Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Enfield South
Five Dock Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre proudly offer quality achilles tendonitis treatment to residents in Enfield South and surrounding suburbs.
The Achilles tendon is located behind the ankle joint and connects the heel bones to the calf muscles. It is the longest tendon in the body, and injury to the Achilles tendon is very common, particularly in runners.
Achilles tendonitis , literally meaning inflammation of the Achilles tendon, results in pain and sometimes swelling focused at the back of the heel. This often leads to extremely tight calf muscles, and pain upon walking.
Five Dock Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre offer quality physiotherapy care for achilles tendonitis.
Causes
Achilles tendonitis can be caused by over-use or persistent strain. In extreme cases of strain, the tendon may even rupture.
The most common causes of Achilles tendonitis include over-pronation and excessive exercise or walking. This can occur when exercising without an effective warm-up, playing sports which involve quick stops or sudden changes of direction (such as basketball). Achilles tendonitis can also occur from wearing high heels for prolonged periods, a sudden significant increase in physical activity without a graduated approach to training, wearing poorly fitting shoes, having bone spurs on the back of your heels, or just getting older as the Achilles tendon weakens with age! Rheumatoid arthritis and infection are both factors which are also linked to tendonitis.
The main symptom of Achilles tendonitis is pain or swelling on the back of the heel when walking or running. You may also experience tight calf muscles, limited range of motion when the foot is flexed, and the skin on the heel may also be warm to touch.
Treatment
The two main aims when treating Achilles tendonitis are to reduce the strain upon the tendon, and to reduce inflammation.
Unfortunately this usually means reducing high impact sports and running for a period of time and potentially wearing orthotics.
Anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce inflammation, especially when combined with ice treatment. Motion restriction may also help – this can be achieved by using a cast or boot.
Exercises that stretch the calf can also be used but only once the acute stage of the condition is passed.
Surgery is considered as a last resort for the treatment of severe cases of Achilles tendonitis, and is necessary if the tendon needs to be re-attached. Rehabilitation after surgery will generally allow return to normal activity within a period of 10 weeks, and to competitive sports in approximately 3 to 6 months.