Irritation and inflammation in your Achilles tendon could mean that you have Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis causes pain and can lead to a bone spur on the back of your heel bone. While this is an injury that most often occurs in athletes who have experienced a recent increase in intensity, it also presents in older people who play sports occasionally.
Achilles Pain
Pain in the heel or back of the foot could be caused by an injury to the Achilles tendon. The most common causes of Achilles pain are Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinosis. Tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, typically caused by a sudden increase in repeated activity. In older adults, Achilles pain may occur when engaging in new-to-the-participant physical activities that might not otherwise cause injuries.
In runners, Achilles pain is often brought on by a dramatic and sudden increase in mileage or intensity. As the Achilles tendon is used beyond its normal capabilities, the tendon becomes inflamed and irritated, resulting in Achilles pain.
Achilles pain can be treated at home with rest and ice. If the condition worsens or doesn’t improve within a few days, seek the advice of a doctor specializing in disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Kleis is a podiatrist in Costa Mesa. He has been providing specialized foot and ankle care to the residents of Orange County and Southern California for more than 25 years. Dr. Kleis is a leader in his field and can help get you back on your feet in no time. Dr. Kleis utilizes the EPAT acoustic wave treatment and low-level laser therapy for tendonitis. He is one of the only doctors in southern California to offer both treatments. These treatments are used by many professional sports teams and have been clinically proven to be some of the most effective treatments for Achille's tendonitis.
Causes of Achilles Tendonitis
Aging is a risk factor for developing Achilles Tendonitis and most often occurs in men. Other foot issues, such as flat feet or fallen arches can also put additional strain on your Achilles tendon, leading to injuries. Carrying extra weight puts more strain on your body, including your Achilles tendon and can lead to injury even when a person is not engaging in particularly intense activity.
Overuse is the most common cause of Achilles tendonitis. The result of injury to the band of tissue connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone, Achilles tendonitis is most often diagnosed in runners who make dramatic, sudden increases in mileage or intensity, or older adults who engage in new sports activities. In serious cases, Achilles tendonitis can lead to tears or ruptures in the Achilles tendon that require surgery to repair.
Achilles Tendonitis Symptoms
Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis often begin with a mild ache in the leg, above the heel. This pain most often occurs immediately after running or other strenuous exercises. After very intense exercise or occasionally after climbing stairs, the pain may be more severe.
If the pain is severe or if you find you are unable to walk at all, seek immediate medical care. You may be experiencing a torn or ruptured Achilles tendon.
Dr. Kleis is a podiatrist in Costa Mesa with more than 25 years of experience treating disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Kleis can diagnose your Achilles tendon pain and develop a treatment plan to return you to full use in no time!
Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
Many times, Achilles tendonitis can be treated at home, under the care of a doctor. However, left untreated or in more serious cases, tendon tears may occur, requiring surgery. Achilles tendonitis can be diagnosed through a doctor's exam. Dr. Kleis may use X-rays to rule out other common injuries or ultrasound to visualize the soft tissues of the tendon.
Dr. Kleis may prescribe treatment that includes pain medications, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or orthotic devices. Dr. Kleis utilizes the EPAT acoustic wave treatment and low-level laser therapy for treating Achilles tendonitis. He is one of the only doctors in Southern California to offer both treatments. These treatments are used by many professional sports teams and have been clinically proven to be some of the most effective treatments for Achille's tendonitis. After utilizing the acoustic wave and laser treatment therapies, surgery is seldom required to treat Achilles tendonitis.
Dr. Kleis is a podiatrist in Costa Mesa with more than 25 years of experience treating disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Kleis utilizes the EPAT acoustic wave treatment and low-level laser therapy for tendonitis. He is one of the only doctors in southern California to offer both treatments. These treatments are used by many professional sports teams and have been clinically proven to be some of the most effective treatments for Achille's tendonitis. Surgery is rarely needed when these two treatments are used.
