Are You Enduring Pain in Your Heel or Ankle?

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If you are experiencing pain in your heel or ankle, you can be suffering from tendonitis. This condition frequently affects your Achilles tendon, causing symptoms like pain, and can be referred to as Achilles tendonitis. Your calf muscles and heel bone are connected by the Achilles tendon and thus the symptoms. Colorado Springs tendonitis specialists at Feet and Ankle Institute of Colorado can help diagnose your complication to recommend suitable treatment options.

Understanding Achilles Tendonitis

As mentioned earlier, your Achilles tendon is responsible for attaching your calf muscles to your heel bone. This tendon helps you to walk, run, jump, and stand on the balls of your feet. However, the tendon can be affected due to overuse through continuous intense physical activities such as jumping and running, causing painful inflammation, referred to as Achilles tendonitis.

Achille tendonitis can be divided into two categories:

 Insertional Achille tendonitis- Affects your tendon on the lower portion where it is attached to your heel bone. 

Noninsertional Achilles tendonitis- Influences fibers in the middle part of your tendon and is more common in younger people as they are more active.

Why You Might Have Achilles Tendonitis

As mentioned earlier, tendonitis occurs mainly due to overuse of the Achilles tendon due to vigorous and repetitive physical activity. However, other unrelated exercise factors can also cause this complication. The following are some reasons why you might have tendonitis:

  • Exercising without a proper warm-up.
  • Engaging in sporting activities that require quick stops and change of direction, such as tennis.
  • Straining the calf muscles during repeated physical exercise.
  • Sudden increase in physical activity without rest.
  • Wearing high heels daily or for prolonged periods.
  • Wearing poorly fitting shoes.
  • Having bone spurs, particularly in your heel.
  • Aging as your tendons will weaken with age.

How to Tell You Have Achilles Tendonitis

Several issues can cause pain in your heel or ankle. Therefore, it is good to add more distinguishing factors to understand when you are experiencing the symptoms due to Achilles Tendonitis. The following are other symptoms associated with tendonitis:

  • Swelling or discomfort at the back of your heel.
  • Confined range of motion as you flex your feet.
  • Tight calf muscles.
  • Overly warm skin.

How Achilles Tendonitis Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you have experienced the symptoms related to tendonitis, your doctor will have to diagnose your condition to determine the better treatment option to be used for your situation. Your provider will perform an in-depth evaluation of your symptoms, including physical examination and imaging testing.

With a better understanding of your condition, your provider can recommend the best treatment option to manage your condition effectively. Treatment options can range from home remedies where your provider will work with you to help you improve your situation to surgery. Your Personalized treatment plan can include:

  • Ice therapy.
  • Immobilization.
  • Orthotics.
  • Pain medications.
  • Physical therapy.
  • Night splints.
  • Regenerative medicine.

These procedures aim at limiting your pain and promoting healing of your tendon. However, should the options fail to offer relief, you might require surgical intervention to repair your Achilles tendon.

Do not assume the pain in your heel or ankle, instead, reach out to Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado to get the help you deserve.