Tendonitis

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis is an overuse injury that causes one (or several) of your tendons to become irritated and inflamed. Tendons are thick bands of tissue that attach your muscles to your bones. Anyone can experience tendonitis in the feet or ankles, but it’s especially common in athletes. 

What are the symptoms of tendonitis?

Symptoms of tendonitis include:

• Pain that’s worse when moving or exercising
• Swelling
• Sensations of heat or redness

As tendonitis gets worse, you might also experience a grating or crackling sensation when you move your affected body part.

Who is at risk of experiencing tendonitis?

Anyone can experience tendonitis, but several factors increase your risk, including:

• Playing sports or leading a physically active lifestyle
• Being middle-aged or older
• Performing certain motions incorrectly (like bending or lifting)
• Taking certain medications

You’re also more likely to develop tendonitis if you have an underlying medical condition like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.

How is tendonitis diagnosed?

To diagnose tendonitis, Dr. Gilbertson reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including their severity and if any activities like working out or playing sports make them worse. During the visit, let Dr. Gilbertson know if you have any recent injuries.

Next, Dr. Gilbertson examines your feet and ankles. He gently presses on the heels and balls of your feet to pinpoint areas of swelling or tenderness. Dr. Gilbertson also checks your reflexes, coordination, and muscle strength. 

If these measures don’t provide enough information about the source of your discomfort, Dr. Gilbertson might order X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound. These imaging procedures capture detailed photos of your hard and soft tissues.

How is tendonitis treated?

Treatment of tendonitis depends on several factors, including your age and the severity of your symptoms. Usually, Dr. Gilbertson recommends conservative treatments like:

• Resting and elevating the tendon
• Heat or ice therapy
• Taking over-the-counter pain medicine
• Wrapping the area with a compression bandage
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics

If your symptoms continue or they get worse, Dr. Gilbertson might recommend surgery. During surgery for tendonitis, Dr. Gilbertson uses special tools to carefully remove the inflamed tissue. 

To explore the treatment options for tendonitis, make an appointment at Renew Foot & Ankle by calling the office today or clicking the online scheduling tool.