Achilles tendinitis happens when the Achilles tendon becomes irritated and inflamed. This tendon, which attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone, helps you walk, jump and carry out other important movements. If your Achilles tendon is overused, it can become damaged or swollen.
Summit Orthopedics’ board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle specialists in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area treat Achilles tendinitis using both nonsurgical and surgical methods. We focus on reducing your pain and helping you return to normal movement.
Types of Achilles Tendinitis
There are two types of Achilles tendinitis, depending on the location of the inflammation.
Noninsertional Achilles Tendinitis
This type of tendinitis affects the middle part of the Achilles tendon, above where it connects to your heel. It happens when the tendon breaks down and small tears develop. This can cause pain and make the middle part of your tendon look puffy and thicker.
Insertional Achilles Tendinitis
This type, which affects the bottom part of the tendon, is frequently caused by tight calf muscles. When the calf muscle tightens, it stresses the Achilles tendon’s connection to the heel. The constant stress can lead to a bone spur on the heel bone.
Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis symptoms, including pain and swelling, usually develop slowly. If you have Achilles tendinitis, you might also notice:
- Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that gets worse when you are active
- Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon, especially when you first wake up in the morning
- Pain on the back of your heel, especially when wearing shoes
- Trouble standing on your toes
What Causes Achilles Tendinitis?
Achilles tendinitis happens from repetitive stress. These risk factors can increase your risk:
- Having bone growth on the back of your heel, also known as Haglund’s deformity
- Having flat feet
- Having tight calf muscles
- Suddenly increasing the distance or intensity of your exercise
- Wearing shoes that do not fit properly
Diagnosing Achilles Tendinitis
To diagnose Achilles tendinitis, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam of your foot and ankle. They will check for swelling and pain and evaluate your range of motion (how much you can move your foot). They may also look for other signs of Achilles tendinitis, such as bone spurs or pain in the middle of the tendon.
Your doctor may also order imaging tests to see if you have Achilles tendinitis. These tests include MRIs, ultrasounds and X-rays.
- MRI: An MRI scan is not always necessary for diagnosis, but it is very helpful if your doctor thinks you might need surgery, as it shows the amount of damage to the tendon.
- Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to quickly check the tendon’s thickness.
- X-rays: These show clear pictures of your bones and can reveal bone spurs on the heel or hardening within the tendon.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Achilles Tendon
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, reduce swelling and prevent the problem from returning. If you have a mild case of Achilles tendinitis, it usually improves without surgery. Your doctor may recommend one of these nonsurgical options:
Activity Changes
The goal is to temporarily reduce your activity level or stop any activities that cause pain. For example, if you’re a regular runner, you may want to try low-impact activities, such as biking or swimming.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help lower your pain and swelling. These medicines can make it easier to start physical therapy.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a key treatment for strengthening the tendon and preventing Achilles tendonitis from coming back. A therapist will guide you through exercises, such as heel drops.
Supportive Devices
Several devices can help your tendon rest and heal. These include:
- Heel lifts, which are small lifts placed inside your shoes that help reduce stress on your Achilles tendon
- Night splints, devices that hold your foot and stretch the calf while you sleep
- Walking boot, cast or brace to keep your tendon from moving and reduce swelling
Surgical Treatment
You may need tendon surgery only if your pain does not improve after six months of nonsurgical care. The type of surgery you have depends on the location and amount of damage to the tendon.
Care for Achilles Tendinitis at Summit Orthopedics
We understand how Achilles tendinitis limits your activity. Our goal is to accurately diagnose your condition and provide the most effective treatment for the quickest recovery.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics foot and ankle expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.