What Are The Symptoms Of Achilles Tendinitis

What are the symptoms of Achilles tendinitis?

The Achilles tendon is the large tendon that connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel. Achilles tendinitis occurs when the calf muscles repeatedly contract hard or suddenly. There are four factors that contribute to Achilles tendinitis:
Shortening of and lack of flexibility in the calf muscle-Achilles tendon unit (the main cause)
Shoes that don't provide good stability and shock absorption for the heel
Sudden inward or outward turning of the heel when striking the ground (this is due to the shape of the foot, an inherited trait)
Running on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt (running hills may contribute further to this factor).
Stop exercising , apply ice twice daily to the tendon, and take a pain reliever with each meal for a week. After that, stretching is the most important treatment. Remember to stretch and hold the stretched position. Do not bounce. And good luck.

What are symptoms of an Achilles tendon tear....or other injury?

For a tendon rupture, the area of the rupture is often swollen, tender, bruised (ecchymotic), and may actually have a palpable gap in the tendon. X-rays, although they do not show the tendon reliably, do show the calcaneus. When doing the x-ray, the physician is checking to see if the bone to which the Achilles tendon attached (calcaneus) has been injured. In some cases, the tendon will not tear; but instead, it will literally pull a piece of calcaneal bone off of the rest of the calcaneus. Although this is repairable, the technique is different then merely sewing the two ends of a ruptured tendon together. If the tendon has not ruptured, then the patient may have sustained only a pulling injury to the tendon. This type of injury results in a stretch injury to the tendon which is called tendonitis. Although this often heals without surgery, until completely healed, the tendon is structurally weaker then normal and is at an increased risk for tearing with continued athletic activity or additional injury producing situations. The most reliable diagnostic study for a suspected rupture of the Achilles' tendon is the Thompson test. This is a test performed during the physical exam. When then test is abnormal, the probability of a ruptured tendon being present is extremely high.

I might have achilles tendonitis?

Hello,

First of all I am sorry that you have this pain, it must be frustrating.

It is difficult to tell exactly what is wrong, it could be a lot of things.

In order to diagnose you better please answer these questions:

1) Do you feel more pain first thing in the morning?
2) What kind of shoes you usually wear?
3) Any relief when you are wearing heeled shoes?
4) Where is the pain located exactly (back/ bottom of the heel)?
5) Are you active in sports?
6) Any redness or swelling?
7) Do you have high or low arches?

Here are a few things you can do right now:

1) Ice your heel at least 4 times a day, either by applying ice directly or rolling it over a frozen bottle.

2) Wear good quality supportive sneakers.

3) Avoid high impact activities (running / jogging) for a few days.

Again, if you can answer my questions I would be happy to assist you further.
You can write to me directly if you prefer, my email is in my Yahoo profile or itaiw@yahoo.com

Feel Better!

Heel pain: Achilles Tendinitis?

Hi everyone.

History: I'm 17 and I've had a history of shin splints on both of my legs since march 2010. I was a distance runner but completely stopped trying to running about november 2010. I started running again towars the 3rd week of april this year.

Symptoms:
I was walking in flip flops when suddenly the back of my ankle, above my heel, on the left foot started hurting. It felt like I pulled something. I couldn't walk normally. It hurt when I walked up and down the stairs, when I put too much weight on it, and when I walk tiptoed. Basically, when i raise my heel up too high while walking, jumping, etc.

Questions:
I'm thinking it's plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinitis. Does anyone know which one?

Are there any ways to make it heal quicker (other than icing)? I'm devastated that I finally started to run, but now I have to stop. My prom (haha) is also in three weeks, and I'd like to wear heels and dance without pain if possible... I've been using an ankle brace, but sometimes I feel like that makes it hurt even more. I'm using this one:
http://origin.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/12d/4/AAAAC-eYSwkAAAAAAS1Khw.jpg?v=1297952475000

Are there stretches i can do to make it heal faster? Or am I not supposed to stretch it until it stops hurting? I'm only experienced in shin and calf rehab...

Also, is there a "neutral" position that I can put my foot at so that I don't strain it even more? For example, when I'm sitting down at school or in front of the computer. Would it be more harsh to let it hang or to let it sit 90 degrees on the ground?


Someone, please inform me. there's no way I can go to a doctor again for running related injuries. My mom will just say to wait it out.

Thank you very much...

Achilles Tendonitis?

A friend has recently complained of pain in the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. He says that he doesn't particularly exercise very much, but walks a few miles per day. He also stated that the pain occurs a few seconds after he starts running, will continue as long as he walks and then will usually die down after 2-3 minutes, however, it has once led to pain when he walks, lasting for about 2 days. There are no bruises or marks on the skin, that he can see. I diagnosed him (I'm not a doctor, by the way) with Achilles tendonitis, however, I don't know very much about it and would like to know any other suggestions as to what it could be and how it could be treated.
If any other information is needed I can post it under additional details, just give me a day to contact him.

Do I have Achilles Tendonitis?

Ouch this sounds very painful and similar to what I had, heel spurs about 6 yrs ago. Man, that was painful and lasted over a year. I went to a foot doctor and got treated for it. They showed me stretches to do and I had to get special shoe inserts made (I put my foot in plaster and they made custom shoe inserts). In a couple weeks the pain was gone.
I'm wondering why your doctors arent able to help you? Maybe go to a foot doctor. This may not go away on its own and its no way to live.
One stretch I remember doing that the doctor recommended was: stand facing the wall and place your hands against the wall. take one leg out behind you about 2 ft behind your other foot and first touch your toes down then slowly lower your heel. you should feel a deep stretch in your shin. Hold it for at least 2 minutes. Repeat on other side. Alternate sides at least 3 times. It takes about 10-15 minutes, its quite time-consuming but the relief from pain is worth it. You need to do this twice a day for 30 days or so. Maybe go online and find heel stretches for heel spurs and you can get some good pictures so you stretch properly. Also, make sure you see a foot specialist who will treat you and not just pinch your foot and cause you pain! thats very odd indeed.
Any shin stretches are good and do them very gently!
Hope u feel better.

I've got achilles tendonitis?

I had achilles tendonitis on my right ankle about three weeks ago. I went to the doctor and I did all the treatment methods to 'heal' the tendon. My ankle got better after two weeks. This week (three weeks since the start), I had an 'amazing race' game around the city organized by my school. We were pretty much on our feet, walking around for a good 4 hours with occasional breaks. When I got home that day, the pain returned to my right ankle, but this time my left ankle started hurting as well. There was also a sharp pain at the arch of my left foot that was there for the past three days. It feels very sore when I walk. Is the pain in the arch of my left foot another problem? The area just below my ankle is also very painful. It feels like there's something 'misplaced' in my left foot. I'm in my early teens and I don't have a loose ankle or anything. Do I have to see a doctor regarding the pain in my ankles and foot? Please help, thank you if you've answered! :) And is there anything I can do to reduce the pain (like any home remedies)?