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Home Tag: "achilles tendon surgery"

Tag: achilles tendon surgery

4Aug
Detailed illustration of Achilles tendon rupture and surrounding ankle muscles.
Achilles tendon tear

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. It connects your calf muscles to the heel bone. Although it is one of the strongest tendons in the body, it is still vulnerable to injuries, especially amongst athletes or individuals partaking in repetitive physical activity. In some instances, significant injuries (or chronic pain to the Achilles tendon) may require Achilles tendon surgery to return you to normal function and relieve pain.

Read More “Achilles Tendon Surgery: What to Expect Before and After”
12Jun
Achilles Tendon
The Achilles tendon is the largest, strongest tendon.

When Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles tendon injury minutes into his debut with the New York Jets, the sports world erupted in debate. Was the unforgiving turf to blame? Or was it bad luck? As your trusted Houston podiatrist, we break down the science, the risks, and what you can do to protect your feet; whether an NFL star or a weekend warrior.

Read More “Why Sport Surface Matters for Achilles Tendon Pain & Injuries”
24Apr
Person holding ankle with red inflammation indicating pain.
Achilles tendonitis can cause heel pain

That feeling when your favorite athlete makes an epic comeback after injury? That could be you. Whether you are a weekend warrior or a serious competitor, recovering from Achilles tendon lengthening surgery or Achilles tendon surgery does not mean your sports days are over—it just means you need a game plan. At Deniel Foot & Ankle Center, we have helped Houston athletes bounce back from Achilles tendon pain and surgery stronger. Let us look at how you can return to your sport safely—and maybe better than before.

Read More “Returning to Sports After Tendon Surgery”
15Apr
Detailed illustration of Achilles tendon rupture and surrounding ankle muscles.
Achilles tendon tear

Did you know the Achilles tendon can handle forces up to 10 times your body weight when you run or jump? But when this powerhouse tendon tightens or causes pain, it can turn everyday movements into a struggle.

If you have been dealing with Achilles tendon pain or have been told you might need Achilles tendon surgery, you probably have questions. What warrants Achilles tendon lengthening surgery? What’s the recovery like? Will you need special shoes afterward?
Let us break it all down.

Read More “Achilles Tendon Lengthening Surgery – When & What to Expect”
Highlighted Achilles tendons showing injury or strain in the lower legs.
20Jul

achillesTendon

Experiencing pain or swelling in the posterior aspect of the ankle is a sign of Achilles tendon disorder. The Achilles tendon is susceptible to damage since it is the largest tendon with a limited supply of blood and subject to a lot of pressure. The two causes of Achilles tendon disorders are increased activity and aging. The onset of the disorder can be gradual or sudden, but either way, the healing process is lengthy. A medical practitioner does a thorough physical examination and medical history for appropriate diagnosis and Achilles tendonitis treatment plan. When the proper treatment is administered, it leads to full recovery.

Achilles tendon pain

Pain associated with the Achilles tendon often begins with mild pain above the heel or back of the leg after an activity such as running. After some time, you might experience more severe pain after prolonged activity. You might also notice stiffness or tenderness in the morning, which vanishes with mild activity. If you are dealing with Achilles tendon pain, you may want to seek help from a foot specialist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

One of the main symptoms of Achilles tendon disorders is the sore Achilles and buildup of pain. Soreness is noticeable a few centimeters above the heel bone. The lower leg can feel weak, stiff, and slow.

Achilles tendon rupture

If you overstretch, the Achilles tendon might partially or completely rupture. If it is an achilles tendon rupture, you might hear a pop sound followed by an immediate sharp pain at the back of the ankle. Your ability to walk will be affected while some people might get well through nonsurgical treatment, a ruptured tendon can be corrected through surgery.

Achilles tendonitis treatment

A prolonged tendon disorder may require long term treatment or surgery. Seeking treatment right away is very important, but it is crucial to follow the doctor’s instructions for quick recovery. It might take a few months to recover fully from surgery.

Some disorders can go away following proper care, but if you continue putting pressure on the tendon it will take longer to heal. It is important to rest, ice, compress and elevate which is the RICE method.

Rest: whenever possible, avoid pressure on your tendons, sit, or sleep, and you might use crutches for long distances. The injury heals faster if no additional strain is put on the tendon.

Ice: apply ice several times for 15 to 20 minutes a day. This reduces inflammation and swelling fast.

Compression: compress the injury by wrapping an athletic tape or bandage or clothing. The wrapping should not be too tight to limit blood flow.

Elevation: to keep the swelling down, raise your foot above your chest when lying down. Use a pillow or a raised surface to achieve this.

Surgery:

If treatment and other interventions are ineffective, the doctor may suggest surgical intervention, especially if the condition worsens. Depending on the severity of the condition, the doctor might recommend a few surgery options.

In case you fear of complications of Achilles tendon disorder due to severe pain, disabling your ability to carry on normal activity you need to visit a doctor. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. Our Houston, TX office can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for treating all foot or ankle related issues.

Detailed illustration of the Achilles tendon connecting calf muscles to the heel.
14Jan

Understanding the Achilles Tendon

The achilles tendon is known to be the largest tendon in your body that extends from calf muscles to the bones of the heel. You can feel it at the back of your ankle and above your heel. To feel the achilles tendon at work, while on your feet, point your toes to the floor and raise the tips of your toes. Injuries to this tendon are often associated with mild or moderate pain or sudden stiffness in that part of the leg. In severe cases of achilles tendon pain, it may be because the tendon is torn or possibly ruptured. 

achilles tendon

Causes of Injuries To The Achilles Tendon

The injury is common if someone is engaging in activities that require quick sprints, slow downs or pivots. Some of these activities are dancing, football, tennis, volleyball, softball, gymnastics, running, etc. Furthermore, repetitive strain of achilles tendon have been known to be a common cause of injury to the achilles tendon.

The achilles tendon connects to the achilles heel. The achilles heel bone can become tender with age and this increases the probability of an injury to the bone or tendon. This scenario is typically more severe for athletes that participate in quick movement sports.

How to prevent a foot injury to the achilles tendon?

To prevent an achilles tendon injury, some measures can be taken:

Daily stretching – It is necessary to stretch the calf muscles and achilles tendon daily to prevent injuries to this part of the leg. This will also improve your flexibility. 

  • Increase activity level slowly – With regular physical activity, the likelihood of experiencing pain from achilles tendon is very slim
  • Strengthen calf muscles – Strong muscles help the calf and achilles tendon to handle sudden stress caused by exercise or similar activities.  
  • Take it easy – Try to keep away from activities that can cause stress to your calf muscles and achilles tendon. Warm-up first before you try any strenuous activity.  
  • Choose shoes carefully – Choose the right shoes when exercising. Choose shoes that have suitable cushioning to reduce stress to your feet. Replace worn-out shoes. Finally, if the shoe is not comfortable, do not use it to exercise. 

Achilles Tendonitis Treatment

If you are dealing with Achilles tendonitis, the following steps can help alleviate the pain:

  1. Rest the injured leg as much as you can and do not put weight on the leg. 
  2. Ice it for at least twenty minutes and also do some stretches to avoid pain from the tendon.
  3. Compress your injured leg with the help of elastic bandages around the lower leg and  ankle to reduce the chances of swelling.
  4. You can take anti-inflammatory medicines which should help with pain and swelling. Take medicine only after consulting with a physician as it is necessary to use the right dosage
  5. While resting, try elevating your leg to get some relief.
  6. Try wearing heel lifts. Heel lifts in shoes give relief from achilles tendonitis pain.