Is Your Heel Pain Achilles Tendonitis?
How to Tell the Difference.
The Achilles tendon is the thickest, longest, and strongest tendon in your body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, allowing you to point your toes and push off the ground when you walk or run. But because it handles so much force, it is also highly susceptible to injury. And that leads us right into this blog’s topic: Achilles Tendonitis.
This condition is incredibly common among "weekend warriors" and active middle-aged adults, but it can be tricky to spot before it gets worse. Amarillo Foot Specialists explains signs, symptoms, and more below.
How Do I Know If I Have It? (The Checklist)
Achilles tendonitis often gets confused with other heel issues, like plantar fasciitis. However, the symptoms are distinct if you know what to look for.
1. The Location Test: Plantar fasciitis usually causes pain on the bottom of the heel. Achilles tendonitis causes pain along the back of the leg, just above the heel bone.
2. The "Morning Hobble": One of the hallmark signs is severe stiffness and tenderness when you first wake up.
· The tendon tightens overnight, making those first few steps of the day painful.
· Unlike simple muscle soreness, this stiffness is localized specifically to the tendon.
3. The "Warm-Up" Paradox: Achilles tendonitis follows a pattern during activity:
It "warms up" and feels better while you are moving.
The pain returns with a vengeance after you stop and cool down.
4. Visible Swelling: If you look closely at the back of your ankle, the tendon might appear thicker than the other leg, or it may feel warm to the touch.
· You might even feel a "bump" or nodule on the tendon itself.
Why Won't It Just Go Away?
You might be tempted to "push through" the pain, but tendons (unlike muscles) don’t heal rapidly. They have a limited blood supply, which means once they are inflamed from constant abuse or overuse, they need significant help to recover.
Ignoring the warning signs can lead to chronic degeneration or even a rupture.
Treatment: How We Fix It
Every injury is different; we assess the severity to select the best procedure.
Treatment typically involves a combination of:
Active Rest & Immobilization: We may use a brace or cast to keep the heel and tendon still, allowing the tissue to knit back together.
Mechanical Aids: A simple heel lift in your shoe can take the tension off the tendon, providing immediate relief while you walk.
Shockwave Therapy: This is a powerful, non-invasive option that uses sound waves to stimulate blood flow and healing in the damaged tissue.
Physical Therapy: Strengthening the calf muscles is essential to prevent recurrence.
Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication can help manage the acute pain.
While surgery is sometimes needed if symptoms do not improve or if the damage is severe, conservative care is always our first line of defense!
Questions? Concerns? Contact Dr. Brandon Holloway and Dr. Archana Krishnan of Amarillo Foot Specialists, located in Amarillo, TX, at (806) 322-3338 today to schedule a consultation! We look forward to seeing you.