What is Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is an inflammatory injury caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon. Common symptoms include an ache or severe pain above the heel or in the back of the leg, typically after walking, running, or sports activities. A person with Achilles tendonitis might also experience stiffness or tenderness in these areas.
How Long Does Achilles Tendonitis Take to Heal?
Achilles Tendonitis can take anywhere from a month to over a year to heal, or longer if the injury is severe and the patient keeps re-injuring the tendon. The true length of any recovery period will depend on several factors.
- How severe is the tendon injury?
- What stage of tendonitis is the patient experiencing?
- Whether the patient adheres to an appropriate, realistic rehab plan or not.
- Whether or not the injured patient gives themselves time to fully heal (Patience is key).
- Is the patient in good overall health? (Overall health will influence healing time.)
The above variables will impact every individual, regardless of age, weight, or daily activity level. If you’ve recently injured your Achilles tendon, contact our Hyde Park podiatrist today to schedule an appointment and get started on your healing journey.
How Long for Achilles Tendonitis to Heal Without Surgery?
Achilles tendonitis can heal with or without surgery, but whether surgery is necessary will depend on the severity of the injury. When surgical intervention is required, this usually means the injury is extensive, and recovery can be predicted to take longer than if a rehab program was the only treatment necessary.
How to Prevent Achilles Tendonitis
Many people encounter an Achilles tendon injury at some point in their life, especially if they are active or play sports. Some ways to prevent the injury include:
- Stretch Daily
- Warm Up Before Exercising
- Take it Slow When Tackling More Challenging Exercises
- Intersperse High-Impact Activities with Low-Impact Activities
- Increase Activity Level Gradually
- Stop if You Feel Pain
- Wear Supportive Shoes (arch support is essential) & Replace Them When They Wear Out
- Workout Your Calf Muscles (perform exercises such as calf raises)
Whether you are a runner, tennis player, or just like to jog on the weekends, you could suffer an overuse injury. Following the steps listed above can help prevent the development of Achilles tendonitis.
Contact Us – Mitchell Foot & Ankle, P.C.
If you’re struggling with pain in your feet, ankles, or calves, and are concerned it might be Achilles tendonitis, contact our doctors at Mitchell Foot & Ankle, P.C. Our team provides a range of services to help patients eliminate discomfort and live full, healthy lives.
Call us today at (773) 324-3338 to schedule an appointment, or contact us online.