Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, a thick band of tissue that joins the calf muscles to the heel at the rear of the lower leg. Tendinopathy is a term that describes any problem with a tendon, whether it is short-term or long-term. When a person pushes their foot off the ground (e.g., runs or jumps), the Achilles tendon distributes force from the calf muscles down to the foot, and it also helps control the position of the ankle when the foot lands back on the ground (eg, lands). When the demand placed on the Achilles tendon exceeds its ability to function, Achilles tendinopathy develops. The disease might develop as a result of a single incidence (acute damage) or as a result of repeated irritation (microtrauma) (chronic injury). The most common cause of Achilles tendon pain is repetitive damage to the tendon, which can lead to chronic Achilles tendinopathy (a progressive breakdown of the tissue) and other complications.
Achilles tendinopathy is linked to several different factors, including:
- Calf muscle tightness
- Calf muscle weakness
- Abnormal foot structure
- Abnormal foot biomechanics
- Improper footwear
- A change in an exercise routine or sport activity
- Obesity
Tenderness can be felt anywhere along the tendon, but it’s most frequent immediately above the heel (known as midportion Achilles tendinopathy), however it can also be felt where the tendon joins the heel (known as insertional Achilles tendinopathy).
Symptoms
With Achilles tendinopathy, you may experience:
- Tenderness in the heel or higher up in the Achilles tendon with manually applied pressure
- Pain and stiffness with walking, at its worst with the first several steps
- Tightness in the calf
- Swelling in the back of the ankle
Diagnosis
Your physiotherapist in Twyford, Reading will go over your medical history with you and examine your heel, ankle, and calf thoroughly. Your foot posture, strength, flexibility, and movement will be evaluated by your physiotherapist. This may entail seeing you stand in a relaxed stance, stroll, crouch, step onto a stair, or raise your heels. Other elements of your leg’s mobility and strength will be evaluated as well.
In order to find other contributing causes to your disease, your physiotherapist in Twyford, Reading may ask questions about your everyday activities, workout regimens, and footwear.
The use of imaging techniques such as X-ray or MRI to identify Achilles tendinopathy is not always necessary. We use diagnostic ultrasound to check Achilles’ tendon injury. Although surgery is uncommon, your Physio will confer with other medical professionals, such as an orthopedist in Twyford, Reading, to identify the best course of treatment for your specific disease if it does not respond to conservative treatment.
Can this Injury or Condition be Prevented?
The best techniques for preventing Achilles tendinopathy are maintaining sufficient lower-extremity mobility and muscular strength, as well as paying close attention to your exercise routine—particularly changes in an exercise surface, the amount of exercises performed, and your footwear.
When you’ve had an injury, your physiotherapist can help you work through a procedure that gradually reintroduces more demanding activities into your routine while avoiding hurting your Achilles tendon. It’s important to remember that returning to high-intensity activities too soon after an accident can result in another bout of discomfort.
How Can a Physiotherapist at Physiocare Twyford, Reading Help?
Physiotherapy helps people recover from Achilles tendinopathy by addressing issues like discomfort, edoema, and a lack of strength, flexibility, or body control in the affected area. Together, you and your physiotherapist will create a tailored treatment plan to help you achieve your specific goals in the safest and most efficient manner possible. Your treatment may involve the following:
Education
Your physiotherapist in Twyford, Reading will work with you to identify any external variables that may be contributing to your pain, such as improper footwear or motions or exercises. Your physiotherapist will evaluate your footwear and provide recommendations for changes, as well as build a specific training programme to help you return to your favourite activities pain-free.
Pain management
Many pain-relieving measures can be used, including icing the affected area, bracing the affected leg, employing heel lifts, or using therapies like iontophoresis (an electrically charged medicinal patch applied on the skin to reduce pain and inflammation) or therapeutic ultrasound. These methods can help people use less pain medication, including opioids.
Manual therapy
Hands-on treatments may be used by your physiotherapist to gently move your muscles and joints in order to improve their motion and function. These methods are frequently used to treat areas that are tough to treat on your own.
Range-of-motion treatments
It’s possible that your ankle, foot, or knee joint isn’t moving properly, putting extra strain on your Achilles tendon. Self-stretching and manual treatment approaches (massage and movement) performed to the lower body can assist restore and normalise motion in the foot, ankle, knee, and hip.
Gentle exercise
It’s possible that your ankle, foot, or knee joint isn’t moving properly, putting extra strain on your Achilles tendon. Self-stretching and manual treatment approaches (massage and movement) performed to the lower body can assist restore and normalise motion in the foot, ankle, knee, and hip.
Muscle-strengthening exercises
Excessive tension on the Achilles tendon can be caused by muscle weakness or imbalance. Your physiotherapist will create a tailored, progressive lower-extremity resistance programme for you based on your specific condition to help correct any weakness-related movement mistakes that may be contributing to your pain.
Functional training
You’ll need to gradually return to more demanding tasks once your pain has subsided and your strength and range of motion have improved. It’s critical to educate your body safe, controlled motions to reduce the strain on the Achilles tendon and the danger of recurrent damage. Your physiotherapist will construct a series of activities based on your objectives and mobility assessment to assist you learn how to utilise and move your body correctly to safely complete the tasks required to achieve your goals.
If additional interventions are needed
Your physiotherapist will work with you following your procedure, such as injections, minimally invasive tendon procedures, or surgery, to help you regain motion, strength, and function.
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