What is Achilles Tendinitis?
Achilles tendinitis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, allowing you to raise up on your toes. It’s located at the back of your ankle, where it joins with your calf muscle.
Tendinitis occurs when there is too much stress placed on this area of your body, causing small tears in the tissue surrounding the tendon. This can lead to swelling and pain in this area as well as stiffness or tightness when trying to move around with any sort of speed or forcefulness (such as running).
Diagnosis of Achilles Tendinitis
To diagnose the condition, your doctor will perform a physical examination. He or she may also order imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans to determine if you have Achilles tendinitis.
Treatment Options for Achilles Tendinitis in Singapore
The treatment options for Achilles tendinitis in Singapore include:
- Non-surgical Options – These include rest, physical therapy and medications.
- Surgical Options – These include arthroscopic surgery or open surgery (which involves an incision).
Non-surgical Treatment Options for Achilles Tendinitis in Singapore
Non-surgical treatment options for Achilles tendinitis in Singapore include:
- Pain Relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can help reduce inflammation, but they do not improve the condition of your Achilles tendon. If you have severe pain and swelling, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications that are taken by mouth or injected into a vein through an IV line. These drugs include corticosteroids such as prednisone and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin or ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol).
Surgical Treatment Options for Achilles Tendinitis in Singapore
- Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that involves fusing the Achilles tendon to the bone. This procedure can be performed using either an open incision or arthroscopic technique. If you’re considering arthrodesis for your Achilles tendinitis, you should know that it has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in studies, but it’s also associated with some risks such as infection and stiffness in the ankle joint.
- Osteotomy involves cutting a piece of bone out of your heel and moving it forward so that it covers part of your Achilles tendon–this reduces stress on this area and helps prevent further damage from occurring over time. Recovery After Achilles Tendinitis Surgery
After the surgery, you must rest your ankle for at least six weeks. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to begin physical therapy exercises. You may be given a brace or cast to wear during this time. The goal of physical therapy is to help strengthen the calf muscles and improve range of motion in your ankle joint.
Physical therapists use several methods to help people recover from Achilles tendinitis surgery:
- Exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles around the affected area (eccentric strengthening)
- Heat treatments
- Ice packs applied directly onto injured tissue
Preventing Achilles Tendinitis
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Avoid high heels and flip flops, which can cause you to over-pronate, or roll your foot inward. This puts extra stress on the Achilles tendon and increases your risk of developing tendonitis.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts more pressure on the tendons in your feet and legs, increasing your risk of developing this condition
Dr Victor Seah is an orthopaedic surgeon whose main area of subspecialty is in are in trauma/fractures and foot and ankle surgeries.
For a comprehensive assessment of your foot and ankle conditions, make an appointment to consult Dr Seah at +65 60258888 now!