Achilles Tendon Specialist
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Center For Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgeons & Foot and Ankle Specialists located in Lubbock, TX
Your Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body, which makes sense given that it’s partly responsible for the movement of your feet, allowing you full mobility. When a problem arises with your Achilles tendon, the effects can be serious and impede your ability to get around. At the Center for Orthopedic Surgery in Lubbock, Texas, the team of doctors has extensive experience treating Achilles tendon problems, getting you back on your feet as quickly as possible. To learn more, call or book an appointment online today.
Achilles Tendon Q & A
What is the Achilles tendon?
Your Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body and attaches your heel to your calf muscles. While it isn’t solely responsible for keeping your feet attached to your body, it does play an important role in how you’re able to move your feet. For example, your Achilles tendon enables forward and backward movement, which allows you to point your feet or stand on your toes.
What are the most common Achilles tendon injuries?
Your Achilles tendon can succumb to a variety of both acute and chronic conditions.
Acute
In an acute Achilles tendon injury, you can tear or rupture your tendon with sudden twisting or pivoting movements that are common in sports. But you don’t have to be an avid athlete to suffer an Achilles tendon injury. They can also occur if you take a bad step or fall.
Chronic
There are many things that can wear down your Achilles tendon over time, leaving it susceptible to tearing and injury. For example, chronic issues can arise from repetitive stresses that lead to tendinitis, or from wearing high heels.
Some people also have structural problems that can lead to Achilles tendon injuries, such as short tendons or muscles, or flat feet that stress the tendon more.
What are the symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury?
The most common symptoms that signal a problem with your Achilles tendon include:
- Pain in your foot and heel, which can range from mild to severe
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Loss of range of motion
If you sustain an acute injury, you may even hear a snapping or popping noise indicating a rupture, which can be either a partial or complete tear of the tendon.
How are Achilles tendon injuries treated?
The treatment your doctor at Center for Orthopedic Surgery chooses largely depends on the extent of your Achilles tendon injury. If there’s only mild tearing, your doctor may recommend rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and a corrective device if needed.
For more moderate ruptures, your doctor recommends either wearing a boot to allow your tendon to heal, or surgery to repair your tendon. The surgery is simple enough. Your doctor stitches your tendon back together, which is a good solution for complete tears.
If you’d like more information about treating Achilles tendon injuries, call the experts at Center for Orthopedic Surgery or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
