Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis in St. Joseph, Kansas City, Parkville & Platte City, MO
Achilles tendon problems are often the most painful and challenging to manage. Tearing one is about as bad as it gets, but tendonitis is also debilitating. It's caused by the overuse of the tendon, which is the tissue that connects your calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel. Achilles tendonitis is most common in athletes, particularly runners, but can occur in anybody.
Treatment Can Reduce Pain
At Pivotal Foot and Ankle Surgeons, our team of specialists can help manage your Achilles tendonitis in St Joseph, Kansas City, Parkville, and Platte City, MO, using a variety of procedures and treatments. We diagnose your issue with X-rays, ultrasound scans, MRIs, and physical touch to lead our treatment process. These include steps like using:
- Medications to reduce your immediate pain and mitigate inflammation
- Physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the Achilles and avoid stiffness and weakness
- Orthotic devices that elevate the heel and relieve strain to make your recovery a little smoother
- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation to help manage some immediate pain symptoms
- Surgery May Mitigate Severe Symptoms
We try to do what we can to reduce your need for Achilles surgery for tendonitis. However, there comes a time when conservative care simply isn't enough. For example, if your tendonitis leads to tears or severe breaks, we might have to do a surgical repair. As the strongest tendon in your body (and the most frequently severed), the Achilles must stay strong.
We can offer surgeries like percutaneous, open, and mini-open repairs. These try to integrate minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. They focus on fixing the damaged tendon to rebuild strength in your leg. While you might never need surgical therapy for your Achilles, knowing we're available to provide it can ensure you know where to turn for help.