Achilles Tendinitis: 4 Signs You Should Stop Pushing Through the Pain

How do you know you’ve overworked your Achilles tendon and need a break? Look for the four telltale signs that this area of the body requires rest and relaxation, not more workouts.

Foot pain is one of the most difficult pain experiences. For one, it’s extremely hard to ignore, as you constantly rely on your feet to get you from place to place. And it can be hard to give your aching feet the rest they deserve for the same reason.

If you’re wondering why your feet hurt so much, consider that it could be Achilles tendinitis. With Achilles tendinitis, there’s a tendency to push through your discomfort and keep working, exercising, and doing everything else you’d normally do. But this is a mistake; the treatment requires rest.

At Southwest Foot & Ankle in Scottsdale, Arizona, we’re dedicated to helping our patients feel whole again. Petrina C. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS, and Mark T. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS, can quickly diagnose your foot pain and, if it is Achilles tendinitis, provide you with a treatment regimen that will allow you to heal safely and fully.

4 signs it is Achilles tendinitis, and you need to stop pushing yourself

1. Heel pain

The pain associated with Achilles tendinitis is specifically concentrated around the heel. This is because your Achilles tendon runs along the back of your leg, connecting your foot to your ankle.

Consider which part of your body you’re working when you move your foot up and down. That’s your Achilles tendon.

When you’re walking, running, or otherwise going about your day, you’ll feel the most pain in your heel. You may think you just need to work the area out and it’ll start feeling right again, but this is actually the worst thing you can do.

2. Stiff and swollen ankle

Most people notice heel pain before they notice that there’s something wrong with their Achilles tendon. But you may be able to tell, especially at certain times of the day.

For example, when you wake up in the morning, does your ankle feel stiff? Do you have trouble moving your foot up and down?

Also, when you’ve been walking, running, playing sports, or doing something else where you use your feet significantly, do you notice your tendon is warm or swollen? When you try standing on your toes, do you have trouble stretching into position? All of these are signs that you’ve overworked your Achilles tendon.

3. Overuse of the area

Have you recently increased your activity? Or are you someone who’s always worked out a lot (exercising, playing sports, or walking a lot at work)?

This kind of overuse can cause your Achilles tendon major problems, and though you may notice less pain as you continue to move, there’s a possibility you’ll start to see more discomfort as time goes on.

Achilles tendonitis can mask itself as stiffness. You may think it’ll work itself out, but it’s really an overuse condition. Whether you’ve been moving more or just consistently putting strain on the area, the problem won’t go away with increased activity.

4. Achilles rupture

This is the most severe possible outcome for Achilles tendon issues. It can happen suddenly, but most often, it happens after a person has pushed themselves past their breaking point.

A rupture usually occurs with a painful cracking sound and problems moving on the injured foot. If it happens to you, you’ll need to cease all activity immediately and see a professional. But if it hasn’t, how can you prevent it?

What to do about Achilles tendonitis

Now you know: Even if it seems like your foot or ankle is just stiff and needs to be worked out, these signs mean it’s time to stop.

Instead, make sure you give your tendon the time and rest it needs by decreasing your daily movement or switching to low-impact exercises that don’t involve using this part of your body. You can also ice the area several times a day and take over-the-counter pain medication.

If your situation is more severe, you may need a walking boot or another type of protective treatment so that your body can heal properly. To determine which option is best, you should visit a clinic like ours.

Will my Achilles tendonitis heal on its own?

If you stop pushing yourself and give it time, yes, you should be able to heal after some significant rest. However, this all depends on the extent of the overuse and the treatments you need. For that, we recommend coming into our office.

Call us at 480-900-7399 or schedule an appointment online today.