Your Achilles tendon connects your heel bone to your calf. When it is overly stressed, you risk getting Achilles tendonitis, the main cause behind Achilles tendon pain. If left untreated for long, it can lead to Achilles tendon rapture.
The good news is you can never run out of options when in dire need of the best Achilles tendonitis treatment option. Among the most notable ones include rest, physical therapy and supportive shoes. You may need surgery if the symptoms fail to go away. Having said that, here are a few things you should know about Achilles tendonitis.
Symptoms and Causes
It is important to note that Achilles tendonitis symptoms affect the back part of your lower leg above your heel. You might notice heel pain and ankle pain, stiffness or tenderness in your tendon, leg weakness, and swelling around your Achilles tendon. Moreover, you may notice more discomfort after you’re active or the day after exercising, as you climb stairs or go uphill, in the morning, with improvement throughout the day.
But what brings about Achilles tendonitis? With Achilles tendonitis, overuse of your Achilles tendon leads to swelling, irritation, and inflammation. You can get Achilles tendonitis by being active on your feet. It is mostly related to a specific injury, usually due to stressing your tendon repeatedly.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and recent activity. They will then perform a physical examination and try finding any signs of Achilles tendonitis or Achilles tendon rupture. Furthermore, your healthcare provider will check your range of motion and look for signs of bone spurs.
Your provider can often diagnose Achilles tendonitis based on the physical exam alone. However, you may need imaging to show the condition’s details or severity. Imaging exams may include X-ray, Ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging, and Computed tomography.
What about the best Achilles tendonitis treatment option? Your healthcare provider will first recommend nonsurgical treatment. It may take a few months for the pain to get better, more so if you’ve already had symptoms for a few months.
Nonsurgical Achilles tendonitis treatment includes the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method. You need to stop doing activities that stress your tendon and put ice on your tendon for up to 20 minutes, as needed throughout the day. Compress, or put pressure on, your tendon using an athletic wrap or surgical tape.
