Tendonitis Treatment in Edina and Burnsville, MN
Treat Long-term Ankle Pain
Tendonitis Q&A
What is tendinitis?
Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons — tough connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. The foot and ankle have several tendons, but the one most likely to suffer tendinitis is the Achilles tendon.
The Achilles tendon (heel cord) is the longest in the body and runs down the back of your lower leg, connecting your calf muscle to your heel bone.
Tendinitis develops when the tissue becomes irritated and inflamed, and this commonly happens because of overuse or repetitive strain. A sudden increase in activity puts too much stress on the tendon, creating microinjuries (tiny tears) in the tendon fibers.
Continued stress prevents your body from repairing the injured tissue, leading to tendinitis.
What are the risk factors for tendinitis?
Athletes have a high risk of tendinitis. It’s also common in people whose jobs involve repeated ankle and foot stress. People who only do weekend sports also have a higher risk of tendinitis.
People with excessive pronation (flattened arches) are more likely to develop tendinitis because of the extra demands flat arches place on the tendons when walking.
What symptoms does tendinitis cause?
Symptoms of tendinitis include:
- Ongoing or recurring pain
- Aching
- Stiffness
- Soreness
- Tenderness
Symptoms can affect any part of the tendon. Pain is often worse after inactivity, eases as you begin moving, and then worsens again if you continue exercising.
Without proper treatment, tendinitis can lead to tendinosis, where the tendon tissues break down. If you have tendinosis, the tendon might become enlarged and develop nodules (small lumps) at the site of the tissue damage.
The Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics team examines your foot and ankle to diagnose tendinitis or tendinosis. They evaluate your range of motion and the condition of the affected tendon. You might need X-rays, an ultrasound, or an MRI so that your doctor can examine the damage in detail.
How is tendinitis treated?
The treatment your Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics doctor recommends for tendinitis or tendinosis will depend on how long you’ve had the injury and the degree of tendon damage.
Tendinitis treatments include:
- Rest
- Applying ice packs
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Stretching exercises
- Custom-fitted orthotics (supportive shoe inserts)
- Steroid injections
- Laser therapy
Most patients recover well using these treatments. If your condition is particularly severe or conservative treatments aren’t working, your doctor might discuss surgery.
