Achilles Tendonitis Treatment St. Catharines — Custom Orthotics & Shockwave Therapy — Registered Chiropodist
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment St. Catharines — Registered Chiropodist. Custom orthotics, shockwave therapy and rehab to restore mobility. Book assessment.
Get an in‑clinic assessment for Achilles tendon pain — we assess tendon health, biomechanics, and offer conservative care focused on custom orthotics, rehabilitation, and evidence‑based shockwave therapy when appropriate.
What is the Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon (heel cord) connects calf muscles to the heel bone and powers heel‑rise during walking and running. Overuse or sudden increases in repetitive activity can inflame the tendon (tendonitis) or lead to chronic degeneration (tendinosis) with microscopic tearing and thickening.
Why an assessment matters
At your visit we perform a focused assessment of pain location, range of motion, tendon tenderness, gait and foot mechanics to identify contributing factors such as over‑pronation, tight calf muscles, footwear, or training changes. Assessment guides safe, targeted treatment and helps determine whether imaging or specialist referral is needed.
Typical symptoms we evaluate
Aching, stiffness, or tenderness along the tendon, often worse after rest and with activity.
Morning stiffness that eases with movement but worsens later.
Localized swelling, nodules, or reduced calf strength may indicate tendon degeneration.
Conservative treatments we provide
Custom orthotics and bracing to correct over‑pronation and reduce tendon strain.
Footwear advice and activity modification to remove mechanical overload.
Immobilization (walking boot) when needed to off‑load the tendon during acute flares.
Ice, NSAIDs, and a progressive rehab program emphasizing eccentric calf strengthening, stretching, and gait retraining.
Therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound or phonophoresis to reduce local inflammation and pain.
Shockwave therapy — what to expect
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is offered in our clinic as a non‑invasive option for Achilles tendonitis. Clinical trials and systematic reviews support ESWT as an effective conservative treatment for many patients with Achilles tendinopathy. ESWT can reduce pain and improve function without incisions; responses vary and multiple sessions are often required. This treatment can accelerate soft tissue healing without medication.
Important limitations and outcomes
Treatments aim to reduce pain and restore function; they do not instantly reverse long‑standing tendon degeneration.
Most patients improve with a combination of orthotics, rehab, and modalities; surgery is reserved only for persistent, severe cases after conservative care fails.
Early assessment and adherence to a rehab plan improve recovery and lower the risk of rupture.
Book an assessment
Book an in‑clinic assessment to assess your Achilles pain, determine if a custom orthotic is needed, set up a tendon rehab plan, and discuss whether shockwave therapy is appropriate for your case.
