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Foot and Ankle · Foot and Ankle

Ankle Arthritis

Wear of the cartilage in the ankle joint, usually years after a fracture or repeated sprains, causing deep aching, stiffness and pain with every step.

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Foot and Ankle · Foot and Ankle

Achilles Tendinitis

Overuse irritation and degeneration of the Achilles tendon, either in its middle or where it attaches to the heel, causing pain and stiffness above the heel with activity.

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Foot and Ankle · Foot and Ankle

Ankle Instability

An ankle that keeps rolling or giving way long after the original sprain, because the outer ligaments healed stretched and loose.

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles connects the calf to the heel and transmits the force of every push-off.

With repetitive overload, the tendon fibers degenerate and thicken, a process more accurately called tendinopathy than tendinitis.It occurs either in the middle of the tendon or at its insertion on the heel bone, and the two are treated differently.

At a glance

Also calledAchilles tendinopathy

Most commonAges 30 to 50, runners

First stepExam, ultrasound

Treated by

Daniel Hoopes, MD, Foot and Ankle surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. HoopesFoot and Ankle

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

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or call801-640-0000

Achilles Tendinitis

Symptoms

Pain and stiffness above the heel, worst with the first steps in the morning and at the start of activity, easing with warm-up, then worse afterward. A tender thickening in the tendon or a bony bump at the heel.Sudden severe pain with a pop is a rupture, which is different and urgent.

Common signs

Pain above the heel, first steps

Stiff at the start of activity

Tender thickening in the tendon

Worse after hills or jumping

See us sooner if

Sudden pop with severe pain

Cannot rise on toes

Achilles Tendinitis

Causes

A sudden increase in running, hill work or jumping, tight calves, worn or unsupportive shoes, and age-related tendon changes.Weekend athletes between thirty and fifty are the classic patient.Certain antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class weaken tendons and raise the risk.

Achilles Tendinitis

How We Diagnose It

The diagnosis is by exam, with tenderness and thickening along the tendon.Ultrasound or MRI shows the degree of degeneration, any partial tear, and bone spurs at the insertion.X-rays show calcification and heel spurs in insertional disease.Trail runners and weekend athletes make up most of this diagnosis; the eccentric loading program is taught at the first visit. Dr. Hoopes and Dr. Carlson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.

Achilles Tendinitis

Treatment Options

A progressive eccentric calf-loading program is the core treatment and resolves most mid-tendon cases over three months.

Heel lifts, footwear changes, activity modification and anti-inflammatories help.Stubborn cases may receive shockwave therapy or PRP. Surgery to remove degenerated tendon or heel spur is reserved for the minority that fail six months of care.

Your options

Non-surgical

Eccentric calf loading

Heel lifts, footwear

Activity changes

Shockwave or PRP

Surgical

Debridement

Spur removal

Achilles Tendon Repair

Biologic Treatments

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Achilles Tendinitis

Procedures That Address It

Achilles Tendon Repair

Biologic Treatments

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Achilles Tendinitis

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Hoopes, MD

Fellowship trained in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. Twelve years in practice.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

Request an appointment

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

Request an appointment

Find a clinic

Nondiscrimination Accessibility Good Faith Estimate