Achilles Tendonitis Specialist

What is the Achilles tendon?

Your Achilles tendon is your body’s largest tendon, connecting the bottom of your calf muscle to your heel bone. A healthy Achilles tendon is essential for full mobility in your feet, and injuring it makes walking, running, and jumping very difficult and dangerous.

What causes Achilles tendinitis?

Achilles tendinitis is pain and decreased mobility from overusing your Achilles tendon. There are many factors out of your control that increase your risk of Achilles tendinitis, including aging, having flat feet, living with psoriasis, and taking certain medications. It’s also more common in males. However, there are also many preventable causes:

• Suddenly increasing the intensity or length of your running routine
• Playing sports too vigorously or too sporadically
• Engaging too long in any repetitive foot motion
• Wearing worn-out shoes
• Exercising in the cold or on hills
• Letting obesity or tight calf muscles go unchecked

How is Achilles tendinitis diagnosed?

First, Dr. Kazmer performs a physical examination, observing your calf and ankle for signs like swelling. Next, he presses your Achilles tendon and gently tests your foot’s mobility in relation to your pain scale.

Dr. Kazmer usually orders an imaging test like an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to confirm the diagnosis of Achilles tendinitis or a ruptured Achilles tendon.

How is Achilles tendinitis treated?

Treatments for Achilles tendinitis vary by the severity of your injury. Ask Dr. Kazmer which options are right for you:

• Anti-inflammatory and pain medications
• “RICE” (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)
• Physical therapy exercises
• Orthotic shoe inserts such as heel lifts
• Series of shorter and shorter leg/foot casts
• Medical walking boot
• Platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP therapy)
• Surgery for torn or ruptured Achilles tendon

How long is Achilles tendinitis recovery?

The length and difficulty of your recovery from Achilles tendinitis varies with your treatment and how consistently you follow Dr. Kazmer’s instructions.

Through RICE, medications, and PRP therapy, you may recover from minor Achilles tendinitis in 3-6 weeks. If your injury is moderate and you use nonsurgical options like a series of casts, it may take you 6-12 weeks. If you have surgery, expect 4-6 months (including physical therapy and other treatments) until daily activities feel normal, but a year before being close to a full recovery.

Call or book an appointment online for a personalized consultation with Dr. Kazmer as soon as possible to prevent further injury to your Achilles tendon.