The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in your body, connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone and helping you walk, run, jump, and push up on your toes. When this tendon becomes inflamed, usually due to overuse, the pain, swelling, and stiffness can make your favorite activities difficult, if not impossible.

If you suspect you’re suffering from Achilles tendonitis, you’re likely wondering one main thing: How long will it take to heal?

To help you navigate this common injury, our orthopaedic doctors are here to explain everything you need to know about Achilles tendonitis, from its causes and symptoms to the all-important recovery timeline.

What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that develops gradually from repetitive stress on the tendon. The most common triggers include:

• A Sudden Increase in Activity: This could mean suddenly increasing the intensity, duration, or frequency of your runs (e.g., adding hills, speed work, or extra miles) without giving your body time to adapt.
• Tight Calf Muscles: Chronically tight calf muscles) place extra strain on the Achilles tendon with every step.
• Improper Footwear: Running in old, worn-out shoes or footwear that doesn’t provide adequate support for your foot type can contribute to the problem.
• Underlying Foot Mechanics: People with flat feet may find that their Achilles tendon is subjected to more stress.
• Bone Spurs: Sometimes, extra bone growth (a bone spur) can form where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel. This can rub against the tendon, causing irritation and pain.

Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis

The symptoms of Achilles tendonitis typically begin as a mild ache and gradually worsen over time. Be on the lookout for:

• Pain and stiffness, usually felt along the back of the heel or a few inches up the tendon, especially after rest or upon waking up.
• Pain that worsens with activity.
• Swelling and tenderness around the ankle.
• Thickening of the tendon in chronic cases.
• Difficulty flexing the foot or standing on your toes.
• A “creaking” or “crunching” sound or feeling when moving your ankle.

It’s important to note that if you experience a sudden, sharp “pop” or “snap” in the back of your heel, followed by immediate, severe pain and an inability to walk properly, you may have ruptured (torn) your Achilles tendon. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from a trauma care specialist. Visit our urgent orthopedic office or your local emergency department right away.

Treatment Options for Achilles Tendonitis

The good news is that the vast majority of Achilles tendonitis cases can be resolved with conservative, non-surgical treatment. The key is to be patient and diligent.

• Rest: You must stop the high-impact activity that’s causing the pain. However, this doesn’t mean sitting on the couch all day. Switching to low-impact cross-training like swimming or cycling (on low resistance) can maintain fitness without stressing the tendon.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day to help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen can help manage pain and decrease inflammation in the early, acute stages.
• Eccentric Strengthening: This involves strengthening the calf muscle as it lengthens. The most common exercise is the heel drop. Stand on the edge of a step with your heels hanging off, rise up on your toes, then slowly lower one heel (the injured one) down as far as it will comfortably go. A physical therapist can show you the proper form and progression.
• Stretching: Gentle, consistent stretching of the calf muscles can help relieve tension and improve flexibility, reducing the load on the tendon.
• Supportive Measures: Your doctor may recommend a small heel lift for your shoe to temporarily shorten the tendon and reduce strain. They may also suggest supportive footwear or custom orthotics to correct any biomechanical issues.

If these methods don’t provide relief after several months, your orthopedic specialist may discuss other options, such as formal physical therapy, shockwave therapy, or biologic injections. Surgery is typically reserved as a last resort for chronic cases that have failed all other treatments.

The Healing Time for Achilles Tendonitis

So, how long does it take for Achilles tendonitis to heal? The honest answer is: it depends.

The healing timeline for Achilles tendinopathy (the umbrella term for tendon issues) is notoriously slow because tendons have a much poorer blood supply than muscles. On top of this, recovery will depend on the extent of your injury, the specific treatment option you choose, and how well you follow your rehabilitation plan.

With those factors in mind, here’s a general overview of what to expect:

• Mild tendonitis: 2-4 weeks of rest and conservative care may be enough to properly heal from Achilles tendonitis.
• Moderate tendonitis: 6-12 weeks with physical therapy and strengthening exercises.
• Chronic tendonitis or tendon degeneration: 3-6 months or longer, possibly involving regenerative treatments or surgery.

It’s important not to rush your recovery. Returning to intense activity too soon can cause the condition to flare up again, delaying healing even further. Patience, consistency, and professional guidance are key to ensuring long-term success.

Get Back on Your Feet With Premier Orthopaedics

We know how frustrating it is to have pain prevent you from participating in your favorite sports or completing your fitness routine. The good news is that you don’t have to just live with the pain. You can push it out of your life and get back to normal by working with the foot and ankle specialists at Premier Orthopaedics.

Our team will perform a thorough evaluation to confirm your diagnosis, identify the underlying causes of your tendonitis, and create a comprehensive treatment plan customized for you and your lifestyle. We’ll then guide you through rehabilitation and help you return to your activities safely.

