Thursday 26 April 2012

What Is Achilles Tendonitis and How Is It Treated?




If you have Achilles tendonitis, you definitely know something is wrong - this inflammation of the large tendon at the rear of the ankle is a noticeably painful condition that simply can't be ignored. People typically develop Achilles tendonitis through various recreational and/or athletic activities, such as running, jogging or playing sports like basketball and soccer. Some job-related activities can also result in overuse of the Achilles tendon. In any case, the inflammation can be painful, and can even manifest itself with visible swelling. If you don't do something about it, the pain and swelling will return chronically as the tendon continues to degenerate.

How It Develops

As mentioned above, Achilles tendonitis often develops as a result of athletic, job-related or recreational activities. In most cases, it can be traced back to over-pronation or a lack of flexibility, although it can also result from changes in exercise training or new footwear that the body hasn't adjusted to yet. When a long-distance runner ups his or her mileage or adds more hills to his or her weekly workouts, for example, it often leads to this disease. And, unfortunately, it can sometimes come with age, when the body no longer has the flexibility to easily perform the tasks it once did.

How to Tell if You Have Achilles Tendonitis

Pain and swelling behind the ankle where the tendon meets the heel are the two most common symptoms of Achilles tendonitis. Since there is a lot of blood flowing to the tendon at this crucial contact zone, it is more easily damaged by injury and overuse. The pain will typically appear after a period of inactivity, such as after waking up in the morning or after a nap. The pain will also worsen during athletic and recreational activities, even simply jumping up and down.

What is the Treatment

If you're concerned that you might have this disease, you can visit a physician, who will probably send you off for X-rays. In some cases, the physician will also recommend an MRI to check the tendon for possible tears, or to evaluate the patient for the possibility of surgery. In most cases, however, the physician will advise resting and icing before any serious measures like surgery are recommended. Some patients may need crutches to help them keep pressure off the heel for an extended period of time. There are also medications and injections that can help.

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