If you have been having pain in your foot and suspect it is your Achilles tendon, talk to your doctor. The sooner you deal with the problem, the better your outcomes will be.
Injuring your Achilles tendon is painful. This is the largest tendon in your body and is responsible for the movements that your foot makes. If it’s injured, walking becomes difficult and painful.
There are many ways you can damage your Achilles tendon. It is a large tendon and generally will not be injured through normal daily activities. But a sudden large force or pivoting suddenly can cause it to tear. If your foot already naturally turns outward, you are more at risk for this happening. A sudden increase in physical activity can put more strain on your Achilles tendon and cause damage. Another type of damage is called tendinopathy, or tendonitis. This is a degeneration of the Achilles tendon and comes from overuse or unusual stress to the tendon.
If the damage to your Achilles tendon is minor, you may not need treatment and it will heal on its own. Resting, icing and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen may restore your foot to its full function. It is up to you and your doctor to decide if the damage to your Achilles tendon is severe enough to warrant surgical repair.
