Are you suffering bothersome heel pain? One cause is Achilles tendinitis (tendonitis), yet a bone spur or plantar fasciitis are frequent causes as well. However, this health blurb focuses only on the Achilles tendon as the basis for your pain.
Your Achilles tendon spans between your calf muscle and heel. It is a large, strong tendon that plays a major role in propelling you up or forward. Thus, this tendon gets heavy usage when walking, running or jumping.
Achilles tendonitis means your Achilles tendon is inflamed and irritated. The usual cause of this health condition is repetitive stress, in other words overuse. And if you are a sedentary, out of shape older adult who suddenly gets moving considerably more than normal, then your chances for inflaming your Achilles tendon is greater.
The main symptom of Achilles tendinitis is slowly developing heel pain, particularly felt when pushing off that foot. Some of this tendon’s other symptoms are:
- stiffness
- soreness
- tenderness
- swollen or bumpy
- crackles with movement
- feels warm due to inflammation
Achilles tendonitis caused pain might actually feel better when it’s initially put to work, but this relief likely won’t last with increased activity.
Although overuse is a major cause for Achilles tendinitis, there are additional factors that may be partially responsible for your symptoms, like:
- trauma
- arthritis
- overweight
- overpronation
- nearby infection
- poor conditioning
- weak calf muscles
- excessive stair, hill climbing
- wearing inappropriate shoes
- flat or abnormally high arches
- repetitious wearing of high heels shortens Achilles tendon
Achilles tendinitis treatment that’s promptly initiated typically alleviates symptoms quickly. Start by resting and elevating that tendon whenever possible. And refrain from participating in any activity that noticeably worsens symptoms. Because this is an inflammatory condition, OTC anti inflammatory drugs will help ease your symptoms, for instance aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Further supportive treatment include massage and wearing compression bandages.
Should your heel pain symptoms fail to subside, then you may need to try some of these methods to treat your Achilles tendonitis:
- bracing
- crutches
- physical therapy
- foot insert to elevates heel
- heel pads for cushion, support
- walking boot to prevent heel from moving
Ultimately, surgical removal of inflamed tissue from around the tendon may be necessary after conservative treatments prove unsuccessful. Cortisone injection was not listed because it could cause tendon weakness.