Achilles Tendinitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Achilles (ah-KIL-eez) tendinitis (ten-dih-NEYE-tis) is pain and inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun) (redness and swelling) of your Achilles tendon. A tendon is a cord of tough tissue that connects muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is important to treat your Achilles tendinitis and allow it time to heal. If you do not, your Achilles tendon may rupture (tear) or become a long-term problem, possibly needing surgery. Achilles tendinitis is usually caused by overuse or overtraining. This includes adding too much time or distance to your regular workout or doing more uphill running than usual. It may also include overpronation (over-proh-NAY-shun) (your feet roll inward when you walk and run) and wearing poor-fitting athletic shoes.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. If you feel it is not helping, call your caregiver. Do not quit taking it unless your caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• Keep track of what medicines you are taking and when and why you take them. Bring a list of your medicines or the medicine bottles when you see your caregivers. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may help decrease pain and inflammation (swelling). Some NSAIDs may also be used to decrease a high body temperature (fever). This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
  
  
• Steroid injection: If your caregiver gave you a steroid (STER-oid) injection (shot), rest your Achilles tendon according to your caregiver's instructions. Having this injection may cause you to be at higher risk for a weakend or ruptured (torn) Achilles tendon. Rest your Achilles tendon for as long as your caregiver told you to, even if your leg and heel feel better.

How can I help my Achilles tendinitis to heal?

• Rest: The most important part of treating Achilles tendinitis is to rest. Rest may help decrease swelling and keep your tendinitis from getting worse. Your caregiver may tell you to stop your usual training or exercise activities altogether. Your caregiver may tell you to do other forms of exercise while your Achilles tendon heals. You may be able to swim or do other exercises that do not put stress on your Achilles tendon.
  
  
• Ice: Ice causes blood vessels to constrict (get small) which helps decrease inflammation. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag or use a bag of frozen corn or peas. Cover it with a towel. Put this on your Achilles tendon for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times each day. Do this for two to three days or until the pain goes away. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you can get frostbite.
  
  
• Heat: After two or three days, you may try using heat to decrease pain and stiffness. Use a hot water bottle, heating pad, whirlpool or warm compress. To make a compress, dip a clean washcloth in warm water. Wring out the extra water and put it on your Achilles tendon 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times each day.
  
  
• Shoe inserts: You may need to wear specially-made orthotics (or-THOT-iks) or over-the-counter inserts in your shoes. These may be rubber, silicone or felt pads for your heel, arch or the entire sole (bottom) of your foot. These may give the control, support or padding that is needed to decrease stress on your Achilles tendon.
  
  
• Stretching and strengthening exercises: You may need to go to physical (FIZ-i-kal) therapy (THER-ah-pee). Physical therapists can help you with special exercises and do treatments to help your tendinitis heal faster. Your caregiver may tell you to do stretches and special exercises at home. Stretching and making certain muscles stronger may help decrease stress on your Achilles tendon.
  
  
• Taping or casting: You may need to wrap special tape around your heel and back of the leg. You may need to wear a cast, brace or special "boot". These may help to support and decrease stress on your Achilles tendon while it heals.

How can I help prevent Achilles tendonitis?

• Wear shoes that fit correctly and support your feet. Replace your running or exercise shoes before the padding or shock absorption is worn out. Shock absorption greatly decreases as the treads on the bottoms or sides of your shoes begin to wear down. Ask your caregiver which exercise shoes, heel inserts or specially-made orthotics are right for you.
  
  
• Start exercising when caregivers say that it is OK. Slowly start your exercise or training program as directed by your caregiver. If you are a runner, you may need to start by running shorter times and distances. Then you can increase your training in time. Continue to do exercises to keep your tendon stretched and leg muscles strong.
  
  
• Stretch before exercising. Always warm up your muscles and stretch gently before exercising. Do cool down exercises when you are finished.
  
  
• Exercise the right way. If you are a runner, increase your time and distance slowly over time. If your tendinitis is caused by the way that you exercise, ask a trainer, coach, or caregiver for help. They can teach you ways to train or exercise to help prevent Achilles tendinitis. Do not run or exercise on surfaces that are very hard, such as asphalt or concrete. Instead, run on softer surfaces such as treadmills, rubber tracks, grass or evenly packed dirt tracks.
  
  
• Use ice after your workouts. Put ice on your Achilles tendon after exercising or if you begin to feel pain. Rest your Achilles tendon. Ask your caregiver if you should take anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs).

Call your caregiver if:

• Your pain and swelling increase.
  
  
• You develop new, unexplained symptoms.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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