Achilles tendonitis

Those experiencing Achilles tendonitis may feel dull pain after exercise that increasingly worsens over time. There may be severe pain along the tendon during or following exercise. Sufferers may feel tenderness in the morning in the lower calf or stiffness that will loosen as the area warms up with activity.

Achilles tendonitis can be treated several different ways and depend on the severity of the condition. Rest is the most immediate treatment but anti-inflammatory medication, stretching, message and ultrasound treatments prove helpful. The use of orthoses, more specifically, custom foot orthotics can dramatically improve the condition and prevent future flare ups.

Surgery to heal Achilles tendonitis is an option but should be considered as a treatment of last resort. Surgery will reduce friction between the tendon and its covering sheath which may have built up thick tissue. Also during surgery any tears can be repaired. Recovering from such procedures can be slow and will require rehabilitation to strengthen the area and prevent new injury.

It is very important to use the right shoes as a preventive, which will provide cushion and support during activity. A prescribed custom foot orthotic will change the alignment of misaligned heel bone and greatly reduce the chances of of experiencing Achilles tendonitis. A solid routine of warm up, stretch and cool down is always recommended .

“Richard had stretched his tendon enough to weaken the ankle,” says Dr. Reinhartz. “His ankle was getting weaker and weaker. Left untreated, he would have developed devastating leg, knee, ankle and back changes over the years. But thanks to functional foot orthotics and physical therapy, he’s fine.”

Parents take their children to the dentist to have their teeth checked. Vision and hearing screenings are done in school. But it’s rare for children to have their feet examined, says Dr. Reinhartz.

Yet, a brief screening by an experienced podiatrist using a computerized gait analysis combined with video-motion analysis — the process followed at Footcare Express — can detect problems with the bones of the foot, the surrounding muscles or the way a child is walking — before they become more serious.

“I feel that foot screenings are extremely important for both children and their parents,” says Dr. Reinhartz. “Many children’s gait problems are easily correctable with properly prescribed foot orthotics by a licensed podiatrist.”

The consequences of ignoring a difficulty with the foot vary with the individual and nature of the problem, Dr. Reinhartz says. “An untreated tight Achilles tendon, for example, puts excess pressure on the foot, which eventually can lead to deformities. Other types of foot problems can cause back, hip or knee problems, because the way a person walks affects the whole muscular skeletal system.”

Preventing problems with a functional foot orthotic, a customized device inserted into the shoe to relieve pressure points, support the foot more effectively and assure proper alignment of the feet, ankles, knees and legs — usually lets a child walk, run and play with more energy, while reducing the risk of injuries.

Dr. Reinhartz advises parents to watch for these early warning signs.

* Chronic ankle sprains
* Frequent muscle cramps
* An ankle that turns in when walking
* Knees that turn in or out when walking
* Curly toes or deformed toes
* Clumsiness
* Differences in symmetry between the feet and legs
* A child who wants to be carried
* Abnormal sitting positions
* Family history of foot problems
* Child’s history of foot problems
* Heel pain, especially in children age 8 to 12
* Broken-down heel counters
* Inside or out toe walking
* Frequent fatigue during or after walking
* Persistent pain, swelling, redness, blisters or bunions
* Lateness in starting to walk (12 months or longer)

“Most children don’t complain about their feet,” Dr. Reinhartz says. “So as a parent, you have to be alert for other symptoms and observe whether or not the child exhibits a limp. And if a child starts complaining, you know there’s a problem that requires attention.”

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