What is the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is the band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. As this tendon plays an important role in allowing you to walk, stand, and run, injuring it is often debilitating.
What are the common types of injuries to the Achilles tendon?
There are a few kinds of injuries that can occur within the Achilles tendon, ranging from minor to severe:
- Achilles tendon tears and ruptures.
- Achilles tendinitis and peritendinitis
- Achilles tendinosis
- Achilles bursitis
Who is at risk for Achilles tendon injuries?
Though anyone can hurt their Achilles tendon in an accident or fall, some situations make you more susceptible to injury in the area.
You’re an athlete
Not only are you working your tendon more often, but changes in your training schedule or where you play can affect your muscle strain and lead to injury. Excessive training or overstretching can also weaken your Achilles tendon.
Your legs aren’t the same length
Even a minor difference between the length of your legs can cause your body to compensate, placing greater stress on your tendon.
High arches or high heels
Over time, high-heel shoes can shorten your Achilles tendon, increasing your risk of injury. Likewise, people with high-arched feet can also experience more stress on the tendon.
You’re getting older
As you age, your Achilles tendon receives less blood supply than when you were younger. If you’re over 30, you generally have a higher chance of injuring your Achilles tendon.
How are Achilles tendon injuries treated?
For less severe Achilles tendon injuries, Dr. Bloome suggests plenty of rest, followed by strengthening and range-of-mobility exercises to restore movement following recovery. He may provide an orthotic device, such as a cast or boot, to reduce stress on the injury during your day-to-day activities.
More severe injuries to the Achilles tendon may require surgery. Dr. Bloome operates with minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery whenever possible, allowing for a faster recovery.
If you have recurrent pain in your Achilles tendon or you’re having trouble walking, call the offices of Dr. David M. Bloome in Houston to schedule your consultation, or book your appointment online.
