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By Dr. Kuvent, January 24, 2012 9:41 pm

Oftentimes, people involved in sports want to know how to deal with Achilles tendonitis. It usually happens during running, or other form of workout. It comes in the form of an uncomfortable pain in the ankle and heel area. However, you don’t need to be an athleteto have problems with your Achilles.

How to Deal with Achilles Tendonitis – Causes

Achilles tendonitis is a common medical condition, which occurs due to irritation and inflammation of the tendon on the rear of the ankle. Arthritis and infection can also be underlining causes of Achilles tendonitis.

How to Deal with Achilles Tendonitis – Symptoms

• Weakness or sluggishness in your lower leg
• You might have a bump on your Achilles that is due to swelling
• Lower leg weakness
• Mild pain in the heel and lower leg area when you finish with a sporting activity
• Stiffness and pain upon awakening, that loosens up later in the day
• A popping sound when you try to move your Achilles

How to Deal with Achilles Tendonitis – Diagnosis

Your podiatrist usually diagnoses Achilles tendonitis after a thorough physical examination. This also includes an ultrasound and x-ray.

Your podiatrist will also want to know about any history of other pain you have had in your legs or feet. You will be questioned about the kind of shoes you wear, and any other weaknesses you have had in your legs.

How to Deal with Achilles Tendonitis – Treatment

• R.I.C.E. – The immediate treatment of Achilles tendonitis is rest, ice and elevation of your foot for the first 48 hours after your injury.
• NSAIDs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help to reduce the inflammation and pain. The most common is ibuprofen.
• See a Podiatrist – If the pain is severe and it lasts more than a few days, you need to have it examined by a podiatrist. Performing some First Aid and relieving the immediate pain is good, but trying to self-diagnose your injury can be dangerous. In more severe cases, surgery might be needed.
• Physical Therapy – This includes strengthening and stretching exercises.

How to Deal with Achilles Tendonitis – Prevention

• Warm Up – Before you perform any strenuous activities, such as running, you need to do some light jogging and perform other quick exercises, like jumping jacks. After that, you need to do some good stretching exercises to help loosen up the muscles and tendons.
• Wear Proper Shoes – You need to get a pair of comfortable shoes that are suited for your training. Don’t use everyday walking shoes to do any serious jogging or running. If you are serious about your hobby or sport, you need proper fitting footwear.

Achilles tendonitis can affect everything you do, because it’s necessary to walk around every day. If you begin feeling pain in your Achilles, you should give it some rest. If the pain is persistent, you need to see a podiatrist.

Discover a professional’s way of how to treat Achilles tendonitis. If you are in the Chandler, AZ., you can locate a highly qualified podiatrist, by visiting Advanced Foot Care with Dr. Robert Kuvent, DPM.

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By Dr. Kuvent, August 3, 2009 4:24 am

If you saw the 2004 film Troy, you may have winced at the scene towards the end of the movie where Brad Pitt’s character Achilles has an arrow shot into his heel. Despite his unstoppable presence up to this point, the incident renders him practically helpless, and he soon dies unable to remove the fateful arrow. Most people have at least heard reference to this story from Greek mythology, and an “Achilles Heel” has come to refer to any personal weakness which leaves one weak and vulnerable. The reference is a good one as many people know-for such an inconspicuous part of the body, a damaged Achilles can be truly crippling.

Despite the classic reference, the “Achilles” does not actually refer to the heel at all, but rather to the major tendon behind the ankle which inserts into the heel bone. The problem arises when this tendon becomes inflamed, irritated, or damaged and results in what is called Achilles “tendinitis” or “tendinosis”. This can really mean a lot of different things. The issue may arise from the way the heel rolls when it strikes the ground, which may in turn be related to imbalances within the forefoot. Due to the anatomy of the ankle, the middle portion of the Achilles tendon actually has a rather weak blood supply which can also make the tendon susceptible to injuries.

Achilles tendinitis is actually classified by whether it occurs within the tendon itself or at the insertion site where the tendon meets the heel bone. An injury may manifest in many different ways and include tenderness, swelling, thickening of the tendon, “crackling” sounds, a bony heel bump, or changes in walking patterns. You’d probably be surprised at all the different things that can contribute to Achilles problems. They include overuse, poor training habits, and mechanical imbalances as well as some systemic conditions like elevated cholesterol, the use of certain antibiotic medications, age, the shape of your heel bone, and even certain blood types.

Podiatrists typically address issues of the Achilles by first performing a history and physical. This will likely include some simple exams to rule out muscular causes and get to the bottom of the problem. After this, they may order further diagnostic exams such as X-rays, MRIs, or even ultrasounds. These tests can reveal the extent of the injury and whether there is bony involvement or if the tendon has ruptured. After that, the doctor will discuss with you the treatment options which can vary from simple self-treatment at home to mechanical correction through orthotic inserts to surgical intervention.

The Achilles is the strongest, thickest tendon in the body, and critical to many important functions such as walking. Therefore, it’s important to keep it in good working order, even if you don’t have plans to invade Troy anytime soon.