Tendinitis is a common but painful foot condition that results from one of your body’s strongest tendons, the Achilles tendon, becoming inflamed from repetitive stress. This discomfort can develop from injuries or repetitive motions, leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain. If tendinitis is not cared for and swelling continues for a long period of time, severe injuries such as a rupture of the tendon can occur.
Who can develop Achilles tendinitis?
Although tendinitis can occur in anyone, it is usually seen in athletes due to their propensity to repeat the same vigorous movements and apply excessive pressure on the Achilles tendon. Older people may also be at higher risk for tendinitis due to their tendons becoming less elastic with age.
Risk factors
Contributing factors include deformities in the feet, ankles or legs and flat feet, all of which put a high amount of pressure on tendons. Other factors include exercising without warming up, damaging your calf muscles, using inadequately-fitting footwear such as high heels, and having bone spurs.
Treatment for this condition includes:
● Using ice to decrease inflammation.
● Physical therapy to stretch the tendon to assist in making it stronger.
● Wearing the appropriate-fitting shoes with ample support to allow for complete healing.
● Non-invasive shockwave therapy
● Custom orthotics to correct abnormal foot function that could be causing strain.
● Tendon rupture surgery may be required to repair a ruptured tendon.
Here at the Foot Care Specialists, PC, located in Quincy (The South Shore, Boston, Metro West area) and Dedham (Boston, Metro West), Massachusetts, our podiatrist, Dr. Marshall L. Lukoff, has proven experience that can help reduce your pain from tendinitis and repair your tendons as needed! So, please make an appointment with our offices by calling and check out our services to dive deeper into how tendinitis can cause significant pain and what you can do to protect your feet’s tendons.