Solving children’s foot pain

Posted on: 22 January 2016

Achilles tendinopathy occurs when scar tissue surrounds the tendon that attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone. The scar tissue prevents your foot from moving as freely as it normally would and the condition can worsen if left untreated. Here's an overview of the causes, symptoms and treatment options:

Causes

• Poor running technique, which can cause you to land unevenly
• Engaging in high-impact exercise and sports without supportive footwear
• Excessive strain on your heel as a result of collapsed foot arches
• Exercising too intensely
• Certain types of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis, which can damage your tendons due to loss of joint stability and strength

Symptoms

• Inflammation around your heel
• Pain that tends to worsen as you use the affected foot throughout the day
• Loss of flexibility, which can make it difficult for you to move your foot up and down or rotate it

Treatment

Achilles tendinopathy can be diagnosed by a podiatrist, and they will suggest a treatment plan based on your symptoms. Treatment can include the following:

• Rest - Staying off the affected foot as much as possible for a few days will allow the swelling to come down and the surrounding muscles to loosen. It's not necessary to stay off the foot altogether, but you should avoid high-impact activities and rest several times throughout the day.
• Exercises - You can loosen the tendon and help to prevent a recurrence of your symptoms by doing gentle stretching and strengthening exercises every day. Your podiatrist or physiotherapist can formulate an exercise plan with you.
• Insoles - Custom-made orthotic insoles can alter the way weight is spread across your feet, which can bring relief from pain, provide support and take the strain off your Achilles tendon. Your podiatrist will measure your feet and order you a pair of insoles specially made to treat your symptoms.
• Medication - Anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers can be useful in the early days of treatment. These drugs can give you some quick relief and allow you to carry out your exercises effectively.
• Surgery - If conservative treatment has not been successful, you may need to have the scar tissue surgically removed. This is rarely required, but the procedure can restore flexibility and alleviate pain immediately. As with all surgical procedures, there are risks involved, such as infection, so be sure to discuss the pros and cons of the operation with your surgeon.

If you're experiencing any of the listed symptoms, book an appointment with your podiatrist for a thorough foot exam.