When Should I See My Doctor About Achilles Tendon Pain?

Tendons are a necessary musculoskeletal tissue that helps joints and bones, and your Achilles tendon (also known as the calcaneal tendon) is the thickest and strongest one you have. Located at the back of your ankle and connected to your lower leg muscles, you use this flexible tissue whenever you walk, run, jump, stand on your tiptoes, or climb stairs.

Because we perform these menial tasks daily, wear and tear on the body part is common. However, several problems can impair your foot, making these basic tasks more challenging. Keeping this tendon healthy means getting a diagnosis and treatment before any problems worsen, so let’s find out when you should get medical help.

Residents of the Fort Worth and Weatherford, Texas area looking for Achilles tendon pain relief can help with Drs. Glen Beede, Gregory Jaryga, and their dedicated staff at Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists.

Causes of achilles tendon pain

The pain in your Achilles tendon can come from several different types of damage to it:

Tendinitis

Inflammation or irritation of the tissue happens in a couple of different ways. When the fibers in the middle of the tendon are inflamed, it’s due to the noninsertional form of the injury, while the insertional type happens in the lower section of it.

Tendinopathy

This is a common overuse condition where the tendon is dealing with chronic stress, which can result from things like being overweight, having hypertension, extended use of steroids, family history, and wearing ill-fitting shoes.

Tear or rupture

When the fibers of the tissue wear down, they’re also at risk of tearing or rupturing, which can lead to the tissue disconnecting from the bone. Signs of either include a popping or snapping noise when you’re injured, pain in the back of the leg or heel, swelling and stiffness in this area, and walking difficulty.

When to get help

The RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injury) can often help manage minor issues. However, pain usually means having the tendon looked at, especially if it’s sudden and intense and accompanied by warmth and swelling. This could indicate a severe tear or rupture, which needs to be diagnosed quickly so we can treat it properly. 

The options for treating the problem depend on its severity and include immobilization and foot support devices, splints, orthotics, cortisone shots, physical therapy, and, if necessary, surgery. Night splints, shoes that fit and support the foot, and strength and stretching exercises can also help reduce the risk of Achilles tendon issues.

If you are struggling with Achilles tendon pain, don’t hesitate to contact Drs. Beede, Jaryge, and their team at Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists today to get better.