Tendonitis is a fairly common affliction that is caused by inflammation of a tendon. A tendon is a cord that attaches a bone to a muscle. There are tendons throughout your body, and tendonitis can occur in many different areas.
The most common locations for tendonitis to develop include the thumb, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and the Achilles’ tendon. The Achilles’ tendon is located on the back of the foot; it attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone.
What Causes Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is usually caused by repetitive action, or over exertion of the affected area. This repetitive action may involve minor impact that, when done repeatedly, causes inflammation.
Many sports and hobbies can lead to tendonitis, including gardening, painting, golf, or tennis. The failure to properly stretch before activity can also increase the odds of developing tendonitis.
You are also more likely to develop tendonitis as you get older. With age, tendons become less elastic and are less able to tolerate stress.
Symptoms of Tendonitis
Tendonitis causes symptoms including pain and tenderness in the affected area. There may also be mild swelling.
Avoiding Tendonitis
You can help to avoid tendonitis by taking some precautions. When you exercise or perform other active hobbies, stretch first.
Start out slowly, and gradually increase your activity level. Use a minimal amount of force, and avoid repetitive motions.
If you experience pain, stop and do something different. You can try the activity again later and see how your body responds.
Tendonitis Treatment Options
There are several courses of treatment available for tendonitis. The initial treatment plan typically includes resting the affected area and stopping the activities that exacerbated the condition.
It is often recommended to apply ice to the affected area and doctors may also recommend taking anti-inflammatory medications. If these steps do not improve your condition, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment options.
Steroid injections may be given at the site of the pain. The steroid injection reduces inflammation in the tendon, which helps to quickly relieve pain.
Your doctor might also recommend that you go for physical therapy treatments. In physical therapy, you will perform a variety of stretching and range of motion exercises. The physical therapist may also apply a splint to the affected area.
Surgery can be performed as a last resort if other treatment options are not effective.
Achilles Tendonitis
If you have Achilles Tendonitis, you may experience pain in your heel and along the length of the tendon (up the back of the calf) while you are walking or running. You may experience stiffness or pain in that area when you first get up in the morning.
Achilles tendonitis can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that do not provide proper support. Wearing proper footwear can reduce your symptoms. Choose shoes that provide cushioning under the heel area, along with a slightly elevated heel, to reduce discomfort. Using heel lifts in your existing shoes may also be of help. It is important that the shoe fits so that it keeps the ankle stable, while also minimizing irritation to the back of the heel area.
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
If you have Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, you may experience pain or swelling along the length of the tendon (along the inside of your foot in the arch area & up the inside of your ankle) while you are walking or running – this is usually a result of over pronation.
Posterior Tibial tendonitis can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that do not provide proper support. Wearing proper footwear can reduce your symptoms. Choose shoes that provide strong support around the heel area, along with strong support at the midfoot area. Also make sure that the shoe closes snugly around the foot for additional support – ankle boots may offer additional support for this condition.
Visit a specialised comfort footwear store in your area to be properly fitted for shoes and also look into how having custom inserts made for you, may help to improve your Achilles or Posterior Tibial tendonitis.
If you have either of these condtions, you can visit Foot Solutions. We know that you don’t want to give up your hobbies or activities because you have tendonitis, and you don’t want to suffer, either.
We can make you comfortable again by providing you with the proper, supportive footwear that you need and we can also provide custom inserts that support & protect your feet so that you can continue with all of your favorite activities.
Check the Foot Solutions store in your area today to find out about all of the options available to you.
