Let’s talk about Achilles tendinitis, a foot condition that can put a hold on your life. People suffering from this experience pain in the back of their heels and above. Overuse of this particular tendon could be the cause of an inflamed achilles tendon.
What is This Condition?
The Achilles tendon at the back of our feet connects the calf muscle to our heel bone. It is the biggest tendon in the human body, and it gets in action when we walk, run, or perform other activities involving the feet. The inflammation occurs in the tendon when we overuse it, the back part of the heel can be observed to see the swelling. People experience pain in walking, tightness in calf muscles, and limited range of motion. Achilles tendon isn’t only of one type:
- Noninsertional: This condition involves small tears in the fibres of the middle portion of your tendon and tends to affect younger adults who are active.
- Insertional: It impacts the lower part of your tendon, which connects to the bony tissue of the heel. Everyone regardless of age and lack of physical activity can be affected by this.
Simple home treatments can help relieve pain and heal Achilles tendinitis.
However, if home treatment doesn’t work, it’s important to contact a healthcare professional. If Achilles tendinitis gets worse, your tendon can even burst. You may need medication or surgery to treat the condition.
Symptoms to Look Out For
The main symptom people might experience while walking or running is distress at the backside of the heel, often accompanied by swelling. Other signs to consider include tightness in the calf muscles, difficulty in standing on toes, warmth around the heel area, and a limited range of motion when flexing the foot.
What Leads to Achilles Tendinitis?
The use of Achilles tendon during exercise is often overused, leading to Achilles tendonitis, whereas the gradual wear and tear due to aging may contribute to this condition. In the elderly population, arthritis can also lead to this problem, especially in those who are between middle age and above.
Other common causes of Achilles tendinitis include:
- exercising without warming up first
- straining the calf muscles during repeated movements
- playing sports, such as tennis, that require quick stops and changes of direction
- running too far, too intensely, or uphill too often
- sudden increase in physical activity without allowing your body to adjust
- wearing old or poorly fitting shoes
- wearing high heels daily or for long periods
Treating Achilles Tendinitis
Many treatments are available for Achilles tendinitis, ranging from home remedies like rest and anti-inflammatory medication to more invasive treatments like steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and surgery.
Here are some other common treatments for Achilles tendinitis:
- reducing your physical activity
- switching to low-impact exercises, such as swimming
- very gently stretching and later strengthening your calf muscles
- icing the area after exercise or when in pain
- elevating your foot to decrease any swelling
- wearing a brace or walking boot to prevent heel movement
- going to physical therapy
- taking anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin (Bufferin) or ibuprofen (Advil), for pain relief
- wearing a shoe with a built-up heel to take tension off your Achilles tendon
One highly effective way to reduce strain on the Achilles tendon is to wear footwear designed with proper arch support and cushioning. Aussie Soles US offers orthopaedic footwear that provides extra comfort and support, particularly in their orthopedic slides & flip flops with arch support. These Australian flip flops are perfect for individuals dealing with Achilles tendinitis, as they help maintain a healthy posture and reduce the impact on the tendon during walking or standing. The structured design of their Australian flip flops also encourages proper foot alignment, alleviating pressure on the heel and Achilles tendon.
Investing in supportive footwear, like those offered by Aussie Soles, can be an essential step in both preventing and treating Achilles tendinitis. Their flip flops with arch support not only promote comfort but also contribute to long-term foot health, especially for individuals prone to foot injuries.
Let’s Conclude:
The acute symptoms of Achilles tendinitis generally fade with a few days of rest and appropriate home treatment. However, some pain may linger for months. Full recovery could take a lot longer if you continue to put pressure on the tendon or don’t change your exercise habits to prevent another injury or rupture.
Tendonitis persists may lead to the transformation of tendon pain into one of its stages, eventually leading to surgery. It is better to stop the condition before it becomes a problem and take proper measures to ensure it does not happen in the first place.
The proper choice of footwear is of great importance when it comes to preventing and treating Achilles tendinitis. Aussie Soles’ range of orthopedic footwear offers a simple yet effective solution, providing superior arch support and reducing strain on the Achilles tendon. Including such types of footwear like Australian flip flops or orthopedic slides from Aussie Soles US into one’s life is helpful as it will minimise chances of occurring tendinitis and hence promote quicker healing among those who are already suffering from it.