The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body and its function id to connect the muscles in the heel with the lower legs. Without the ability of this tendon to deal with massive pressure, sometimes several times the weight of the body, humans will not be able to walk, run or jump. When this important tendon is injured, inflammation can quickly set in, leading to Achilles tendonitis, which can cause severe foot pain.
<b>What Factors Lead to the Development of the Condition?</b>
Many people that partake in vigorous sports activities fail to stretch their muscles prior to taxing physical activities, and therefore place the tendon under an unacceptable amount of pressure. Younger people that develop this condition often take part in sports and physical activities that require jumping and sudden sprints. Physical injury often leads to inflammation and infection, and this can also cause Achilles tendonitis. Middle-aged or elder people may develop the condition from arthritis, and any form of bone growth in the heel may irritate the tendon and eventually lead to tendonitis.
<b>How Does One Recognize the Condition?</b>
When patients experience acute pain behind the heel or severe foot pain, Achilles tendonitis is often indicated. The pain is not always acute, but almost all patients experience increased levels of pain when the muscles of the ankle, calf and foot have not been in use for some time. In most cases, Achilles tendonitis causes swelling in the area behind the heel, and sufferers will experience a sharp pain when they try to push or jump. Most sufferers find it painful to raise themselves on their toes.
<b>What Can be Done About the Condition?</b>
There are several treatment options for Achilles tendonitis, ranging from shoe insolest to drastic surgical interventions. Rest is regarded as one of the most important treatment, and often specialists will go as far as to immobilize the foot to make sure that all the muscles rest. Lifting the heel by means of special shoe insoles can also help to relieve the pressure on the tendon. Most patient find that the improvement of the blood flow, achieved by using an ice pack, can lessen foot pain considerably for short periods. Most specialists prescribe medication and salves that aim to lessen the pain while dealing with the inflammation at the same time.
Patients are strongly advised to take part in physical therapy where special stretching and building exercises are done in order to strengthen the muscles and to make them much more supple. Surgery is generally not considered unless all other options have failed to produce results. Surgery is usually performed in order to remove the infected part of the tendon and to ensure that the remaining healthy part is re-attached to the heel.
<b>What Steps Can be Taken to Avoid the Condition?</b>
Most sportsmen know how important it is to avoid foot pain by using insolest and completing a series of stretching and warming up exercises before they subject their bodies to the rigors of exercise. The more flexible the tendons and muscles are, the less likely the chances for injury, and prevention with insolest is always better than cure.
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