Are you worried about a possible foot tendon injury?
The most common tendon ruptures are Achilles tendon tears. Males aged 20-39 are the demographic that’s most at risk, followed by females aged 40-59 years. Studies show that participation in sports and recreational activities accounts for 81.9% of all Achilles tendon injuries.
The Achilles tendon, which is a large ligament linking the gastrocnemius and soleus calf muscles to the back of your heel bone, can become inflamed or irritated when overused. If this inflamed sinew is repeatedly stressed it can lead to a foot tendon injury called Achilles tendonitis.
Now, here’s what you can do to treat this condition at home and hopefully prevent its reoccurrence.
Achilles tendonitis treatment
First things first, the main cause of Achilles tendonitis is sports – typically running. So, if you’re feeling pain in the back of your heel and you notice redness, swelling, and inflammation, you need to stop running or immediately halt whatever exercise you’re doing.
Next, you must ice the affected area several times a day for 20 minutes each time until the swelling subsides.
If you’re experiencing pain, you can add anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen to your at-home treatment. Anti-inflammatory creams may also be massaged over the injured tendon after a shower.
If you do not see a change or the tendon continues to hurt after two weeks of this home treatment, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your local podiatrist. (The same is true if you feel a nodule or lump in or around the tender tendon.)
What you can do to avoid foot tendon injury
While treatment is good, what’s even better is taking preventative action to lower the odds of you potentially hurting yourself.
Stretching your calf muscles adequately before starting a workout or sport is key. You want to make sure you’re not exercising on tight taut muscles. Don’t skip out on cooling down your muscles post-workout either.
Additionally, incorporate calf-strengthening exercises into your daily routine to train your tendons. The stronger your tendons, the less force is exerted on them during your running or workout.
Are you worried about a foot or ankle problem?
Do you have any concerns regarding a foot tendon injury? Dr. Lonny Nodelman, a top podiatrist in Northern Virginia, and the team over at District Foot and Ankle are here to help. Request your appointment today.
Looking for more insight? Check out our previous posts:
- Minimally Invasive Joint Clean-Up Cheilectomy Procedure
- How to Prevent and Treat Shin Splints
- Alexandria VA Podiatrist: Plantar Fasciitis A Probable Cause of Persistent Arch Pain
Disclaimer: Any information provided in this blog is not intended to replace medical advice given by qualified professionals.