Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a common activity-related injury that usually affects runners and other athletes. At Global Podiatry Partners, Inc. in Arcadia, California, board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons Caitlyn Lee, DPM, AACFAS, and Wenjay Sung, DPM, FACFAS, specialize in diagnosing and treating Achilles tendonitis with safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedures. Call Global Podiatry Partners, Inc. today to schedule treatment for Achilles tendonitis, or book your appointment online. 

Does Achilles tendonitis cause heel pain?

Yes. Achilles tendonitis is one of the leading causes of heel pain. It occurs when your Achilles tendon — a band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your calf muscles –– becomes damaged or inflamed due to overuse or general wear-and-tear. 

Achilles tendonitis often improves with rest, ice, and activity modification, but if your symptoms continue or affect your routine, seek treatment.

What are the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis symptoms include:

• Tight or weak calf muscles
• Heel pain
• Ankle pain
• Leg weakness
• Swelling around your Achilles tendon

These side effects can occur anytime but are particularly common in the morning and after exercise.

How does a podiatrist diagnose Achilles tendonitis?

Your Global Podiatry Partners, Inc. provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they occur, what they feel like, and if certain activities like working out or playing sports make them worse. 

Next, they look at your heel and the back of your ankle, checking for bruising, redness, or swelling. Your provider assesses your ankle’s range of motion and gently presses on your heel, calf, and the back of your foot to identify sensitive areas. 

Most cases of Achilles tendonitis are diagnosed through observation alone. But your podiatrist might order X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI if they suspect an underlying problem, like a heel spur, fracture, or dislocated joint.

How is Achilles tendonitis treated?

The providers at Global Podiatry Partners, Inc. treat Achilles tendonitis using a conservative and minimally invasive approach. They might suggest:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol)
• Wearing support shoes or heel lifts
• Custom orthotics
• Wearing a night splint to stretch your Achilles tendon during sleep
• A walking boot or a walking cast
• Physical therapy

You might benefit from extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). This noninvasive treatment uses high-frequency sound waves to boost your body’s healing process at the cellular level. It increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and triggers the formation of new, healthy tissue.

If your symptoms continue or worsen even after these measures, your podiatrist might recommend minimally invasive surgery.

Several types of surgery can treat Achilles tendonitis. Your provider might suggest lengthening your calf muscles, repairing tendon damage, or surgically removing scar tissue.

Call Global Podiatry Partners, Inc. today to explore the treatments for Achilles tendonitis, or book your appointment online.