Achilles Tendon Disorders
What is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. It runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off the ground.
Achilles Tendonitis and Achilles Tendinosis
Two common disorders that occur in the heel cord are Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinosis:
Achilles tendonitis: is an inflammation of the of the Achilles tendon
Achilles tendinopathy: a chronic (long term) condition that causes weakness and degeneration of the Achilles due to a series of very small tears.
What are the symptoms of Achilles tendon injuries?
The symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy include:
- Weakness or stiffness at the back of your heel (the stiffness may be more noticeable in the morning and get better as the tendon warms up with use)
- Tenderness, or sometimes intense pain, when the sides of the tendon are squeezed.
- Swelling of Achilles tendon
- Decreased strength and movement
- When the disorder progresses to degeneration, the tendon may become enlarged and may develop nodules in the area where the tissue is damaged.
What causes Achilles tendon injuries?
Achilles tendinopathy is caused by excessive loading of the Achilles, causes include:
- A sudden increase in physical activity
- Wearing unsupportive shoes
- Running on uneven or hard surfaces
- Tight or weak calf muscles
- Inadequate warm up
- Sudden change in training surface, grass to road
- Flat or over pronated feet
- High arch with tight Achilles tendon
- Constantly wearing high heels or toe walking
- Hill running
How Can The Podiatry Experts Help?
At The Podiatry Experts we can provide you with Orthotics to protect the foot from being overstretched. This will be used to control the pronation or supination when the foot makes contact with the ground. The orthotics are designed to allow the foot to function as normal and prevent it from being overuse.
- Temporary heel lifts: We can provide you with temporary heel lifts to help reduce tension on the Achilles tendon. These should only be used for two weeks.
- Achilles and Calf Muscle Stretches
- Foot mobilisation: to realign bones in the feet to reduce tension on Achilles tendon
- Laser Therapy: to reduce inflammation, speed up heeling, reduce pain
- Footwear
What you should do next?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of Achilles Tendon pain, then it is highly recommended to book a biomechanical appointment straight away.
It is easy to book with us- fill out our online form and we schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We will discuss with you the best possible solutions for your foot pain
It is important to remember not to delay in sorting the foot problem out soon possible as it will worsen and cause more pain. Make sure to schedule an appointment with us today.
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