Tendonitis Specialist
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Kirk Grogan, DPM
Podiatrist Foot & Ankle Surgery located in Pacific Heights & Duboce Triangle, San Francisco, CA
Tendonitis is a painful condition caused by irritation and inflammation of your tendons. Typically triggered by repetitive movements and overuse. Dr. Kirk Grogan offers diagnosis and care to help patients from throughout San Francisco recover from this common injury. Call or make an appointment online today if you are experiencing pain in your joints and experiencing limited mobility.
Tendonitis Q & A
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are thick cords of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Tendonitis causes pain around your joints and may limit your range of motion and mobility.
Dr. Grogan most often treats Achilles’ tendonitis. Your Achilles’ tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in your body, connecting your calf muscles to your ankle and heel, facilitating the foot movements necessary for walking and running.
What are the symptoms of tendonitis?
Tendonitis causes pain and mobility issues in the affected joint. For example, if you develop Achilles’ tendonitis, your calf, ankle, and foot are sore. You may not be able to flex your foot and your gait is affected, perhaps causing you to limp or pronate.
What causes tendonitis?
Tendonitis is typically caused by overuse and repetitive motion. Achilles’ tendonitis is common among athletes, both professional and casual. The repeated stress from running and jumping associated with sports like soccer, football, tennis, and skiing can result in tendonitis. Tendonitis can develop in other joints as well, triggered by activities like gardening, carpentry, golf, and painting.
The condition also can develop if you start a new physical activity, for example: taking a long hike, walking while on vacation, and over stressing your calf muscles and tendon with abnormal activity.
If you are going to start a new hobby, sport, or training regimen, you can protect your tendons by starting slowly and building up your endurance and strength over several weeks.
How is tendonitis treated?
If you think you have tendonitis, you should make an appointment with Dr. Grogan as soon as possible. When caught early, treatment for tendonitis is conservative and usually effective. Dr. Grogan advises the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) for at-home care. He also prescribes orthotics to relieve some of the pressure on the tendon. Physical therapy and at-home stretches and exercises also can help relieve tendonitis.
If your tendonitis is more severe, Dr. Grogan offers cortisol injections. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to aspirate and release your tendon.
If you think you have tendonitis, call or book an appointment online today.
