Achilles Tendon

Pain and stiffness in the back of your calf and ankle, down to your heel, limit your mobility. Instead of limping through your day, seek the guidance of the best doctor for Achilles tendonitis in northern New Jersey: Dr. Velimir Petkov of Premier Podiatry in Clifton, NJ. With up-to-date equipment, a friendly staff and years of experience, Dr. Petkov finds the source of your pain and then takes corrective action to get you out of pain and back on track. Call today for an appointment.

Tendons are bands of tough tissue that attach muscles to bone, providing stability and enabling movement. Your Achilles tendon connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone. The leverage provided by this tissue gives you the ability and flexibility to walk, jump and run.

You may be susceptible to Achilles tendon pain as a runner who suddenly increases the length or intensity of your runs. If you’re a weekend athlete, you become more vulnerable to Achilles tendonitis as you reach middle-age. Overuse of or an injury that causes a tear in this band of tissue often requires Achilles tendonitis treatment to correct, which in some cases may mean surgery.

Seek a board-certified Achilles tendon pain doctor in New Jersey. Dr. Velimir Petkov at Premier Podiatry in Clifton, NJ is the best doctor for Achilles tendonitis due to his experience. Whether you need self-care measures or minimally invasive techniques, your treatment also helps prevent further Achilles tendonitis pain.

Risk Factors

Achilles tendonitis is a repetitive motion or stress injury. You place repeated strain on the band of tissue from constant walking, jumping or pushing with your whole body. Running on hard, unforgiving surfaces also weakens the tissue. High-impact activities result in added stress and strain.

Other factors that increase your risk for injuring your Achilles tendon include:

• Gender. Achilles tendonitis more often affects men than women.
• Aging. More incidences of Achilles tendonitis occur as you age.
• Physical characteristics. If you have tight calf muscles or flat arches, you’re more susceptible to Achilles tendon pain.
• Weight gain. If you’ve gained excess weight recently, you’re placing more stress on your Achilles tendon.
• Medications. Certain medications, such as some antibiotics, may increase the likelihood that you’ll experiencing an Achilles tendon rupture.
• Co-existing conditions. Although they don’t seem related, battling high blood pressure or receiving treatment for psoriasis may cause your risk to increase.
• Training options. You’re at a greater risk for developing Achilles tendonitis if you wear improper shoes while training, run primarily on hills or hard surfaces or often exercise in cold temperatures.

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Symptoms that Point to Achilles Tendonitis

When suffering from Achilles tendonitis, you usually notice mild pain, soreness or flexibility issues in the back of your lower leg — especially after exercises that put strain on these muscles and tendons. Your ankle pain and heel pain usually increases after prolonged running, sprinting or even climbing stairs. You may notice stiffness and achiness the first thing in the morning that often declines after minor activity or stretching.

If your pain increases to the point that it impedes your ability to walk, visit an Achilles tendon doctor as soon as you can. Symptoms this severe often indicate a ruptured tendon that requires Achilles tendon repair surgery.

Achilles Tendon Tear Treatment

During your initial visit, your Achilles tendon pain doctor assesses your injury. With state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, Dr. Petkov gives you a physical exam, followed by a digital x-ray, MRI or ultrasound, if appropriate. He offers the most effective treatment options, always starting with the most conservative and least invasive, such as:

• Medications. You may just need over-the-counter pain relievers or stronger prescription painkillers to manage the swelling and pain associated with Achilles tendonitis. This treatment is often accompanied by physical therapy.
• Home treatment. Your Achilles tendonitis treatment may require at-home instructions, including the treatment commonly referred to by the acronym R.I.C.E. — resting to avoid strenuous exercise, icing to reduce swelling and decrease pain, compression using wraps or elastic bandages and elevation to reduce swelling. You may have to wear a specialized boot or crutches to protect your injury.
• Other specialized devices. Orthotics, such as shoe inserts, provide extra cushioning and elevate your heel slightly to relieve pressure.
• Physical therapy. Various exercises strengthen weakened muscles and encourage successful healing. Your therapist discusses alternative methods of exercise and daily activities to help prevent further injury.
• EPAT shockwave therapy. A non-invasive procedure, this technique uses safe shockwaves to encourage your body to heal naturally. It may be the final conservative treatment before turning to surgery.
• Achilles tendon rupture repair. If you’ve torn your Achilles tendon, treatment may require surgical intervention. Achilles tendon repair surgery rebuilds and realigns your torn tissue. Physical therapy usually follows surgery to rebuild compromised muscle and add flexibility.

Preventing Future Injuries

Your Achilles tendon pain doctor in New Jersey helps you prevent injuries in the future through education and conscious attention. To prevent further Achilles tendon damage, he may recommend:

•  Choosing proper footwear and making sure to replace your worn shoes.
• Doing daily stretches and exercises that strengthen your calf muscles.
• Increasing your daily activities and exercise regimen gradually to prevent stress and strain.
• Incorporating multiple exercise options, such as high-impact and low-impact activities, to strengthen different types of muscles evenly.

Your Achilles tendonitis treatment may run several months, depending on the severity of your injury. Patience and perseverance keep you on track to a healthier, pain-free enjoyment of your daily activities and exercise. Contact Premier Podiatry to get out of pain today.

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