Achilles Pain / Achilles Tendinopathy
What is it?
Achilles tendinopathy is a painful condition affecting the Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. In most cases, Achilles tendinopathy is a type of overuse injury and is more common in younger people. Professional and weekend athletes can suffer from Achilles tendinopathy, but it’s also a common overuse injury in people not involved in sport.
How does it happen?
Achilles tendinopathy typically occur as a result of overuse. Factors which may contribute to Achilles tendinopathy include a recent change in training (including frequency, duration, intensity and training surfaces), reduced rest times, biomechanical abnormalities, poor footwear and decreased muscle flexibility and joint range of motion. These factors can lead to increased stress on the Achilles tendon, microtears and subsequent tendinopathy.
How does it feel?
Achilles tendinopathy ca be an acute (or reactive) or chronic condition and is typically seen at 2 locations:
- Mid-way through the tendon termed a “mid-portion tendinopathy”
- Back of the heel where the tendon attaches/inserts on to the heel bone. This is termed insertional achilles tendinopathy
Often there is associated swelling or thickening of the tendon with both types with pain often felt following activity or training on cool-down or the following morning. Typically patients reports pain and stiffness in their tendon that warms up with movement.
What should you do?
Achilles tendinopathy generally do not settle without treatment. If it is ignored, it will often get worse making it more resistant to conservative treatments. If you have or suspect you have Achilles tendinopathy, you should consult your nearest sports medicine professional.
Management
The assistance of a sports podiatrist is important in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Initially, they can assist in diagnosing the problem and establishing its severity. Sometime imaging like ultrasound or MRI may be required to determine the severity and exclude other pathologies that occur around the area.
From this, an appropriate treatment plan will be developed. This may involve:
- initial activity modification
- icing, anti-inflammatory medications
- Injection therapies such as prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma (PRP)
- Neuromuscular dry needling
- Taping/de-loading strategies
- Correction of biomechanical abnormalities using heel lifts and orthoses
- Progression of loads/strengthening programs are crucial to restore function and capacity of the tendon specific to the patient’s chosen sport or activity
Location
56 Zahel St, Carina QLD 4152
