Achilles Tendonitis And Podiatry Treatments
If you are a runner or if you enjoy a sport that involves a great deal of running, then you may find yourself with sport related injury. Achilles tendonitis is one such ailment that can be quite painful. If you feel a great deal of pain along the heel and the lower part of your leg, then it is best to speak with a podiatric sports medicine professional about the pain. Keep reading to learn how the doctor will treat the ailment.
Ankle Brace
There are two types of Achilles tendonitis and the different ailments depend on the location of the tendon issue. These are called insertional and noninsertional tendonitis. The insertion is the point of the tendon that attaches to the calcaneous or heel bone, so the insertional issue affects the lower part of the tendon. Noninsertional ailments affect the middle part of the tendon that does not attach to the bone.
While both insertional and noninsertional tendonitis do differ, they can both be assisted with the stabilization of the ankle. An ankle brace or boot can help with this. These boots can be worn for several hours a day, at night, or all throughout the day, depending on your physicians recommendations.
There are several soft and hard boots or braces that can be purchased, so ask your podiatrist about the best option. Also, work with the professional to learn about the ways that inflammation can be reduced. This may mean elevating your ankle while it is in the boot or taking the boot off to ice the area.
Stretching Exercises
You may notice that your tendonitis condition causes a great deal of tightness across the lower calf and heal area. This is caused by inflammation as well as the tightening of the tendon. To reduce the discomfort, the tendon must be stretched gently. Gentle stretching is necessary to reduce tears since tendons are formed from extremely tough, dense, and fibrous collagen.
Your podiatrist can teach you the best stretching exercises and you will likely be asked to stretch slowly at least three to five times a week. You will likely start with exercises where the toes are bent and pointed forward. As the tendon stretches and gains strength, you may be asked to use some resistance against you foot.
Medications, steroid shots, and even surgery may be required to treat your tendonitis condition. However, in most cases, more conservatives are enough to treat the ailment. For more information, visit websites like http://www.elmhurstpodiatry.com.