Achilles Tendonitis
At the back of the leg, attaching the calf to the heel and passing behind the ankle is the Achilles Tendon. Although it is believed to be the thickest and most robust tendon in the body, sometimes damage occurs causing an extremely painful injury.
What is Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles Tendonitis is the irritation and inflammation of the Achilles tendon and severe cases can result in an Achilles tendon rupture.
What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is an over-use or repetitive strain injury and therefore sports associated with acceleration such as running or jumping can aggravate the Achilles tendon.
Achilles Tendonitis is commonly caused by a lack of flexibility or overpronation of the foot. Rigidity of the tendons come with age and therefore as we get older we become more susceptible to injury.
What are the Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis?
The main symptom of Achilles Tendonitis is pain at the back of the heel, usually at its most acute after long periods of inaction such as first thing in the morning or after sitting down for while. Aggravating activities like running and jumping and pointing the toes can be painful.
What Treatment can you have for Achilles Tendonitis?
Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis should be swift as the inflammation associated with Achilles Tendonitis can lead to degeneration of the tissue, increasing the chances of developing the more serious disorder of Achilles tendon rupture.
Things you can do yourself
- Rest
- Elevation
- Cold therapy: Put a cold pack (typically an ice pack applied for 20 minutes) directly on the injury
- Thermotherapy: Apply heat (typically in the form of heated pads, warms packs or lamps) to the areas of the body causing pain. NB. Often Cold therapy and Thermotherapy are alternated, with the cold application happening first
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (always seek the advice of a medical professional).
Rehabilitation treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Orthopaedic consultancy.