Foot & Ankle Tendonitis Treatment in Fort Worth, TX

Understanding Tendonitis

Tendons are tough and flexible bands of tissue that anchor muscles to bone. Tendonitis is one of the most common causes of foot or ankle pain and it occurs due to inflammation  around a tendon. This condition most often is the result of  an overuse injury, but not stretching prior to physical activity or poor form during the acitivy can contribute to the development of tendonitis. Tendonitis is most commonly found in people with tight calf muscles, poor biomechanics (flat feet or high arched feet) and those who wear poorly fitting shoes.

Pain, tenderness, and, occasionally, restricted movement of the muscle attached to the affected tendon are common indicators of tendonitis. Professional treatment is essential to heading off more serious problems, especially when it comes to preventing a ruptured tendon. If you suffer from tendon pain or know someone who is suffering from it, there are surgical and non-surgical options available to relieve the pain.

Types and Symptoms of Tendonitis

There are more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot, but the most commonly affected tendons are the Achilles, posterior tibial, anterior tibial and peroneal. The most common forms of tendonitis that affect the foot and ankle include:

• <strong>Achilles tendonitis</strong>
• Posterior tibial tendonitis
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Flexor tendonitis

Tendon injuries can be acute, meaning they occur suddenly, or they can be chronic and develop over a period of time. Pain is typically dull and aching, but as the condition worsens, patients report sharp, burning, or radiating pain in the foot or ankle. Other symptoms of tendonitis include:

• Stiffness
• Swelling (due to inflammation )
• Weakness
• Tenderness

Diagnosis and Treatment of Tendonitis

Because tendon injuries are sometimes misdiagnosed and typically worsen without proper treatment, prompt evaluation by a physican is advised. The doctor may begin his or her examination by gathering the patient's medical history and asking questions about work and recreation activities that could be contributing factors. Next, the physician will perform a physical exam , looking for pain, instability, swelling, warmth, and weakness.

The goal of tendonitis treatment is to alleviate pain, swelling and dysfunction while also addressing any factors that may be causing the condition. The treatment method your physican may employ depends on the severity of the tendonitis. With foot specific tendonitis, shoe recommendations, arch supports or orthotics and prescription braces are possible treatment options to manage tendonitis. A physican may also offer anti-inflammatory (coritosteroid) medications to reduce anychronic pain, platlet-rich injections, and PRICEMM (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Meds and physical therapy  Modalities). When the condition does not respond to noninvasive treatments, minimally invasive surgical procedures may be necessay. 

If you have been suffering from lingering pain that doesn't seem to heal it might be time to talk to your doctor.  

Request more information about tendonitis treatment today. Call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.