If you are active or an athlete, you have likely had pain or injuries in the foot area. One of the most common injuries is to the Achilles tendon. When you have signs of Achilles tendonitis in Howell, NJ & Brick NJ, it is time to visit The Center for Foot and Ankle Medicine. Dr. Keith Rosenthal is a trusted podiatrist providing specialized care for foot and ankle problems.

What Is Achilles Tendonitis?

 Named after a Greek god, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Runners often overwork this tendon due to repetitive motion. Such overuse and repetitive stress can create inflammation in the tendon, causing swelling or pain in the back of the heel. The tendon may become thicker, tender, and warmer over time, making it harder to move and flex the foot at its full range.

What Are Common Causes?

 Warming up is essential for extreme physical activity, such as exercise or running. A sudden burst of intensity in your exercise routine without warming up can stress various body parts, such as your tendons. Certain activities like tennis and basketball often incorporate swift and sudden movements. Such swift movement can create a tear or stress in the Achilles.

Be aware of the type of shoes you are wearing. Whether it's the wrong athletic footwear or casual shoes, it can affect the overall health of your feet and ankles. If you wear high heels or any other ill-fitting shoes for too long, they can create too much pressure on the back of the heel. Running on uneven surfaces can also put too much stress on the tendon.

What Treatment Can Help?

 When you visit Dr. Rosenthal, Dr. Sansone, and Dr. Blutfield to help with Achilles tendonitis in Howell, NJ & Brick NJ, they have several options to soothe your pain and heal the area. The first step is proper rest and compression. You can reduce swelling with regular foot elevation that helps blood circulation and use a compression bandage. Ice packs also help.

If the pain is more severe, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapy can increase your range of foot motion by carefully stretching out the affected tendon. If the tendon becomes torn, doctors may have to do surgery to repair it.

Start healing your foot pain with a consultation at The Center for Foot and Ankle Medicine. Dr. Rosenthal can treat your Achilles tendonitis in Howell, NJ & Brick NJ. Call the Brick, NJ, office at 732-477-0441 and the Howell, NJ, office at 732- 833-2800 today.