San Juan Regional Health

If you regularly experience pain in the back of your heel, Achilles tendinitis could be to blame. This common overuse injury usually affects runners, but other active individuals are also at risk. The board-certified podiatrists at San Juan Health Partners Foot and Ankle in Farmington, New Mexico, specialize in diagnosing and treating Achilles tendinitis. If you’ve tried various at-home care measures without improvement, call our office today.

What is Achilles tendinitis?

Achilles tendinitis is a painful condition that causes your Achilles tendon — a thick band of fibrous tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone — to become irritated and inflamed, usually as a result of general wear-and-tear or repetitive stress.

It is especially common in runners who suddenly change the frequency or intensity of their workouts, as well as middle-aged "weekend warriors" who participate in strenuous physical activity occasionally. Most of the time, the condition responds to conservative care like ice and rest, but persistent symptoms require professional evaluation.

What are the symptoms of Achilles tendinitis?

Achilles tendinitis usually starts as a dull, throbbing pain at the back of your leg, just above your heel. Telltale signs include:

• Pain that worsens after running, jogging, or climbing stairs
• Tenderness or stiffness at the back of the heel, especially in the morning
• Localized swelling that increases with activity
• Decreased range of motion when flexing the foot

How is Achilles tendinitis diagnosed?

Your San Juan Health Partners Foot and Ankle provider reviews your medical history and performs a detailed physical exam. During the exam, your doctor gently presses on the back of your leg and heel to pinpoint the location of pain and swelling. We also evaluate your ankle’s range of motion, flexibility, and alignment to determine the severity of the inflammation.

How is Achilles tendinitis treated?

Whenever possible, we recommend conservative, noninvasive care. Your personalized treatment plan may include:

• Activity Modification: Switching to lower-impact sports like swimming or cycling while you heal.
• Custom Orthotics: Specialized shoe inserts to take pressure off the tendon.
• Physical Therapy: Strengthening and stretching exercises to improve flexibility.
• Advanced Therapies: Options like MLS laser therapy or shockwave therapy to promote tissue repair.

If your symptoms continue to worsen or if there is a risk of a tendon tear, our experienced surgeons can perform minimally invasive repairs to restore the tendon's integrity.

Don’t let Achilles tendinitis restrict your mobility. Request an appointment at San Juan Health Partners Foot and Ankle today.