If heel pain is threatening to slow you down, schedule a visit with Premier Orthopaedics at one of our many locations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Our orthopaedic and sports medicine doctors are ready to help you up your game.

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What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is the swelling and irritation of a tendon. A tendon is the dense fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. You have tendons all over your body, but the tendons that are especially prone to tendonitis are the wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles. There are various names for tendonitis including:

• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Pitcher’s shoulder
• Swimmer’s shoulder
• Jumper’s knee

Signs of Tendonitis

• A dull aching pain that is especially apparent when moving the affected limb or joint
• Tenderness
• Mild swelling
• Lack of mobility in the affected area

What Causes Tendonitis?

In most cases, tendonitis is caused by repetitive motions, a minor impact on an affected area or from a sudden injury. People typically develop tendonitis from the repetitive motions that their jobs or hobby require.

How is Tendonitis Treated?

Initially, these are the best things to do when you think that you have tendonitis:

• Avoid activities that aggravate the tendon
• Resting the injured area
• Icing the area the day of your injury
• Taking NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and discomfort

If your tendonitis is not getting any better within a week, seeing an orthopedic specialist will allow for a more effective treatment plan. Some things they might suggest are:

• Corticosteroid injections These work best to quickly decrease the inflammation caused by tendonitis which will, in turn, reduce your pain
• Physical Therapy The range-of-motion exercises that a Physical Therapist implements into your treatment plan are beneficial to regain full movement.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma Tendonitis can take a long time to heal on its own. PRP injections can be used in areas of chronic tendon irritation to stimulate the healing process and decrease pain.

How to Prevent Tendonitis.

There are a few lifestyle choices that you can implement to reduce your chances of developing tendonitis. Easing up on activities that put a lot of stress on your tendons, mixing up your exercises if they cause you pain and improving your technique when exercising can all be beneficial. Making sure to stretch before any exercise can improve the range of motion in your joints which minimizes any tight tissue trauma.

If you would like an evaluation, contact our team today at (855) 678-4624, or schedule online here.

The post Recognizing the Signs of Tendonitis and How to Treat it appeared first on Premier Orthopaedics.

Tendonitis is a type of tendinopathy which is a disease of the tendon. A tendon is a tough band of fibrous tissue that works together with the muscle to cause movement. Tendons are found in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. However, tendonitis typically affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.

There are certain types of tendonitis based on the area that is affected. For example, Achilles tendonitis is an injury involving the Achilles tendon. Golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee, pitcher’s shoulder, and tennis elbow are other types of common tendonitis.

There are many causes of tendonitis and each will differ based on what part of the body is affected.

Repetitive and Overuse Injuries: Tendonitis most frequently occurs as the result of the overuse of a specific part of the body. When you perform the same repetitive actions over and over again, the tendons becomes worn out and inflamed. This can be caused by sports, jobs, or even hobbies. Examples of repetitive and overuse injuries include throwing a baseball, swinging a tennis racquet, or frequently reaching overhead.

Sudden and Intense Injuries: If you experience a sudden, intense injury, like a fall or collision, you may develop tendonitis.

While the most common causes of tendonitis include sudden injury and repetitive and overuse injuries, there are other ways that tendonitis can occur. The elderly population is susceptible to developing tendonitis because tendons lose their elasticity as you age. People who have diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes are also more prone to tendonitis.

In some cases, symptoms of tendonitis come on suddenly, while others develop slowly over time. The following symptoms are signs that you may be dealing with tendonitis:

• The area with tendonitis is tender to the touch.
• The pain worsens during movement.
• You’re experiencing the most pain at night
• You describe your pain as a dull ache.
• Your tendon feels like it’s crackling or grating as it moves.
• The affected area is hot and red.
• A lump develops along the tendon.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of tendonitis, it’s important to see your doctor. An inflamed tendon is more susceptible to serious damage such as a rupture. Your physician will perform a physical examination to evaluate your tendon and have X-rays taken.

It’s crucial to reduce inflammation in order to treat the pain caused by tendonitis. Your physician will suggest rest or immobilization of the affected area, application of hot or cold compresses, steroid injections, or nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen in order to reduce pain and inflammation.

Physical therapy is another treatment method that is effective in reducing the pain and swelling of tendonitis. Certain stretches that strengthen muscles and tendons can also help tendons begin to heal and function properly again.

You don’t have to deal with your tendonitis any longer. See your orthopaedic physician for relief and get back to your daily activities.

If you’re planning on having orthopaedic surgery, download our e-book, How to Choose an Orthopaedic Surgeon. This educational guide will equip you with all you need to know when looking for a reputable orthopaedic surgeon.

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