Achilles Tendonitis Causes Severe Heel Pain

Your ability to walk, run, jump and even stand is highly dependent on the proper functioning of your Achilles tendon, which is the largest tendon in your body. When you have an injury to this tendon, which connects your heel to your calf muscle, the resulting pain and discomfort can be debilitating to the point of total immobility. This condition is called Achilles tendonitis.

The Achilles tendon often becomes inflamed, swollen, and tender from repetitive stress and the pressure of overuse, requiring immediate attention to avoid a worsening of symptoms and to speed the recovery process.

Achilles tendonitis is common in runners, dancers, and other athletes who perform repetitive motions and creates stress that can combine to severely overload the tendon. Stretching or completely breaking this tendon often happens when the intensity of a particular exercise is rapidly increased or decreased.

Ignoring the initial symptoms that may be present when the Achilles tendon problem is first noticed, and continuing to perform the exercise that caused it can rapidly increase the severity of the condition.

Treatments for Achilles Tendonitis

 There are many therapies available to treat Achilles tendonitis including the following:

●      Rest the affected foot

●      Hot and cold compress therapy

●      Compression and elevation

●      Physical therapy exercises and stretches for the heel and calf muscles

●      Custom orthotics

●      Low-impact activities like swimming

●      A severely damaged or torn Achilles tendon may require surgery

Don’t allow your tendonitis to worsen. For more expert advice on Achilles tendonitis treatment, we highly recommend that you consult our board-certified podiatrists Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM. With access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, we can assist you with heel pain, ankle sprains, diabetic foot care, toe deformities, nail fungus, and skin problems, among many other conditions. Our practice is conveniently located on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!