Achilles Tendinitis Treatment in Knoxville
At Apple Healthcare, we specialize in providing advanced Achilles tendinitis treatment in Knoxville. Achilles tendinitis can be a painful condition affecting the back of your lower leg and heel. Our experienced podiatrist offers comprehensive care to help you find relief and get back to your active lifestyle.
Understanding the Condition
Achilles tendinitis is a prevalent condition often resulting from repetitive strain and overuse of the Achilles tendon, the robust band of tissue that links the calf muscles to the heel bone. This condition typically evolves gradually as the stress on the tendon increases, leading to inflammation and irritation.
Key features of Achilles tendinitis
- Pain: Begins as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after physical activities, and can intensify over time.
- Stiffness: Noticeable in the morning or after resting, and may improve with mild activity.
- Swelling: Increases with activity throughout the day and may make the tendon feel tender to the touch.
- Common in athletes: Especially those in running sports or sports with sudden starts and stops.
- Occurs in middle-aged adults: Frequently seen in weekend warriors who engage in sports like tennis or basketball.
Risk Factors
One of the most common causes of Achilles tendinitis that we see is when people increase their activity level too quickly. Endorphins and adrenaline associated with breakthroughs in exercise can block out important pain signals until it’s too late. Following an appropriate, pre-determined exercise plan can help keep you from over-doing it.
- Increasing activity level too quickly
- Running in low-quality or worn out shoes
- Flat feet
- Obesity
- Age / Sex – older and male
Comprehensive Treatment Approach
Our team at Apple Healthcare takes a comprehensive approach to Achilles tendinitis treatment in Knoxville. We begin with a thorough evaluation to assess your symptoms and determine the underlying cause of your condition. From there, we develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
- Rest: Giving your tendon time to heal by avoiding activities that aggravate your symptoms.
- Ice therapy: Applying ice to the affected area to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: Engaging in exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility.
- Orthotic devices: Using shoe inserts or braces to provide support and relieve pressure on the Achilles tendon.
- Medications: Taking over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain and inflammation.
- Biologic treatments: Using concentrated platelets to promote tissue repair and regeneration.
