How to Diagnose Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis can present in various ways. In its worst form, it can make every step agonizingly painful. It also can curtail your participation in almost any athletic activity. Learn how to recognize the condition and have it treated.
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Instructions
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Recognize the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis. Symptoms include pain just above your heel and extending up towards your calf. You may also experience pain in the same area when going up the stairs, walking or running up hills or exercising in general. You can also have a sense of fullness in the area.
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Examine your lower leg. Look for tenderness starting at the back of the heel and extending upwards to the calf. You might find a bump, sometimes tender, in the same area.
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Review your recent history for any of the common causes of Achilles tendonitis. Causes include a sudden increase in physical activity, an increase in the miles you run per week or participation in basketball games, particularly tournament play. Also note if you've started walking or running up hills or stairs, have added exercise to increase your calf strength or if you've changed your footwear.
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See your doctor if you have any combination of these elements since the likelihood of an Achilles tendonitis is high.
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Tips & Warnings
There are 2 types of chronic Achilles tendon problems. If you have inflammation and soreness, the cause is usually linked to an activity or injury. If there is no soreness, but you have a sense of fullness near the tendon, aging and degeneration of the tendon probabably are the culprits.
A torn tendon usually is a sudden event, accompanied pain and an inability to rise up on the toes of the injured foot.
A small muscle called the plantaris muscle runs in close approximation to the calf muscles. This muscle has the body's longest tendon--a characteristic that makes it a prime candidate for rupture. This is a sudden, painful occurrence, often described as being shot in the back of the leg with a pellet gun. The difference between this injury and a total Achilles tear is the calf muscle continues to work. A partial tear of an Achilles tendon can sometimes imitate a plantaris rupture. It's important to seek medical attention to differentiate between the two.
Achilles tendonitis is associated with an increased risk for tendon rupture. That's why it is important to take care of the problem early.
