Foot Care – Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles Tendon. This tendon allows the muscles in the calf of the leg to attach to the back of our heels.
The Achilles Tendon is a long and thick tendon that moves our foot down so that the toes point to the ground (plantar flexion).
This tendon can become inflamed due to the following causes:
1. Overutilizing it, such as too much running, especially up or downhill.
2. Trauma, such as a kick to the tendon.
3. Shoe or boot pressure, especially when attached to the heel or above.
The most common site of Achilles Tendonitis is at the heel to 4 inches above the heel.
The diagnosis of this problem is made when the following signs are present:
1. Pain in the Achilles Tendon with up and down foot movement at the ankle.
2. Pain in the Achilles Tendon when you squeeze the tendon from side to side. If you cannot move the foot either up or down, or you have intense pain when trying to walk, you may have a tear of the Achilles Tendon, and you should see a doctor immediately.
Also, if you have severe pain in the calf, with or without discolorations of the skin, you may have a blood clot, and this is a medical emergency; see a doctor immediately.
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Last update on 2026-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you do not fall into either of these categories, then try the following suggestions:
Self-treatment should begin immediately after the injury, carefully examining the foot.
1. Make sure that the tendon is not torn through and through. You must see a doctor immediately to repair the tendon if it is severed.
Severe injuries can sever a tendon without a skin laceration being present. Testing involves moving the toes and foot to see if the tendon moves.
If the tendon does not appear to move, it may be severed (comparing the injured tendon and its movement to the same tendon on the uninjured foot may help).
2. If there is extreme swelling and pain (out of proportion to the amount of trauma received), you may have sustained a vascular injury. This type of injury must be seen immediately by a doctor.
If you are not sure, see a doctor.
3. If you have multiple injured areas, see a doctor immediately to prevent excessive swelling and pain.
If the above exam is negative, then you may proceed with self-treatment.
4. The sooner you begin to treat your injury by following “R.I.C.E.,” the better you will feel:
a. Rest is very important. Take off your shoes, get off your feet, and relax.
b. Ice should be applied as soon as possible. Never apply ice to the injured area, as the cold may worsen the pain. Ice should be applied close to the injured site, between the heart and the injury, so that as the blood flows under the ice, it will be cooled.
This cool blood flowing into the injured area will help to reduce the swelling and pain.
Apply the ice, wrapped in a cloth or over an elastic bandage, to the foot for 30 minutes, every 2 hours, for the first three days after an injury. If the ice is uncomfortable or causes increased pain, do not continue to use it and see a doctor.
Do not use ice if you have poor circulation, as this may cause a serious problem.
c. Compression is used to limit swelling and support the injured area.
Compression should be applied to the entire foot, starting at the toes and working back to the ankle.
If applied to the injured area, increased swelling will occur in the front and behind the wrapping.
Compression should be applied with a 3-inch elastic bandage, beginning around all the toes and then around the foot and ankle.
Compression reduces motion in the injured area and foot, decreasing the pain and allowing for quicker healing.
The bandage should not be so tight that it causes increased pain or throbbing in the toes or foot. It should be comfortable!
Do not remove the elastic bandage for the first 12 hours unless it becomes too tight, the pain increases, or the toes become pale, blue, or cool. If any of these happen, immediately remove all bandages and leave them off for several hours.
The normal color and temperature of the toes should return immediately. If not, see a doctor immediately!
Continue until the swelling and pain subside; it could take several days to weeks.
d. Elevation of the leg will aid in reducing swelling and pain.
Blood rushes to an injured area to increase blood cells, aiding in healing. Gravity will also force blood into the injured area.
Too many cells and fluid will pressure the injured nerves and tissues and cause increased pain and delayed healing. Keep your foot elevated so it is at least parallel to the ground or higher if it is comfortable.
Do this for at least 48 hours, or until the throbbing subsides, when you lower the leg.
5. Healing will occur more quickly if there is no pressure on the injured tendon and the foot is at least partially immobilized.
Podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons use the following three medical products to help heal the Achilles Tendon:
a. Removable Cast Boot or CAM Walker
b. Achilles Heel Guard
c. Custom-Made Orthotics
Custom-made orthotics help cure chronic Achilles Tendonitis and prevent its recurrence.
Air Walker-High Walker
This device immobilizes the leg, ankle, and foot just as a below-the-knee plaster cast would; however, unlike a plaster cast, this cast boot can be removed and is very comfortable.
It extends from just below the knee to the toes. It allows the injured person to stand and walk while protecting the Achilles Tendon and allowing it to “rest and heal,” thus keeping you mobile and active while reducing pain.
The cast boot/walker’s outer shell comprises sturdy fiberglass and thermoplastic materials.
The inside is well padded with thick, durable foam rubber encased in a comfortable sleeve designed to fit and protect the foot and leg.
The inner sleeve can be easily removed and washed, keeping the cast boot/walker clean and fresh. The boot/walker is kept in place by well-padded velcro straps.
It will last for years and can be worn on either foot/leg, allowing you to re-use it for future injuries such as ankle sprains, foot sprains, toe fractures, etc.
The Achilles Heel Guard relieves all pressure and friction from the back of the heel and the lower portion of the Achilles Tendon, even when you are wearing a shoe. It also applies mild and comfortable compression to the tendon.
This will reduce swelling and support the tendon, allowing it to heal more quickly. This product reduces pain and healing time.
It prevents your shoe from irritating the painful area!
Podiatrists and orthopedic specialists use this product more than any other to comfortably protect the back of the heel and the lower portion of the Achilles Tendon from shoe pressure and friction. It is the only product that protects these areas without slipping.
It comprises a comfortable elastic sleeve with a long-lasting gel cushion designed to absorb pressure and friction rather than allowing these forces to “work” on the skin and soft tissue.
The gel cushion is thin enough to fit any shoe, yet it is durable and will provide comfort for many months. The entire guard is washable, including the gel cushion.
The circumference of your ankle determines size. This is measured with a tape measure placed around the ankle.
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Last update on 2026-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Custom-made orthotics: If your Achilles Tendonitis improves but never completely subsides, or, if you have recurring episodes of Achilles Tendonitis, then you will benefit from custom-made orthotics.
Certain biomechanical foot defects stress the Achilles Tendon by forcing it to twist as it crosses the ankle into the foot rather than allowing it to run straight.
The main causes of this pathologic twisting of the tendon are pronation or supination (the opposite of pronation).
This twisting of the Achilles Tendon makes it weaker and more susceptible to over-utilization stresses and injuries, which causes the tendon to become inflamed and painful.
Custom-made orthotics comfortably maintain the foot in its normal position, in relationship to the ankle and lower leg, thus preventing the foot from pronating or supinating.
This allows the Achilles Tendon to run straight into the foot without twisting, allows the Achilles Tendonitis to disappear, and helps to prevent it from returning.
