Irrespective of being young or old, a weekend warrior or pro athlete, everybody seems to have a natural desire to push themselves to achieve more than they can. Though aiming for optimal athletic performance is a commendable trait, it could occasionally lead to injury. One of the prevalent sports-related injuries is tendonitis. Though it may strike persons of all ages, it often develops as you age because of reduced flexibility in your tendons. Unfortunately, because most signs of tendonitis overlap with other conditions, it can be hard to self-diagnose your condition. So, how could you distinguish tendonitis from just a twisted muscle or poor sleeping posture? Mill Creek tendonitis specialist Nathan Hansen, DPM, discusses some of the early indications of tendonitis. Check out this post to find out more.
- Pain
Pain is the most common symptom of Achilles tendonitis. It could start as moderate soreness or minor sensitivity and grow to full-fledged agony. You can have soreness in the back of your heel that worsens whenever you are active. More often than not, the discomfort caused by Achilles tendonitis worsens the next day after you have done some vigorous exercise.
- Stiffness
In addition to discomfort, stiffness, particularly in the morning, is a common sign of Achilles tendinitis. If stepping from your bed stings your heel, and you hobble instead of walking immediately after waking up, you might have tendonitis.
- Inflammation
Achilles tendonitis develops once your tendon is irritated. Thus, you may also notice symptoms on the exterior. An inflamed Achilles tendon will often remain swollen all through, and you might find that it worsens as the day progresses.
- Tendon Thickening
Significant Achilles tendinitis might alter the girth of your tendon. Typically, your tendon should average 6mm, but continuous swelling or rupture could cause it to expand to about 8 mm or more.
- Bone Spur
Your Achilles tendon goes from your calf muscle all through to the heel bone, making it the most prominent tendon in your body. Injury or swelling could happen anywhere along the course. However, if it occurs in the lower region, a problem known as insertional Achilles tendonitis, your body fibers could crystallize and stiffen. This bony protrusion, referred to as a bone spur, is common in numerous marathoners and sprinters.
How To Treat Achilles Tendonitis?
In most cases, Achilles tendonitis resolves with conservative therapies like immobilization, prescription or over-the-counter anti-swelling drugs, and cold therapy. If the condition has slightly developed, it may necessitate additional attention and care, including physical therapy, overnight splints, and bespoke orthotics to reinforce the supporting structures.
Other available care options include steroid injections and platelet-rich plasma injections. Nonetheless, if your condition is severe or chronic or is coupled with a rupture, surgery might be the most appropriate treatment. If so, you may rely on Dr. Hansen to provide top-quality care, employing cutting-edge technology and techniques.
Any injury or damage to your Achilles tendon could significantly limit your mobility, as well as affect your general life quality. Thus, you must never disregard any warning signs of tendonitis. Dr. Hansen will discuss your symptoms and thoroughly diagnose your condition to develop the best care plan for you. Call the Hansen Foot & Ankle office in Mill Creek, WA, or schedule a consultation online today for expert care for your tendonitis.
