When the Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the body, becomes inflammed, it can cause excruciating pain in the back of the heel and lower leg. This tendon connects the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the calf to the calcaneus, the heel bone and is essential for walking, running and jumping. If Achilles tendonitis is left untreated, the tendon may eventually rupture, a far more serious condition.
Cause
The primary cause of Achilles tendonitis is repetitive motion that gradually irritates the tendon, causing it to swell and hurt. The condition is common in athletes and people who participate in recreational athletics. Basketball players are particularly vulnerable, because basketball requires plenty of jumping and switching positions quickly. In older individuals, osteoarthritis is a common cause of tendonitis. Other causes may include infection or blunt trauma to the back of the leg or heel.
Home Care
Immediately after first noticing pain and 15 minutes before exercising, ice should be applied to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, explains MayoClinic.com. It's also important to rest the tendon, either by staying off the foot entirely, reducing activity or wearing a foot boot or brace to reduce pressure on the area. When sleeping or sitting, the foot should be elevated above the level of the heart. Compressive bandages are also used to limit swelling. Some people use gentle stretches to strengthen the tendon and the muscles surrounding it.
Medical Treatment
If pain from Achilles tendonitis is severe, a doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Corticosteroid injections are another option for chronic tendonitis. One experimental treatment that some doctors are trying is injecting blood platelets from the patient's own blood into the area to encourage the healing factors in the blood to fix the problem. If all else fails, surgery may be an option.
Alternative Remedies
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there are many alternative methods of treating tendonitis, but these have not been clinically evaluated, so their effectiveness remains unknown. Ultrasonography, also known as phonophoresis, uses ultrasonic waves to treat the area. Using electricity to relieve pain is the goal of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Nutritional supplements sometimes used for treating tendonitis include bromelain, calcium and vitamins C, E and A. Herbs, including turmeric, licorice, willow bark and cat's claw, may also help. A trained homeopath may recommend an appropriate dosage of bryonia, phytolacca, rhododendron or rhus toxicodendron.
Considerations
Before attempting self-treatment for Achilles tendonitis, consult a doctor to make sure that no other problems exist. The Achilles tendon is vulnerable not only to tendonitis, but also to bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacks that cushion the tendon where it connects to the heel bone. If the pain is sudden and severe, an Achilles tendon rupture may be to blame instead of tendonitis. Home care aimed at treating tendonitis may not work for these other conditions.
