You felt it this morning—a tight, burning sensation just above your heel when you took your first steps. Maybe it faded as you moved around, or perhaps it worsened throughout the day. Either way, that lower leg pain isn't something to ignore. At Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, many of our patients often describe this exact discomfort, and more often than not, it indicates Achilles tendinitis, a common but treatable condition that responds well to early treatment.
The good news? Understanding the early symptoms of Achilles tendinitis and receiving the right support from Dr. Jason Wilks and his experienced podiatry team helps you feel better faster and prevent more serious problems down the road.
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What Is Achilles Tendinitis and Why Does It Hurt So Much?
Your Achilles tendon is the thick band of tissue connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. Every time you walk, run, or push off your toes, it does the heavy lifting—in fact, it’s the strongest tendon in your body. When it becomes inflamed or irritated, the result is Achilles tendinitis—a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling in the lower leg just above the heel. Some people describe the condition as a tight rubber band that just won't loosen up.
Two Types of Achilles Tendinitis
Depending on where the inflammation occurs, you might experience:
- Insertional: This affects the lower part of the tendon where it attaches to the heel bone. Bone spurs sometimes develop in this area, adding to the discomfort.
- Noninsertional: This involves the middle section of the tendon and is more common in younger, active individuals. Tiny tears in the tendon fibers cause pain and thickening over time.
What Are the Typical Causes?
- Overuse or sudden increases in activity. Ramping up your running mileage too quickly or starting a new fitness routine without proper conditioning puts extra strain on the tendon.
- Tight calf muscles. When your calves are tight, they pull harder on the Achilles tendon with every step, increasing the risk of inflammation.
- Improper footwear. Worn-out shoes or those without adequate arch support force your feet and tendons to work harder than they should.
- Age-related changes. As you get older, tendons lose some of their flexibility and become more prone to injury—especially if you stay active without adjusting your routine.
- Flat feet or high arches. Both foot structures can alter the way force travels through your leg, placing uneven stress on the Achilles tendon.
5 Common Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
While every person's experience is slightly different, pay attention to what your body is telling you—these key signs of Achilles tendinitis shouldn't be dismissed.
Sharp or Burning Pain During Activity
The discomfort intensifies when you climb stairs, stand on your toes, or begin exercising after sitting for a while. This pain often eases slightly once you're warmed up, only to return later with greater intensity.
Morning Stiffness
Your Achilles tendon tightens overnight, making it difficult to walk normally when you first get out of bed. The stiffness typically loosens after a few minutes of movement, but it returns after any extended period of rest.
Visible or Palpable Tendon Thickening
You may notice a bump or swollen area a few inches above your heel bone. This thickening is the tendon's response to repeated irritation and tiny tears in the tissue.
Swelling and Warmth at the Back of Your Ankle
The area around the Achilles tendon may appear puffy and feel warm to the touch, particularly after engaging in physical activity. This inflammation is your body's attempt to heal the damaged tissue.
Weakness While Flexing or Pushing Off
Your ankle feels unstable, and you struggle to point your toes downward with the same force you once had. Simple movements, such as walking uphill or accelerating while running, become unexpectedly difficult.
How Can Our Roseburg Podiatrist Help You With Achilles Tendinitis?
It's tempting to wait and see if the pain goes away on its own. Sometimes it does—but often, untreated Achilles tendinitis leads to chronic pain, thickening of the tendon, or even a rupture, which is far more serious and may require surgery.
At Wilks Advanced Foot Care, we take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your lifestyle, and assess your activity history. We provide a thorough physical exam to pinpoint the exact location of the pain and assess tendon flexibility. In some cases, imaging techniques such as X-ray or ultrasound may be used to detect bone spurs, tendon tears, or other underlying issues.
Then, we’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, with options such as:
- Rest and activity modification. Reducing or adjusting activities that aggravate the tendon gives it time to heal.
- Anti-inflammatory strategies. Ice, compression, and sometimes medication can reduce pain and swelling.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises. Targeted exercises improve calf flexibility and build tendon resilience.
- Orthotic inserts. Our customized medical orthotics support your active lifestyle while reducing strain on the tendon.
- Shockwave treatment. Radial Shockwave Therapy is an advanced, non-invasive method for Achilles tendinitis care that enhances blood circulation and accelerates the healing process, allowing your body to replace damaged tissue with new, healthy tissue.
Trust in our 25 years of quality care to help you return to the activities you love, free from pain.
