What is the best treatment for achilles tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is a condition that occurs when you injure your biggest tendon on the body, which is the Achilles tendon.
This tendon is usually prone to injury if you often engage in high impact and strenuous exercises like running (You can check out our latest article on best running shoes for Achilles tendonitis).
Furthermore, overlooking this injury makes it worse as it might result in the tendon getting ruptured. Therefore, you must take corrective measures to ensure you treat this injury before it escalates further.
However, what is the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis? This is a question you might be asking yourself.
Therefore, in this article, you will be taken through the treatment options available to help you reduce the swelling and pain typically experienced.
Treatment of Achilles tendonitis
The treatment option the doctor will recommend will depend on how severe your injury is, and this usually differs depending on whether or not you are a professional athlete. Methods used to treat this injury include;
Using pain relief
This involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen, that helps to reduce not only the pain but also the swelling. Nevertheless, if you have any underlying condition such as liver disease, kidney illness, or asthma, first consult your doctor.
Keeping your foot in an elevated position
Having your foot in a high position is also another ideal strategy of treating Achilles tendonitis as it helps reduce the swelling.
Taking enough rest
It would be best if you never ignored the importance of having enough rest when looking to treat Achilles tendonitis. Usually, the amount of rest you need varies depending on how severe your symptoms are at the moment.
For instance, extreme cases of Achilles tendonitis might require you only to reduce your workout intensity, but in critical situations, on the other hand, you might need to take complete rest for days or weeks in some cases.
Taking adequate rest allows your Achilles tendon injury enough time to heal without being exposed to any pressure.
Using ice packs
The application of ice packs to the Achilles tendon is also another excellent way of treating the pain associated with Achilles tendonitis.
These ice packs help reduce the degree of inflammation as well as the pain experienced, thereby helping you better deal with this condition.
Use of orthotic gadgets and compression badges
Using shoe inserts and ankle supports is also another remarkable way of dealing with Achilles tendonitis injury. These aids help you to recover since they take away the pressure from the Achilles tendon.
They do this by lifting the heal hence moving your foot away from the shoe’s back, consequently helping you deal with insertional Achilles tendinitis.
Injection of steroids
This is also another way used to deal with the pain associated with injury to the Achilles tendon.
An excellent example of a steroid used is cortisone, which is often used if you stand a higher risk of rupturing your tendon. However, by taking an injection and then using ultrasound to scan the area might help minimize the risk of rupturing.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
The use of high-energy shockwaves helps fuel the healing process. Nonetheless, the results of this method to treat Achilles tendonitis have not been consistent, but it is worth the try.
Surgery
This treatment option should only be opted for if you have sustained a severe injury to your Achilles tendon.
Therefore, if you have experienced continuous pain for six months or more, consider getting a surgery, with the most common being the gastrocnemius recession.
This procedure entails prolonging one of the muscles making up the calf, thereby providing the muscles with a broad range of motion.
Conclusion
