Achilles Tendon Injury- Treatment

To treat this condition:

Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a cloth on the area every 3 to 4 hours, for up to 20 minutes at a time.

You could also do ice massage. To do this, first freeze water in a Styrofoam cup, then peel the top of the cup away to expose the ice. Hold the bottom of the cup and rub the ice over your tendon for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this several times a day while you have pain.

Raise your foot by putting a pillow under your lower leg when you sit or lie down.

Take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, or other medicine as directed by your provider. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, do not take for more than 10 days.

While you are recovering from your injury, change your sport or activity to one that does not make your condition worse. For example, you may need to swim instead of run.

Follow your provider’s instructions for doing exercises to help you recover.

After you recover from your acute injury, use moist heat for 10 to 15 minutes at a time before you do warm-up and stretching exercises. Do not use heat if you have swelling. If you over-pronate, your healthcare provider may recommend shoe inserts, called orthotics, to keep your foot stable. You can buy orthotics at a pharmacy or athletic shoe store or they can be custom-made. If your healthcare provider prescribes a heel lift insert for your shoe, wear it at least until your tendon heals and possibly longer. The liftprevents extra stretching of your Achilles tendon.

In some severe cases of Achilles tendonitis, your foot may be put in a cast for several weeks.

A tear of the tendon may require surgery. If you don't have surgery, your foot may be put in a cast for 6 to 10 weeks.