Do you play sports? Maybe you’re a weekend warrior who enjoys a long run or a vigorous tennis match on your day off work?
People who play intense sports that require repetitive motions are at risk for a painful condition in the back of the leg called Achilles tendinitis. Their risk increases if they don’t stretch properly or wear proper shoes.
If you suspect you may have Achilles tendinitis, it’s important to consult a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon to get proper treatment before the problem gets worse.
What is Achilles tendinitis and what causes it?
Your Achilles tendon is in the back of your lower leg. It connects your upper calf muscles to the back of your heel bone, and it’s actually the largest tendon in the body. You use your Achilles tendon when you walk, run, climb stairs, jump or stand on the tips of your toes.
“When you overuse your Achilles tendon or suddenly increase the intensity of your exercise workouts, the tendon becomes irritated and inflamed. This is tendinitis, a common overuse injury,” explains Jeffrey Levy, D.O., a fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon with Riverside Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists. “In some people, the tendon actually degenerates and develops microscopic tears – a related condition called Achilles tendinosis.”
Who's at risk?
Anyone can develop Achilles tendinitis. Athletes are most at risk. Other factors that raise your risk include:
- Suddenly increasing the duration of your exercise workouts – especially if you’re performing an activity that involves repetitive motion, such as running or jumping
- Having flat feet or high arches
- Wearing worn out shoes
- Running on slanted surfaces or hard ground
- Performing manual labor that involves repetitive movements with your legs, feet and heels
Signs and symptoms
You may start feeling the pain of Achilles tendinitis right after you wake up in the morning. When you move around, it may feel better, but then it gets worse later as your activity level increases.
Symptoms include:
- Aching pain
- A burning sensation
- Stiffness
- Soreness and tenderness of the tendon
If your tendon has developed tiny tears (Achilles tendinosis), you may also experience:
- Severe pain and difficulty walking
- Enlarged nodules on the back of your leg where the tendon tissue is damaged
To make a diagnosis, a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon will consider your symptoms and lifestyle. The doctor may also order an MRI to examine the extent of wear and tear on the tendon.
Treating Achilles tendinitis without surgery
Most people get relief for Achilles tendinitis with at-home treatments. Dr. Levy suggests some steps that can provide relief:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen)
- Rest and activity limits
- Ice (to reduce swelling and inflammation)
- Contrast baths (alternating between warm and cold water)
- Immobilization
- Stretching
- Heel lifts
Be aware it may take several months for your symptoms to go away completely. And the sooner you seek treatment, the more successful your recovery is likely to be.
If you don’t feel better after several months, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend:
- Professional physical therapy sessions
- Cast or brace to rest the area completely
- Night splints (to keep the Achilles tendon stretched while you sleep)
- An arch support or other custom orthotic devices
- Shock wave therapy (may improve blood flow and encourage the body to repair itself)
- Platelet-rich plasma injections
Will you need surgery for Achilles tendinitis?
Your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon might suggest surgery if you don’t get relief after trying nonsurgical treatments for three to six months.
“During surgery for Achilles tendinitis, we typically cut out the degenerative or diseased tendon. We also repair any tears within the tendon,” explains Dr. Levy. “To help prevent further scarring of the tendon, we’ll probably ask you to move your leg almost immediately after surgery.”
You may need to take a break from your sports or workouts for 3-6 months toheal completely after surgery for tendinitis.
If you have Achilles tendinosis, the more serious issue, your doctor may suggest a procedure that involves transferring another tendon to the heel bone to help strengthen the Achilles tendon and improve blood supply. Your recovery and healing times depend on your age and extent of the injury.
Prevention
To prevent Achilles tendinitis in the future, your foot and ankle surgeon may recommend daily exercises to stretch and strengthen your calf muscles.
To relieve your foot pain – with or without surgery – contact our expert foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons at Riverside.
If you need care for Achilles tendinosis and would like to make an appointment with Dr. Levy, please call 757-534-9988.
