Achilles Tendinitis Treatment
Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that involves the inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This occurs mainly because of repetitive or intense strain on the tendon, often caused by running, jumping or other sports activities. Other causes of tendinitis include a bone spur in the back of your heel, or if you have flat feet and don't wear shoes that support your heels well.
Achilles tendinitis treatment typically includes rest and anti-inflammatory drugs. Ice and compression are also effective therapies. If pain is severe, your doctor may recommend a walking boot to give the Achilles tendon a break until it heals.
Icing and Compression
To reduce swelling, use ice on the Achilles tendon for 15 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day. This helps make the inflammation or swelling go down faster. It can also help to prevent additional swelling by reducing the blood flow to the area. You can ice the area before and after activity, as well as during sleep.
Cold treatments have been found to speed up healing of the Achilles tendon by reducing the amount of oxygen needed by the injured tissue. A reusable ice pack, made by placing water in a foam cup, can be used for this purpose. A calf wrap or athletic tape can be placed around the swollen area to compress it.
Exercise and Changing Your Lifestyle
Changes in your activity can ease pain and improve symptoms. Try to run on softer surfaces (such as grass or gravel), or switch to biking or swimming to lessen your stress on the tendon. You can also wear shoes with better cushioning and arch support to take the tension off your tendons.
Physical Exam and Imaging Tests
The diagnosis of Achilles tendinitis is usually based on a thorough medical history and physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will examine your foot and ankle to identify pain or tenderness in and around the tendon. He or she will also check the flexibility, alignment and range of motion of your feet and ankles. If possible, your doctor will also take an X-ray or use ultrasound to visualize soft tissues, such as the Achilles tendon. Click here to get more enlightened about the best Achilles tendinitis treatment.
Your doctor can also do an MRI scan of the Achilles tendon to assess the structure and determine whether there's a tear in the tendon or another injury causing your pain. Your doctor will also check your calf muscle to determine if it's tight or not stretching properly.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can relieve your pain and swelling. These medicines are available over the counter and can be taken with food to avoid stomach upset.
If your pain doesn't improve with these measures, your doctor may suggest injections of platelet-rich plasma or steroids to help the damaged tissue heal. It's important to remember that these injections can weaken your Achilles tendon, so they should be given carefully and with caution.
Surgery
In rare cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to repair an Achilles tendon that has torn. This can be done in the office or in an outpatient setting. If you want to know more about this topic, then click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles_tendinitis.