Achilles Tendinitis

Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute

Podiatrist and Foot and Ankle Specialist located in Scottsdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ

When you feel excruciating pain in the back of your leg or heel, it’s hard to do anything but stay in bed. For patients suffering from Achilles tendinitis, Marta Riniker, DPM and Jeffrey McAlister, DPM, FACFAS, at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute in Phoenix can help treat your pain with innovative orthopedic procedures like amniotic membrane injections. Call or book an appointment online today to learn more about the treatments Dr. McAlister has to offer.

602-761-7819

Achilles Tendinitis Q & A

What is Achilles tendinitis?

The Achilles tendon, which joins the heel bone to the calf muscles, is the largest tendon in your body. When the tendon is under stress, it becomes inflamed, often causing a flare-up of Achilles tendinitis.

Fortunately, the Achilles tendon does not typically rupture right away from activities like sports or cardio, but microtears can occur over time and make you more susceptible to a major injury.

What causes Achilles tendinitis?

Overexertion is the number one culprit of Achilles tendinitis. Some of the most common causes of this debilitating condition are:

High impact cardio
Jogging, running, and sprinting
Stairs
Overuse
Forgetting to stretch before and after exercise

Most cases of Achilles tendinitis occur in runners who have dramatically increased their mileage or speed in a short period of time.

What symptoms should I look out for?

It’s important to watch out for the warning signs of Achilles tendinitis, as early intervention can mean just taking anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce pain.

Achilles tendinitis symptoms to look out for before your next big race include:

Heel pain or an aching heel
Heel tenderness
Extreme pain after prolonged running or exercise
Stiffness
Swelling
Leg pain
Loss of ankle motion

If these symptoms worsen, make an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. McAlister to find out which treatment option is right for you.

How is Achilles tendinitis treated?

Your treatment plan depends on the severity of your injury. If your Achilles tendon feels inflamed, but not extremely painful, conservative therapies like ice, rest, and doctor-recommended stretches may be enough to reduce your pain and swelling.

However, if the pain in your leg or heel is so severe that you’re having troubles walking, Dr. McAlister may recommend a more complex treatment, such as: