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Types of Achilles Tendon Injuries & How to Fix Them

a foot & ankle physician examines an elderly female patients injury on a table.

The Achilles tendon runs from the bones of your heel to your calf muscles and is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. It’s quite common for this tendon to become injured and there are a few different types of injuries that the tendon can sustain.

Tendonitis

This is caused by overuse or damage to the area and results in pain down the back of the leg and the heel. Achilles tendonitis is typically a result of repetitive stress versus a specific injury. Although it may take some time, nonsurgical treatments are usually effective in providing pain relief. Decreasing your activities and allowing yourself to rest is a crucial part of healing. Icing the area and taking NSAIDs are also beneficial for reducing inflammation.

Rupture

An Achilles tendon rupture is a full or partial tear to the tendon. This happens from a sudden injury that causes the tendon to stretch to a breaking point. An Achilles tendon rupture is a common sports injury and is most common in those ages 30 to 40. The telltale sign of an Achilles tendon rupture is a popping sound or sensation in the back of the ankle. Unlike tendonitis, a rupture is a traumatic injury that requires a physician’s attention. We’ve listed some treatments below:

  • Before going to see a physician, following the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method can help to reduce your discomfort
  • Bracing or using a walking cast encourages immobilizing the injured tendon. Your physician does this so that the foot and ankle are flexed downward for the tendon to heal
  • Surgery is often recommended for a torn Achilles tendon when the patient lives an active lifestyle. The physician can stitch the torn ends of the tendon together and then cast the lower leg to allow the tendon to heal
  • Physical Therapy is an important step for regaining strength and mobility in the tendon after an initial treatment plan is determined

Achilles Tendinopathy

The symptoms associated with Achilles tendinopathy are almost identical to tendonitis, but there are some key differences. Tendinopathy is a degeneration of the collagen protein that forms the tendon. There are several ways to reduce your pain, such as the ones suggested for tendonitis, but a combination of home treatment and physical therapy is typically the most successful solution. As with any injury, if do not see any improvement, a physician can help find the correct solution for you.

Does your foot & ankle need some professional attention? Call today and schedule an appointment with Southeast Orthopedic Specialists.

 

Recognizing the Signs of Tendonitis & How to Treat it

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tendonitis causes more than 70,000 people to miss work per year. This is just one of many reasons why it is important to understand the symptoms of tendonitis so that you can avoid not only the pain but the inconvenience it puts on your daily life.

What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is the swelling and irritation of a tendon. A tendon is the dense fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. You have tendons all over your body, but the tendons that are especially prone to tendonitis are the wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles. There are various names for tendonitis including:

  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Pitcher’s shoulder
  • Swimmer’s shoulder
  • Jumper’s knee

Signs of Tendonitis

  • A dull aching pain that is especially apparent when moving the affected limb or joint
  • Tenderness
  • Mild swelling
  • Lack of mobility in the affected area

What Causes Tendonitis?

In most cases, tendonitis is caused by repetitive motions, a minor impact on an affected area or from a sudden injury. People typically develop tendonitis from the repetitive motions that their jobs or hobby require.

How is Tendonitis Treated?

Initially, these are the best things to do when you think that you have tendonitis:

  • Avoid activities that aggravate the tendon
  • Resting the injured area
  • Icing the area the day of your injury
  • Taking NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and discomfort

If your tendonitis is not getting any better within a week, seeing an orthopedic specialist will allow for a more effective treatment plan. Some things they might suggest are:

  • Corticosteroid injections These work best to quickly decrease the inflammation caused by tendonitis which will, in turn, reduce your pain
  • Physical Therapy The range-of-motion exercises that a Physical Therapist implements into your treatment plan are beneficial to regain full movement.
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma Tendonitis can take a long time to heal on its own. PRP injections can be used in areas of chronic tendon irritation to stimulate the healing process and decrease pain.

How to Prevent Tendonitis.

There are a few lifestyle choices that you can implement to reduce your chances of developing tendonitis. Easing up on activities that put a lot of stress on your tendons, mixing up your exercises if they cause you pain and improving your technique when exercising can all be beneficial. Making sure to stretch before any exercise can improve the range of motion in your joints which minimizes any tight tissue trauma.

 

 

 

What Causes Tendonitis and How Is It Treated?

Tendonitis is a condition where a tendon has become inflamed. It can occur in the knee, shoulder, heel, elbow and more. Often, it is cause by an overuse of the tendon or injury. This is why tendonitis is a common sports injury. It’s common in active adults. Some of the most common types of tendonitis are golfer’s elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, tennis elbow and pitcher’s shoulder.

Symptoms and Causes of Tendonitispainful tendonitis in shoulder

Tendonitis symptoms happen at the spot where the tendon is attached to the bone. Symptoms include:

  • Swelling in the tendon that is affected
  • Lump on the affected area
  • Heat and redness at the injured area
  • Crackling feeling when the tendon is moved
  • Gap where the tendon should be

Often, tendonitis happens when a movement is repeated again and again. And if the tendon tears, inflammation is likely to happen. There are several risk factors for tendonitis. Certain types of jobs with repetitive movements can cause it. Tendons start to lose their flexibility with age, which means it’s more likely for them to incur an injury. Sports like baseball, swimming, tennis, golf and running can cause tendonitis. Diabetes also puts one at risk for tendonitis, although it is not fully understood why. Those with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop tendonitis.

Treatment Options for Tendonitis

There are various treatment options for tendonitis. The most common treatment is elevating the area, wrapping it and getting rest. Medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can help reduce the pain. Using an ice pack can also help. Other tendonitis treatment options include ultrasound treatment, electrical treatment, stretching and strengthening exercises and massaging the tissue around the injured tendon. Treatment can be provided by an orthopedic specialist or a physiotherapist.

At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, patients suffering from different causes of tendonitis can be successfully treated by a physiotherapist or an orthopedic specialist. This facility has a team of fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists. It’s a unique facility that provides the diagnosis, treatment and surgery for musculoskeletal conditions. It has a sports medicine team consisting of specialists like trained physical medicine physicians and knee specialists. If you’re suffering from tendonitis, give Southeast Orthopedic Specialists a call today for a one-on-one consultation. It’s the first step toward your recovery. They’ve helped many others and can help you too.

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