Preventing Achilles Tendonitis
To prevent the development of Achilles tendonitis, it is a good idea to increase your activity level gradually. Rather than taking up running three miles a day after several years of sitting on the couch, a person would be better off beginning with walking twenty minutes a day and working their way up to a nice run. Rest after activity will allow your Achilles tendon to “cool down” and recover from activity. Stretching your muscles before and after an activity is also a good way to prevent injuries from occurring. Alternating your high-impact activities with lower impact past times is also a good way to allow your body to recover, gain strength, and prevent injury.
Choosing appropriate shoes that fit well and support your foot type is an important part of protecting your body from sports injuries like Achilles tendonitis. Dr. Kleis can help you identify your specific foot type and recommend shoe-wear specific to your needs.
It is also very important to replace worn-out shoes that no longer offer the support that your feet need. Over time, the soles of shoes break down and stop supporting the way they were designed to. How often you need to replace your shoes depends a lot on your activity level. If you are a runner, it is recommended that you replace your shoes every 500 kilometers or so. For less active people, a general rule of thumb is that shoes should be replaced every 8 to 12 months. Better quality shoes will last longer and need to be replaced less often than other shoes.
While Achilles tendonitis is generally a short-lived injury that will heal completely within a few months, you should seek the advice of a doctor if the pain is severe or persists beyond a reasonable time frame. Dr. Kleis can offer a range of treatments for Achilles tendonitis that are non-invasive and can prevent the condition from progressing to Achilles tendinosis.
Achilles Tendinosis
While Achilles tendonitis is a sudden onset condition, Achilles tendinosis is a chronic condition that involves tendon degeneration caused by microscopic tears of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinosis is a thickening of the tendon that may cause pain and limit the patient’s mobility. Because the condition is chronic, rather than acute, treatments aimed at reducing pain and swelling are often not as effective with Achilles tendinosis, which requires other interventions.
The most common treatment for Achilles tendinosis involves the use of orthotic devices to correct the pressure on the Achilles tendon and physical therapy, including specific exercises and stretching. In some cases, surgery is required to repair the damage done to the tendon. Dr. Kleis also utilizes the EPAT acoustic wave treatment and low-level laser therapy for Achilles injuries. He is one of the only doctors in Southern California to offer of these both treatments. Many professional sports teams use these treatments to treat Achilles tendon injuries and they have been clinically proven to be some of the most effective treatments for Achille's tendonitis. Surgery is rarely needed when these two treatments are used.
Diagnosis for Achilles Tendonitis and Tendinosis
Only a doctor can tell the difference between Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis. Many of the symptoms of these two conditions seem the same. However, the treatments for tendinosis differ from that of tendonitis, so differentiating between the two is vital for proper treatment.
Early intervention can prevent long-term damage and get the patient back to full mobility in less time. If you are experiencing heel pain or swelling, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kleis as soon as possible.
Dr. Kleis can diagnose your Achilles tendon injuries by first performing a complete physical exam and a review of your medical history. He may take an X-ray or other imaging tests to evaluate the severity of the condition and rule out other possible injuries.
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment
Once he confirms a diagnosis of Achilles tendonitis or tendinosis, Dr. Kleis will create a personalized treatment plan. Depending on your the specifics of your case, treatment may include:
- Kleis utilizes the EPAT acoustic wave treatment and low-level laser therapy for tendonitis. He is one of the only doctors in southern California to offer both treatments. These treatments are used by many professional sports teams and have been clinically proven to be some of the most effective treatments for Achille's tendonitis. Rarely is surgery needed when these two treatments are used.
- Immobilization with a walking boot
- Custom orthotic devices
- Splints to stretch the Achilles tendon, which are worn at night
- Oral anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy exercises to strengthen and stretch the Achilles tendon
If you suspect you have an Achilles tendon injury, call or book an appointment with Dr. Kleis online today. Call (714) 760-4944.