Achilles tendon injuries, such as tendonitis, tendinosis, and ruptures, can significantly impact your ability to walk, run, or even stand comfortably. These injuries often result from overuse, sudden increases in activity, tight calf muscles, or wearing poor footwear. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon, while tendinosis involves degeneration over time. A rupture is a partial or complete tear of the tendon. Symptoms include pain or stiffness in the back of the heel, swelling, and difficulty flexing the foot. The pain can feel sharp and intense with movement, especially after periods of rest or during physical activity. In the case of a rupture, you might hear a sudden pop and experience immediate, severe pain and difficulty walking. A podiatrist can diagnose the type and severity of the injury through a physical exam and imaging. Treatment may include rest, targeted exercises, custom orthotics, or surgery, in severe cases. If you have pain related to your Achilles tendon, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.
Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
Inflammation
Dull to severe pain
Increased blood flow to the tendon
Thickening of the tendon
Rupture Symptoms
Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
Total immobility
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:
Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Shepherdsvilleand Louisville, KY. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Many children have differences in how their feet look or move as they grow. Some common lower extremity abnormalities include flat feet, in-toeing, or feet turning inward, and out-toeing, or feet turning outward. Most of these conditions are normal in young children and often improve with time as the bones and muscles develop. A podiatrist will check how your child stands, walks, and moves to see if the condition is part of typical growth or if it needs treatment. In some cases, special shoes, exercises, or braces may help. Rarely, further testing or treatment is needed if the problem causes pain or limits activity. Regular check-ups can help make sure your child’s feet are developing properly. If you notice unusual walking patterns or your child is in pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an evaluation.
The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Make sure their shoes fit properly
Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Shepherdsvilleand Louisville, KY. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Pinky toe pain while walking can result from several underlying causes, each affecting comfort and mobility. Common reasons include wearing ill-fitting shoes that place pressure on the outer edge of the foot, leading to irritation or inflammation. Fractures, sprains, or dislocations from minor trauma may also cause sharp or persistent pain in the pinky toe. Other potential causes include bunions, corns, or nerve compression such as a pinched nerve. Symptoms often include tenderness, swelling, redness, or difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot. Some individuals may experience a throbbing or burning sensation, especially after extended periods of walking or standing. Having pinky toe pain may cause difficulty in completing daily activities. If this applies to you, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
Trauma
Sports injury
Wearing shoes that are too tight
Arthritis
Gout
Corns and calluses
Hammertoe
Bunions
Blisters
Ingrown toenails
Sprains
Fractures (broken bones)
Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
Severe pain
Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
Signs of infection
Continued swelling
Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Shepherdsvilleand Louisville, KY. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
