Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis services offered in Henderson, NV & Las Vegas, NV

Achilles tendonitis affects the large tendon at the back of your ankle, causing pain and weakness that often becomes a chronic problem. If you've got symptoms of Achilles tendonitis, the team at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center can help. They offer non-surgical solutions for effective relief of tendon pain and advanced surgery for severely damaged tendons. Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center has offices in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada. Call your nearest location today or book an appointment online.

Achilles Tendonitis Q & A

What is Achilles tendonitis?

Tendonitis is the name for inflammation in a tendon, the tough band of tissue that connects your muscles to your bones. The Achilles tendon affixes the calf muscles to the heel bone, enabling you to walk, run, and jump. It's your biggest tendon, and you can see and feel it at the back of your ankle.

Achilles tendonitis occurs if the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed. Non-insertional Achilles tendonitis is where the damage occurs in the middle portion of the tendon, while insertional Achilles tendonitis refers to an injury in the lower part of the tendon.

What causes Achilles tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury. It may be caused by recurring stress on your Achilles tendon or sudden, excessive strain. These types of injuries typically occur when you push yourself beyond your fitness levels or train too hard.

Suddenly increasing the amount of physical activity you're doing, not exercising regularly, and working out with tight calf muscles are all common triggers for Achilles tendonitis. Other risk factors include:

Having high blood pressure
Wearing unsuitable footwear while exercising
Walking and running on rough ground
Being overweight or obese

The Achilles tendon also gets weaker as you age, so these injuries are more likely to occur in middle-aged and older people.

How is Achilles tendonitis treated?

The Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center team offers a range of effective treatments for Achilles tendonitis.

Physical therapy and the use of targeted exercises help with healing and strengthen your Achilles tendon and other tissues in your leg and foot. Orthotics that you wear in your shoes can be very effective in relieving strain on the Achilles tendon, and you might want to try applying ice packs to reduce inflammation.

If the pain is causing you distress, medications can help — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also reduce inflammation. More advanced treatments for Achilles tendonitis include steroid injections and shockwave therapy.

If the tendon suffers severe damage or you develop tendinosis (chronic degeneration of the tissues), you might require surgery to repair or reconstruct the tendon.

For expert assessment and treatment of your Achilles tendon problems, call Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center today, or book an appointment online.