July 2025

Achilles tendinopathy affects the Achilles tendon, the strong band connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. It develops from overuse, sudden increases in physical activity, wearing poor shoes, or tight calf muscles. Common symptoms include heel pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness along the tendon, especially during movement. A podiatrist can diagnose Achilles tendinopathy through physical examination and imaging studies to assess the extent of the damage. Treatment may involve stretching exercises, orthotics, or other conservative methods. If you are experiencing pain near your heel or along the back of your ankle, it is strongly suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist for expert care and a personalized plan to support healing and restore function.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Keeping the feet strong and mobile is important for overall stability and comfort. Gentle exercises can help improve movement and reduce the risk of injury. One helpful practice is spreading the toes apart while seated or standing, which encourages better muscle control and coordination. Another useful activity involves placing a small towel on the floor and using only the toes to pull it inward, which can help support the arch and engage underused muscles. A third option is rising slowly onto the balls of the feet and lowering back down with control, which helps strengthen the ankles and improve balance. These small movements, when done regularly, can have a lasting impact on how the feet function during daily activities. If your feet remain stiff, weak, or sore despite incorporating basic mobility work, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an evaluation and guidance.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails are a common problem, especially among teenagers and young adults. They can make it painful to walk, wear shoes, or go about daily routines. Mild cases can often be managed with gentle, non-surgical care such as taping the skin away from the nail, placing soft material under the edge of the nail, or using special braces that guide the nail to grow properly. These methods may bring relief when used early and with proper technique. In more serious cases, where the nail continues to grow into the skin or becomes infected, minor surgery may be needed. A widely used and reliable approach involves treating the side of the nail root so the problem does not return. If you have a painful, swollen toenail that does not improve, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Plaza Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, Lutherville, and Dundalk, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.