Pain in the back of the heel or ankle that keeps coming back can make walking, exercising, climbing stairs, and even completing everyday activities uncomfortable. While occasional soreness may improve with rest, chronic Achilles tendon pain can be a sign of an ongoing tendon problem that deserves professional evaluation.
At Vargas Foot Specialists, Dr. Marco A. Vargas provides advanced foot and ankle care for patients throughout Sugar Land, Houston, Katy, Richmond, Missouri City, Rosenberg, and surrounding Texas communities. For appropriate patients with persistent Achilles tendon problems, EPAT® Shockwave Therapy may be considered as part of a personalized treatment plan.
The Achilles tendon is the large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It plays an important role every time you walk, run, jump, or push off the ground.
Repeated stress can lead to changes within the tendon, resulting in Achilles tendinopathy. Symptoms may develop gradually, particularly after repetitive activity or changes in exercise intensity.
Common factors associated with Achilles tendon pain include:
You don’t have to be an athlete to develop Achilles pain. Anyone who repeatedly places stress on the tendon can experience symptoms.
Patients often hear the term Achilles tendinitis, but persistent Achilles pain may also be described as Achilles tendinopathy.
Achilles tendinitis generally refers to inflammation involving the tendon, while tendinopathy is a broader term that can describe longer-term changes associated with repeated tendon stress.
Determining exactly what is causing pain in the back of your heel is important because different conditions may require different approaches to treatment.
Common symptoms can include:
Some patients notice that the tendon feels particularly stiff when they first get out of bed and improves somewhat after moving around, only for the discomfort to return after activity.
Rest may temporarily improve symptoms, but if Achilles pain keeps returning, it is important to determine why.
Continuing to run, exercise, or repeatedly load an irritated tendon without addressing the underlying problem can prolong symptoms.
At Vargas Foot Specialists, Dr. Marco A. Vargas evaluates the location of the pain, the patient’s activity level, foot mechanics, and other factors before recommending treatment.
There is no single treatment that is appropriate for every patient.
Depending on the diagnosis and severity of the condition, treatment may include:
For patients with persistent Achilles tendinopathy, Shockwave Therapy may be one of the non-surgical treatment options considered after evaluation.
EPAT® Shockwave Therapy uses acoustic pressure waves applied to the treatment area. The therapy is used for certain musculoskeletal conditions to stimulate a biological response in the targeted tissue and support the healing process.
One reason EPAT® is appealing for appropriate patients is that it is a non-invasive, in-office treatment that does not require surgical incisions.
However, not every case of Achilles pain should be treated the same way. Dr. Vargas first evaluates the condition to determine whether Shockwave Therapy for Achilles tendon pain is appropriate for the individual patient.
Consider scheduling an evaluation if your Achilles pain:
Sudden severe pain, a popping sensation, or difficulty pushing off the foot can indicate a more serious Achilles injury and should receive prompt medical evaluation.
If you’re searching for Achilles tendon pain treatment, Shockwave Therapy in Sugar Land, a podiatrist in Sugar Land, or a foot and ankle doctor near Houston, Vargas Foot Specialists provides personalized care for chronic tendon and foot conditions.
Dr. Marco A. Vargas treats patients with Achilles tendinopathy, Achilles tendinitis, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, tendon injuries, ankle pain, and other foot and ankle conditions.
If Achilles pain keeps returning and is preventing you from doing the activities you enjoy, schedule an evaluation at Vargas Foot Specialists to determine what’s causing your symptoms and whether EPAT® Shockwave Therapy or another treatment option may be appropriate for you.
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