What is Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is a common wear-and-tear injury that affects your Achilles tendon, a tough band of tissue that connects the muscles at the bottom of your calf to your heel bone.
Achilles tendonitis affects patients of all ages, but it’s particularly common in middle-aged people who play sports occasionally and runners who increase the intensity of their workouts.
What are the Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis?
The most common symptom associated with Achilles tendonitis is a mild ache at the back of your heel following periods of physical activity. You might also experience worse pain following an intense workout that involves long-distance running or stair climbing.
It’s also common for people with Achilles tendonitis to experience pain, stiffness, or irritation in the morning or after extended periods of rest. Most of the time, pain caused by Achilles tendonitis subsides after light exercise such as walking or stretching.
Who is at Risk of Developing Achilles Tendonitis?
Anyone can develop Achilles tendonitis, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk, including:
- Being a man
- Being middle-aged or older
- Having flatfeet
- Being obese
- Having psoriasis
- Having high blood pressure
You’re also more likely to develop Achilles tendonitis if you train in cold weather or you wear worn-out shoes that don’t provide adequate support.
How is Achilles Tendonitis Diagnosed?
Bay Area Foot Care diagnoses Achilles tendonitis with a review of your medical history, asking about your symptoms, and physically examining your foot and ankle.
Your doctor might also gently press on the affected area to determine what’s causing your pain, tenderness, or swelling. If necessary, your doctor might also recommend a series of X-rays or an ultrasound to get a better look at your bones, tendons, and underlying structures in your feet.
How is Achilles Tendonitis Treated?
Whenever possible, Bay Area Foot Care uses conservative methods of treatment to provide relief from Achilles tendonitis.
Depending on your symptoms, you may need physical therapy, shoe gear modifications, custom orthotics, or activity modifications and anti-inflammatory measures.
Bay Area Foot Care also offers the Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Therapy Laser. MLS Laser Therapy uses various light wavelengths to relieve inflammation and promote cellular production and growth. If your pain persists even after conservative measures of care, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Don’t let Achilles tendonitis negatively impact your quality of life. Make an appointment at Bay Area Foot Care by calling the office nearest you or clicking the online booking tool today.
