Tendinitis (also spelled tendonitis ) is an inflammation of a tendon, thick cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. A type of tendinitis that affects the feet is insertional Achilles tendinitis , which describes an inflammation of the Achilles tendon where it inserts into the heel bone.
Causes of Tendinitis
- Improper stretching/warming up
- Incorrect form during physical activity
- Injury to the calf
- Overuse of the tendon
- Wearing high heels at work and switching to lower-heeled shoes for workouts
Symptoms of Tendinitis
- Limited movement of your ankle
- Pain when you move your calf, even if you have not sustained an injury
- Swelling in the area
Treatments for Tendinitis
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Applying ice to the area 3-4 times a day, 15 minutes each time
- Custom-made orthotics --NOPA offers more than 150 unique varieties
- Heel lifts
- Physical therapy
- Proper stretching
- Resting your leg and foot
- Surgery to remove the degenerative tissue or to strengthen the tendon attachment to the heel bone
Prevention of Tendinitis
- Continued use of custom-made orthotics
- Gradual increase in physical activity
- Stretches and exercises provided by your doctor