21 Jul Treating Your Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis involves the Achilles tendon which attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone, or calcaneus. You use this tendon to jump, walk, run, and stand on the balls of your feet. Continuous, intense physical activity, like running and jumping, can cause painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This is known as Achilles Tendonitis (or tendinitis). Diagnosing the issue, finding the cause, and treating the condition can help you restore previous function and return to doing what you love. The team at Mile High Spine & Pain Center is committed to bringing you the best diagnostic tools and treatments the industry can offer for your needs.
What is Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles Tendonitis is a common condition that affects approximately 100,000 Americans each year. The condition is defined as inflammation (or degeneration) of the achilles tendon sheath from injury, overuse, disease, or advancing age. It is often characterized by the following symptoms:
- Aching and/or burning pain (especially with morning activity) at back of leg near heel
- Pain may improve some at the beginning of activity but worsens as activity continues
- Pain is aggravated by exercise
- Pain onslaught occurs even with less exercise over time
- Achilles tendon will often be enlarged, warm and tender 1-4 inches above heel
- Sometimes pain can be severe enough to make walking difficult
Risk Factors for Achilles Tendonitis
Pinpointing the exact cause of your Achilles Tendonitis can be difficult, but there are certain risk factors that have been identified that can trigger this condition. Sometimes it occurs from a single incident or injury where the tendon is overstressed. More frequently, it is a result from a series of stresses that cause small, micro tears over time. This is an example of overuse injury of the achilles tendon. Achilles Tendonitis can also form in people who are either just beginning an exercise program and are engaging inactive muscles and tendons that have poor flexibility due to prior inactivity. If you are just starting an exercise program, stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually to avoid this condition from occurring. Arthritis in the heel also puts you at greater risk for developing Achilles Tendonitis.
What Are My Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Options?
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society supports certain non-surgical treatment options for the successful treatment of Achilles Tendonitis. If treatment is delayed more than 6 months, it is less likely that a non-surgical treatment option will prove successful so you want to make sure that you seek help immediately when pain begins. Even if your pain has been ongoing for some time, it is recommended that you first try to find treatment that is less invasive than surgery. Give your body ample time to respond to more natural healing measures. Non-surgical treatment methods encouraged by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society and that we provide at Mile High Spine & Pain Center for your ankle and foot pain include:
- Anti-inflammatory injections
- Home-care education: ice, rest, immobilization, reduced activity, contrast baths, stretching and heel lifts
- Physical therapy
- Non-narcotic Pain Management
- Sports injury assessment to help you get back to training as quickly as possible
- Advice on ways to protect your feet with orthopedic inserts and better exercise habits
- Deep tissue massage that can relieve stress while reducing pain in the feet
- Vibration therapy to encourage injuries deep in the foot or ankle to heal
Why Choose Mile High Spine & Pain Center for Treatment Needs?
Mile High Spine & Pain Center uses “state of the art” technology and techniques with non-surgical approaches for treating your spine and joints. Our team is committed to continuing education and training and offers you the most current research and methods for your care. Our multi-disciplinary team utilizes the best of what each has to offer to get you the results you need. Imagine the benefits of a facility that houses medical staff who work with chiropractors, and practitioners of physical therapy to offer you the best of each discipline. Our team will diagnose the cause of your Achilles Tendonitis, prescribe you the treatment you need while controlling your symptoms and restore your previous functionality and mobility.
Call for a Free Achilles Tendonitis Consultation
If you are suffering from ankle and foot pain and believe it may be Achilles Tendonitis, the team at Mile High Spine & Pain Center is ready to help. Mile High Spine & Pain Center provides specialized treatment plans for ankle and foot pain to patients in the Westminster and Broomfield area and can help you understand where your symptoms are coming from and what it will take to improve.
Call (720) 507-0080 today to schedule your free consultation!