Early Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis That Actually Works

It’s not going away on its own. You don’t need an M.D. after your name to know when your Achilles tendon hurts. But if you’ve been one of those people that have just dealt with pain thinking it will go away, that doesn’t happen. It’s time to listen to that body part that doesn’t care if you over-exercise. This is why we’ve written this blog about early signs of Achilles tendonitis and what to do about it.

The Pain You Ignore Now Can Be Disastrous Later

We get it, you want to work out. You may not want to, but it’s your job, you love it, or you just really need to. However, when pain first starts, that is the time to treat the problem. Instead, you push through the pain. You think it’s no big deal and it will just go away. Wrong. The right time to act is now.

The Good News is Early Treatment Works

If you suspect early Achilles tendonitis, this is a good thing because it means you can resolve it much more easily. The earlier you notice the symptoms, the easier it is to treat. Keep reading to know what to do.

The Causes of Achilles Tendon Pain

The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the heel to the muscles in the back of the leg. When you take a step, run, or even rise up on your toes, that tendon is activated and has to work very hard. It also has to bear a lot of tension, or pulling pressure. The tendon has to stretch to a certain point to allow all that activity to occur. This is why tendonitis, or inflammation, is one of the most common complaints we see.

For a few patients, a tendon disorder can be more complicated or severe, but most people with a painful Achilles tendon first experience symptoms gradually over time. The first warning signs include stiffness in the morning, discomfort during the first mile of a run, which subsides as you warm up, and a more subtle, nagging pain at the back of the heel when walking.

How Age, Ill-Fitting Shoes and Biomechanics Contribute

If you are in your thirties or older, your tendon can start to lose elasticity. Combine that with tight calf muscles, improper running shoes, or biomechanical problems like overpronation or flat feet, and you have a recipe for tendonitis. The same is true for athletes who run or play a sport that requires sudden pivots and accelerations and decelerations of force and power like tennis, basketball, and volleyball.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

In most cases, patients arrive at our office after they have put off treatment for a while. What most people don’t realize is that untreated Achilles tendonitis and related disorders will not go away, but instead get worse. Doing nothing not only means enduring more and more pain, it can also lead to a chronic condition called tendinopathy. This means surgery or months of immobilization.

Tendonitis also has a way of snowballing into other problems if it is not treated. Because you are compensating for the pain in the tendon, you are more likely to overload other parts of the body like the knees, hips, and lower back. Instead of having one sore tendon, you have a whole cascade of aches and pains.

How You Can Treat It Right Now

Achilles tendon pain can be addressed immediately by taking time off, icing the area for 15 to 20 minutes three or four times a day, wrapping it with an elastic wrap, and elevating your foot. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Advil can help reduce the swelling. However, these are not a “magic” pill that will allow you to continue training through the pain. In fact, that is the worst thing you can do.

The real secret to avoiding surgery is working with physical therapists or doing specific rehab exercises at home. We see people every day who have been referred to our office for surgery, but once they commit to a physical therapy regimen, surgery is no longer necessary. Eccentric exercises, when you let your heel drop below the level of a step, is one of the most effective methods of strengthening your Achilles tendon. These are different from regular stretches and work by loading the tendon in a specific way that allows it to heal.

Other exercises that can help, like calf stretches, involve simply standing in front of a wall with one foot in front of the other. Keeping your back heel on the ground and leaning forward stretches out your calf and helps ease the tension on the Achilles tendon.

Shoes Make a Difference

Don’t kid yourself into thinking just any old shoe will work. A lot of times bad shoes are the cause of tendonitis in the first place. If you run, your shoes should have the proper arch support and be relatively new. We don’t mean they have to be the latest and greatest, but they should have a lot of cushion left. If you wear flat shoes all day long at work, consider something that has better arch support or even orthotics.

Don’t be afraid to see a podiatrist or physical therapist to get help with your shoes. Some people need custom orthotics that can help take the stress off their Achilles tendon by correcting their biomechanics.

Your Health Professional Can Help

If you are experiencing persistent pain or swelling in the Achilles tendon area, it is important to seek treatment from a foot and ankle specialist. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s just going to take a few days or not, and early signs of Achilles tendonitis are not normal. Treatment may include custom orthotics or other shoe modifications, physical therapy, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, and rest.

Foot and Ankle Institute Is Here to Help

If it’s been more than a few weeks and you still have Achilles tendon pain, then it’s time to find out what is going on with a foot and ankle specialist. Here at The Foot and Ankle Institute, we can take a look and give you a complete evaluation and treatment plan to get you back on your feet.

FAQs

What causes sudden Achilles tendon pain when running?Sudden Achilles tendon pain when running is typically caused by overtraining, inadequate warm-up, or a sudden increase in intensity or distance. Worn-out shoes and hard running surfaces can also lead to acute symptoms.

How long does Achilles tendonitis take to heal with treatment?With early and proper treatment, most patients see improvement within 6-8 weeks. Complete healing may take 3-6 months depending on the severity of the tendonitis and the individual’s adherence to treatment recommendations.

Can I still exercise with Achilles tendonitis?Yes, low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling can be performed to maintain fitness levels. However, avoid high-impact activities like running, jumping, and any exercises that cause pain until the tendonitis has healed.

What’s the difference between Achilles tendonitis and a rupture?Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation that develops over time, causing pain and swelling. An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear, often felt as a pop, followed by severe pain and inability to bear weight or stand on toes.

Do heel lifts help Achilles tendonitis?Heel lifts can temporarily alleviate stress on the Achilles tendon by reducing its stretch during walking, but they are not a long-term solution. They should be used as part of a broader treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of the tendonitis.