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Forum Name: Miscellaneous Orthopedic Topics

Question: achilles tendon

alliekat - Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:42 am

Hi! I am a 28 yr old female. The achilles tendon on my right foot is quite tight. I have seen a podiatrist several months ago for this pain. He told me it was very tight and put me in Physical Therapy for stretching. Lately, the pain in my achilles has been horrible. Sometimes I am afraid to walk for fear that it might rupture. Can this happen? I continue to do the exercise given to me in PT but it is not really helping. What do I do? Allie

Dr. Paula Fontaine - Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:45 pm

Hello alliecat- Once an achilles tendon has become very inflammed it can be difficult to get relief as it is stretched with every step you take. It is certainly possible to rupture an achilles tendon, particularly one that has become chronically inflammed over a long period of time. In many instances the treatment of choice might be immobilization of the foot to reduce further trauma to the tendon and allow healing to occur. Immobilization might mean a cast with crutches or a pneumatic walking boot depending on your doctor's preference and the severity of your symptoms. Once the tendon has had a chance to 'settle down' your doctor may then have your return to formal physical therapy (as you return to a normal shoe) to help gradually rehabilitate the foot and leg. Depending on how quickly your tendon responds to immobilization you may need to be in a cast or pneumatic walking boot for a number of weeks followed by several weeks of therapy. Oral antiinflammatory medications and daily icing are often part of the treatment for tendonitis as well. Good luck!

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