How to Find Relief from Achilles Tendinitis

Most people deal with foot pain at some point. That’s because most adults walk 6,000 steps daily on average. Furthermore, approximately one-quarter of the American population has flat feet, and about 6% experience bunions and fallen arches. 

Unfortunately, many people don’t get help for foot problems until the symptoms are too noticeable to ignore, which can make treating them more difficult.

Achilles tendonitis is a common foot condition that affects the Achilles tendon, located at the back of the foot, and managing the pain can be frustrating when it becomes severe. 

To find a way to keep the pain and other symptoms under control, let’s explore more about this foot condition, its causes and signs, and what you can do to get relief.

Dr. Andrew Harrison and our medical staff are dedicated to helping residents of the Lower Pacific Heights area in San Francisco and San Jose, California, with their foot problems, including Achilles tendinitis.

Defining Achilles tendinitis

On the back of your leg, your calf muscles are connected to your heel by your Achilles tendon. Tendinitis occurs when soft tissue becomes inflamed due to injury or disease. 

The type of Achilles tendinitis you have depends on the part of it that experiences pain:

• Noninsertional: swelling or bruising of the middle section of the tendon

• Insertional: the same type of pain and irritation in the lower part of the tendon

Noninsertional tendinopathy is more common in active individuals and athletes (up to 24% of athletes deal with this), while insertional tendinopathy is likely to occur in anyone.  

Causes and symptoms

Overuse and gradual wear-and-tear often lead to this foot condition. Still, several factors can increase the risk, including straining the calf muscles, wearing ill-fitting shoes or high heels, and changes in your exercise regimen without proper adjustment. Other foot conditions, like flat feet, also increase the risk of this soft tissue problem.

Pain in the heel is the primary symptom of this form of tendinitis, but other signs to look for include: 

• Swelling 
• Discomfort 
• Thickening of the tendon 
• Warmth along the tendon or on the heel 
• Limited range of motion 
• Difficulty standing on your toes

Treatment and management

Here are some options for managing and avoiding the pain of this foot problem:

Home care relief

To reduce pain at home, consider getting rest, applying ice to reduce swelling, elevating your foot, using compression bandages, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

Exercise

Exercise can relieve the pain of Achilles tendinitis, including heel drops and calf stretches. Doing these exercises can help improve flexibility and strengthen the tendons.

Wearing the right shoes

Avoid any footwear that is too tight for your feet or forces your toes into awkward positions. Finding the best shoes for your feet can make a significant difference in how comfortable they feel. 

Reduce strenuous activities

This doesn’t mean stopping exercising or slowing down. Instead, it refers to reducing the stress you put on this part of your foot, such as when climbing hills or moving in awkward positions that add extra strain.

We offer a range of options to help when the activities you do at home aren’t enough, such as custom orthotics, physical therapy, activity modifications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids. 

Surgery is also an option if the conservative treatments aren’t effective.

Regardless of why you’re dealing with Achilles tendinitis, make an appointment with Dr. Harrison and our team today to reduce the pain and treat the problem.