Tendonitis Specialist
Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates
Biren Shah, DPM
Foot and Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in Rockford, IL
Pain in your Achilles tendon can make even the simplest tasks difficult. As a well-practiced podiatrist, Biren Shah, DPM, of Midwest Foot and Ankle Associates has successfully treated tendonitis many times. If you’re looking for a podiatrist in Rockford, Illinois, to treat your tendonitis, contact Dr. Shah online or over the phone.
Tendonitis Q & A
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis is a condition characterized by inflammation around the tendons. The condition typically causes pain and swelling in the affected area.
Tendons are the thick, cord-like structures that connect muscle to bone. Tendonitis can affect any tendon in your body, but, in your foot and ankle, the condition affects the Achilles tendon most often.
What causes tendonitis?
Tendon inflammation is usually brought on by acute or overuse injury. If you don’t stretch before activity, you may also be more prone to tendonitis.
If you have flat feet or arthritis, you may be more likely to develop tendonitis than someone without those risks.
If you continue walking on your injured foot, your risk for chronic pain and tendon rupture increases. It’s important to make an appointment with Dr. Shah to diagnose, treat, and prevent tendonitis from happening again.
How is tendonitis diagnosed?
Dr. Shah asks details about your pain, the circumstances surrounding it, and what self-care measures you’ve taken to treat it. He also asks about your health, medical history, and current medications.
Next, Dr. Shah performs a physical examination, paying careful attention to your feet and ankles. If he needs to rule out a tendon tear or fracture, Dr. Shah may order X-rays or an MRI.
What treatment options are available for tendonitis?
Treatment for tendonitis usually begins at home with ice and rest. If your pain is severe or persists longer than a week, you should see Dr. Shah.
Dr. Shah provides treatment to both relieve your pain in the short-term and improve your foot health in the long-term.
Relieve pain
Dr. Shah may suggest over-the-counter or prescription pain medication to reduce pain and inflammation. If pain persists, corticosteroid injections provide longer-lasting pain relief.
Improve foot health
Physical therapy, shoe inserts, and temporary casts help your injury heal and prevent future aggravation. In severe cases, your tendonitis may require surgical repair, but Dr. Shah provides a comprehensive range of effective strategies to help you avoid surgery.
If pain in your Achilles tendon lasts longer than a few days, get in contact with Dr. Shah online or over the phone for an evaluation.