4 Winter Foot Worries If You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, caring for your feet is always important. In the winter, that means taking some extra steps. Here are four areas worth your attention.
A Closer Look at Tendonitis of the Ankle and Foot
Your foot is a complex network of parts, including more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Your ankles are similarly complicated. All of these components need to work together to keep you upright and propel you forward as you move through your day.
Over time, though, life can take its toll. Repeated stress can irritate the tendons that connect the muscles in your feet and ankles to bone. That brings on inflammation, resulting in tendonitis. Once you have inflammation in the tendon, you often get symptoms that make it uncomfortable — if not outright painful — to go about your day.
If you’re experiencing unwelcome sensations in your feet or ankles, it could very well be tendonitis. As experts in Achilles tendonitis and other kinds of foot and ankle tendon issues, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, can help you figure out what’s going on. More importantly, here at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois, we also work with you to find treatment that brings you relief.
Tendonitis 101
You can get tendonitis — basically, inflammation in a tendon — in any part of your body. Some people experience it in their shoulder or elbow, for example. But because the feet and ankles have to do so much to help us get around, it’s particularly common for people to experience tendonitis there.
Stress on a tendon that leads to inflammation can cause symptoms like:
- Pain that worsens with activity
- Tenderness
- Swelling, redness, and warmth in the area
- Stiffness, especially after a period of inactivity
- Weakness in the area
- Growths in the area (bone spurs, nodules)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to talk to Dr. Thakrar or Dr. Vittori.
Diagnosing tendonitis
Finding out what’s going on with your tendon starts with talking with your doctor. Tell Dr. Vittori or Dr. Thakrar where you’re experiencing the pain. Usually, this helps them hone in on the tendon causing the issue.
For example, if you have:
- Pain in your heel, it’s likely Achilles tendonitis
- Pain on the inside of your ankle, it’s likely posterior tibial tendonitis
- Pain on the outside of your ankle, it’s like peroneal tendonitis
- Pain on the back of your ankle on the big toe side, it’s likely flexor tendonitis
- Pain on the top of your foot, it’s like extensor tendonitis
That assumes that tendon inflammation is what’s causing your discomfort. To confirm that and look for any other potential issues (like bone spurs), Dr. Thakrar or Dr. Vittori may order an X-ray.
Soothing foot and ankle tendonitis
Once we confirm that tendonitis is the root cause of your symptoms and identify which tendon is to blame, we create a treatment plan for you.
Rest is key with tendonitis. You need to avoid putting any more stress on the tendon so that it can heal.
To further support your healing, we might fit you with orthotics or immobilize the area with a boot. We work alongside you to find treatment options that work to bring down the inflammation in the tendon and create relief from your symptoms.
If you think you might have foot or ankle tendonitis, call or schedule an appointment online with our team at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist today.
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