Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Specialist Q&A

Achilles’ tendonitis is a common injury that affects the Achilles tendon, typically the result of overuse due to exercise.

The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue found on the back side of the lower half of the leg and connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.

The most common occurrence of injuries to the Achilles tendon, resulting in Achilles’ tendonitis, is found in runners after they have increased either the intensity or duration of their run routines in a sudden manner, as opposed to gradually easing into it.

It is also commonly found in middle-aged people who participate in highly active sports such as tennis or basketball on an occasional basis.

In many cases, Achilles’ tendonitis is easily treatable and doesn’t require surgery, except in extreme cases where the tendon has torn or ruptured.

With proper self-care techniques, future cases of Achilles tendonitis can be prevented by allowing the injury to fully heal and being wary of how the injury occurred in the first place to avoid doing the same thing again.

Every injury is different, as is every person’s recovery time from an injury, including Achilles’ tendonitis.

Your doctor or a specialist in foot and ankle conditions, such as the team at Bay Area Foot and Ankle, can give you a rough estimate on the time it will take for you to heal.

This will be based on the extent and severity of your injury, how old you are, how healthy you are overall and your ability to properly rest the foot and ankle to let it heal.

Typically, Achilles Tendonitis can take anywhere from three to six months to fully heal and allow the patient to go back to their normal activity level.

Depending on the severity of the injury and each person’s activity level, the doctor treating the injury may recommend the patient complete physical therapy as part of their treatment plan to ensure mobility and flexibility are restored, which can help prevent future issues and injuries.

In the majority of cases of Achilles tendonitis, treatment is following a simple plan consisting of the RICE acronym of self-care.

This is a well-known acronym for many types of injuries and breaks down to:

• Rest the injured area. In the case of Achilles tendonitis, this will most likely mean avoiding any type of exercise or physical activity that can stress and strain the Achilles tendon. Patients with severe cases may require a walking boot or the use of crutches.
• Ice the injury to help decrease swelling and pain. Apply ice to the Achilles tendon when you feel pain or after exercising, for about 15 minutes.
• Compression can help stabilize the area to minimize movement of the tendon and reduce swelling. The ankle can be wrapped with an elastic bandage or compression sleeve / sock over the Achilles tendon.
• Elevate the foot so that it is above the heart to help keep swelling down, including at night while you’re sleeping.

Since Achilles tendonitis typically requires rest and time in order to heal properly, it may not require medical attention for treatment.

However, failing to rest the affected foot and ankle can lead to further injury, including a ruptured Achilles tendon.

This can be a very painful injury that may require surgery, adding additional time to the recovery time.

Having an injury like Achilles’ tendonitis that takes a long time to heal can be a frustrating experience, but it is important that it is properly taken care of and given time to rest and heal to avoid future complications and re-injuries.

If you do choose to seek medical attention to confirm the cause of your injury and discuss treatment options, the team at Bay Area Foot and Ankle have extensive experience with Achilles’ tendon injuries. We will be able to properly diagnose the extent of your injury and provide you with a treatment plan to get you back to your normal activities as quickly as possible. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Walnut Creek CA, and Brentwood CA. We serve patients from Walnut Creek CA, Brentwood CA, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Pittsburg CA, Antioch CA, Danville CA, Alamo CA, and Oakley CA.