The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the ankle joint. This tendon is a fibrous band that connects the end of each of our muscles to a bone. In the case of the Achilles tendon, it is at the bottom of the calf muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) and attaches into our heel bone (calcaneus). The role of the Achilles tendon is to aid walking by lifting the heel off the ground. Achilles Tendonitis refers to pain in this tendon. The correct term is now considered Achilles Tendinopathy, as increasing evidence suggests that Achilles tendon pain is due to degenerative changes in the tendon.
Symptoms
Pain can be dull or sharp anywhere along the back of the tendon. It may be tender to touch, or a palpable nodule may develop in the tendon. Achilles pain usually starts after high-impact or high-intensity activities, making it an overuse injury. These activities put too much stress on the tendon too quickly.
Because of the Achilles tendon’s location, pain occurs when walking, standing, or hopping, making daily activities like walking and taking the stairs difficult. Another major symptom of Achilles tendinopathy is early morning stiffness, which occurs when first getting up. This stiffness can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
What to Do?
Your Chartered Physiotherapist will assess your lower leg to diagnose the pain and identify contributing factors. Treatment may include:
- Deep tissue release
- Dry needling
- Orthotics (corrective shoe insoles) to address foot biomechanical issues
Footwear is also key to recovery, so ensure you wear supportive shoes that are not worn out.
A rehabilitation program is an essential part of treatment. Research shows that loading the tendon with weight in specific positions helps it heal faster, promoting recovery from Achilles tendon pain.
If you suffer from Achilles tendon pain, pop into us at Motion Physio Clinic, Prosperous, Tel: 045 841010, or Book Online. I can perform an assessment, give you a diagnosis and treat you as required.