Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles Tendinitis Treatment Kansas City, MO


Out of all the injuries and conditions that affect the feet, few of them are as painful and debilitating as tendon injuries. Achilles tendonitis is no exception to that rule and is known to cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Achilles tendonitis occurs in the Achilles tendon of the leg, which attaches the calf muscles in the back of your leg to your heel bone. This condition is almost exclusively an overuse injury and results in inflammation of your Achilles tendon. It most commonly occurs in runners, jumpers, hikers, or other athletes who increase their workload too quickly. It’s also common in weekend warriors who try to do too much without adequately strengthening and stretching the Achilles tendon.

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Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis

Pain, tenderness, and stiffness are the most apparent symptoms of Achilles tendonitis. These symptoms will start gradually and increase in intensity as your condition worsens. You’ll feel these symptoms in the back of your leg and directly above your heel.

Causes of Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendonitis is caused by doing too much physical activity without being properly warmed up and prepared. You’re meant to slowly build up and strengthen the muscles and tendons in your legs. For example, if you’re used to running three miles at a time but decide to jump straight to 10 miles, you’ll likely develop Achilles tendonitis.

Other activities such as stair-running, hiking, or anything that involves any amount of walking, running, or jumping that you’re not used to can cause Achilles tendonitis.

Treatment Options for Achilles Tendinitis

A combination of home remedies, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy are usually enough to treat Achilles tendonitis. Ice, compression, elevation, and rest combined with ibuprofen, Advil, or Aleve takes care of most cases. Other non-surgical treatment options such as physical therapy, exercises, and orthotic devices are also helpful for more severe cases.

If none of these measures work, your orthopedic physician will advise minimally invasive surgery to repair your damaged Achilles tendon. However, the professionals at Ortho of KC always opt for the path of least resistance first before jumping straight to surgery.

Achilles Tendinitis Doctors

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, please contact Orthopedic Health of Kansas City and make an appointment with one of our Kansas City ankle and foot specialists. They will perform a complete examination, diagnosing and ultimately treating any problem. From simple physical therapy to complicated surgery, you’re in good hands with Orthopedic Health of Kansas City and we will do what it takes to get you active again.