribute to this inflammation. Individuals with tight tendons, flat feet, or arthritis are prone to tendonitis. If your pain is persistent and rest and icing do not help, it is time to visit a podiatrist. Left untreated, tendonitis may become chronic and more difficult to treat, so we encourage you to schedule an evaluation early.

Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention

To treat Achilles tendonitis, we first focus on relieving your pain. Immobilization with a soft cast can help with healing, which may take a few weeks. We may prescribe oral medication to help with pain and swelling. In more severe cases, cortisone may be injected to relieve pain.

Ice helps prevent swelling and reduce pain. Place ice on the painful area for 10 minutes, and repeat several times a day. If you already have swelling, applying a heating pad or hot towels to the tendon for 30 minutes two or three times a day may help. Rest allows the tissues in your foot to heal. Stay off your feet for a few days, then slowly work back into activity. If you do high-impact activities such as running or aerobics, try lower-impact options like cycling or swimming.

Custom-fitted orthotics can help control the motion of your feet to reduce your chances of recurring tendonitis. Stretches and strengthening exercises can improve elasticity and strengthen nearby muscles. Wear the right shoe for the activity, with good arch, heel, and ankle support, and vary your exercise routine so one set of muscles is not always under extra stress.

Follow all of your doctor’s instructions, as returning to activity too soon may cause your symptoms to come back. With consistent care and gradual progress, we will help you return to the activities you enjoy.