Surprisingly, almost one-third of healthcare visits that involve musculoskeletal conditions are related to tendon problems, including tendonitis — when the thick cords that attach your muscles to your bones become inflamed and painful.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain, foot ache, and mobility issues, you may well be suffering from tendonitis. If you notice it specifically in your heel or ankle, it may be Achilles tendonitis.
At South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers, our able and compassionate team of podiatrists treats many conditions, including Achilles tendonitis.
If you come to us with tendonitis pain in your upper or mid-heel, or lower leg/ankle achiness, we thoroughly investigate your specific symptoms and history of pain, and customize a treatment plan that’s sure to bring relief.
In no way do you deserve to live with chronic pain, and we’re here to help.
Achilles tendonitis isn’t something you want to “wait out,” because if it worsens, you risk developing a more serious problem that may require surgery, like a torn, or ruptured, tendon. This tear might be partial or complete. Tendinosis, or tendon degeneration, can also result from untreated tendonitis.
Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel, and it’s critical for pushing off your foot — like when you begin walking or running. It enables you to stand on your tiptoes, as well.
With Achilles tendonitis, we want to catch and treat it earlier rather than later, so you can avoid surgery and even the possibility of long-term disability.
Overuse injuries and repetitive movements at work typically lead to Achilles tendonitis — think high-intensity sports like long-distance running or having to move your feet in certain ways over and over on the job.
Simply getting older or wearing the wrong footwear for a given activity can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, too.
If you struggle with your weight or have another condition, like flat feet, you’re also at higher risk.
The smartest thing you can do if you find yourself in pain and limited in what you can do physically is to visit your South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers podiatrist. We can:
In addition to speaking with you and evaluating you physically, your podiatrist might also order imaging tests, which can reveal more about what’s going on.
Once they’re able to make an accurate and complete diagnosis, your provider can create a treatment plan. They may recommend noninvasive treatments like:
If your podiatrist decides that surgery is needed, they have the ability to reconnect your tendon and even to use donor tissue from another area of your own foot to replace damaged tendon tissue.
No matter what type of treatment you receive for Achilles tendonitis or any other type of tendonitis that affects your foot, we can’t overemphasize how critical it is to resist the temptation to push yourself too far as you recover. Giving in to it can do real damage and undo your hard work, and your podiatrist’s.
Don’t delay getting care for an Achilles tendonitis problem. Call our Belle Glade, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, or Lake Worth, Florida, office today to set up an appointment, or use our convenient online booking tool. We’re available to you in the evening and on weekends as well.
