Doubleview Podiatry

 

Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Perth, Scarborough

There’s no need to suffer in silence – we aim to have you walking on sunshine in no time.
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What is Achilles Tendonitis?

Tendons join our muscles to our bones and are designed to transfer load between these two structures. The Achilles tendon is the largest in our body; it joins the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone and is, therefore, essential for most weight-bearing activities (such as walking and running).

Sometimes referred to as Achilles tendinopathy, tendonitis is a term that encompasses inflammation of the Achilles tendon. While it’s typically capable of withstanding a significant amount of stress, dysfunction may occur when the tendon is overloaded with activity (such as running and jumping).

What Are the Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis?

Many patients report a gradual onset of pain and inflammation in the Achilles tendon area rather than a specific injury.

Symptoms to look out for include:

  • Generalised calf, ankle, or heel pain.
  • Pain that increases when you load the tendon (ie walk).
  • Tendon pain that is present before, during, or after activity (depending on the severity of the dysfunction).
  • Pain and stiffness when you first get up in the morning or after a long period of rest.
  • Tenderness, redness, warmth, and/or swelling.
  • A crunchy sound or feeling when the affected area is moved.
  • Lumps within the tendon (in chronic cases).

While anyone may be affected by Achilles tendinopathy, it’s a more common issue for people who participate in running or stop-start sports (such as tennis and netball). It affects both men and women but seems to be more common in men over the age of 30. People of above-average weight are also more at risk of developing a tendon injury.

What Are the Causes of Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendinopathy is an overuse condition that may be caused by a number of contributing factors, including:

  • A sudden increase in workout regime and intensity (such as going from running on flat surfaces to hills).
  • A change in running surface (such as going from grass to concrete).
  • Having a collapsed arch, as this may place increased stress on the tendon.
  • Tight or weak lower limb muscles (such as the calf and hamstring).
  • A poorly functioning foot, which may cause the heel to shift outwards and the tendon to ‘bow’.
  • Wearing unsupportive footwear (specifically low-set heels), especially while training or doing sport.
  • Inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis).

Whether your Achilles tendon pain has come on over time or is the result of an injury, Doubleview Podiatry aims to have you back on your feet in no time.

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How is Achilles Tendonitis Diagnosed?

The team at Doubleview Podiatry is well-versed in the diagnosis and classification of Achilles tendonitis.

We will begin with a physical examination of the area, pressing around it to determine the exact location of the pain and swelling. We will also likely perform a full biomechanical assessment (which looks at the range of motion of your lower limbs) and gait analysis with our state of the art Zebris Gait Analysis System (the only diagnostic tool of this calibre in Perth).

We may also send you for an x-ray (to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms), ultrasound, or MRI to take a closer look at the area.

Your Achilles Tendonitis Questions Answered

  • What is the difference between tendonitis and tendinosis?

    The word ‘tendonitis’ implies inflammation, which is typically caused by overuse, sudden increases in activity, or improper footwear. ‘Tendinosis’, on the other hand, specifically refers to degeneration of the tendon without significant inflammation (due to ageing, microtrauma, or poor blood supply).

  • Can Achilles tendonitis be prevented?

    While it isn’t possible to completely prevent injuries to the Achilles tendon, there are things you can do to lessen the likelihood. This includes gradually increasing exercise and activity levels, warming up before exercise, stretching your feet and calves regularly, and wearing appropriate footwear.

  • Can I recover from Achilles tendonitis on my own?

    Yes, in many cases it is possible to make a full recovery using at-home treatments (such as resting, keeping the affected foot elevated, applying ice, and stretching). However, this only applies to minor tendon injuries. It is highly recommended that you see a podiatrist to determine the severity of your dysfunction.

  • How long does Achilles tendonitis take to heal?

    This will depend entirely on the severity of your dysfunction. A minor injury (or reactive tendinopathy) may only take a few weeks, whereas a tear in the tendon may take months or even a year to heal. Your podiatrist will be able to provide more information on the expected healing time for your unique situation.

Why Doubleview Podiatry?

30 Years of Experience

Our team of highly qualified podiatrists has more than 30 years experience in the provision of foot care.

Personalised Treatment

Every peoson, and every foot, is different – we craft treatment plans for every patient, based on their specific goals and concerns.

Latest Technology

We’re committed to investing in the latest technologies and treatment methods for giving our patients the best chance of happy, healthy feet.

 

How is Achilles Tendonitis Treated?

There are a number of ways that your podiatrist may choose to treat your Achilles tendonitis, including:

  • Strengthening and stretching exercises, which aim to improve your recovery and help to prevent future flare-ups.
  • Medications (specifically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen), which are often recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Custom orthotics, which may provide the needed support for optimising your foot’s position and reducing excessive stress on the area.
  • Shockwave therapy, which sees high-energy soundwaves applied to the tissue to promote healing via increased blood flow.
  • Dry needling, which may assist in reducing nerve sensitivity and restoring normal function to the area.
  • Surgery, which is only required if the Achilles tendon has ruptured and needs to be reattached or if all other conservative treatment options for tendon dysrepair have failed.

Ultimately, the treatment plan that your podiatrist suggests will depend on your individual needs, as well as the severity and cause of your Achilles tendinopathy.

A Podiatrist is the Best Point of Call for Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Perth

If you suspect that you have Achilles tendinopathy of some kind, pay our team a visit at Doubleview Podiatry. Keep in mind that an inflamed tendon left untreated may tear or rupture, which may require surgical intervention – so don’t ignore your pain! We use the latest technology to determine the severity of your dysfunction and will create a personalised treatment plan that aims to get you back up and running in no time.

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