The Achilles tendon
is a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the calf muscle
of the leg. Injury to the tendon may cause it to become inflamed or
torn.
Achilles tendonitis is the term used when the
tendon is inflamed. The inflammation causes pain at the back of your
leg near the heel. A tear of the tendon is called a rupture. It also
causes pain near your heel.
Achilles tendonitis may be caused by:
Overuse of
the Achilles tendon
Tight calf
muscles from lack of stretching before and after exercising
Tight
Achilles tendon which has nothing to do with the muscle itself
directly
Lots of up
hill running
Increasing
the amount or intensity of sports training, sometimes along with
switching to racing flats, which are racing shoes with less heel
lift over-pronation, a problem where your feet roll inward and
flatten out more than normal when you walk or run.
Wearing
high heels at work and then switching to a lower heeled shoe for
exercise with out proper stretching before the activity
Achilles tendonitis causes pain and may cause
swelling over the Achilles tendon. The tendon is tender to the touch
and may appear swollen. You will have pain when you rise up on your
toes and pain when you attempt to stretch the tendon itself. The
range of motion will also be limited.
An Achilles tendon may tear during sudden
activity. For example the tendon might tear when you jump or start
sprinting. When the tendon tears or ruptures, you may feel a pop. If
there is a complete tear, you will be unable to lift your heel off
the ground or point your toes.
Treatment for these injuries include but are
not limited to the following:
Icing the
tendon and surrounding areas to 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3
hours on the acute stages or until the pain goes away when
resting.
Raise your
leg above head level to decrease swelling
Take
anti-inflammatory meds to help with pain and swelling
Wearing a
heel lift while the healing process occurs helps the tendon from
becoming over flexible
Stop any
exercise that directly effects your lower leg ( for example you
may try swimming instead of running
See a
physical therapist if the condition does not resolve in at least 2
weeks who will provide specific exercises and soft tissue
modalities to promote faster healing
Esthetics
will help if you have over pronation of the foot (flat feet or
fallen arches)
In severe
cases your foot may need to be put in a soft cast or if a complete
tear you will require surgery
The goal of physical therapy is to return you
to your sport or activity as soon as possible. You may return to
these activities when all of the following have been meet:
You have
full range of motion in comparison to the unaffected leg
You can
jog straight ahead without pain or limping
You can
sprint for 5 minutes without pain or limping
You can do
45 degree cuts, first at half speed then at full speed
You can do
20 yard figure eights, first at half speed then at full speed
You can do
90 degree cuts, first at half speed then at full speed
You can do
10 yard figure eights, first at half speed then at full speed
The best way to prevent Achilles tendon
injuries is to stretch your calf muscles and the tendon before and
after exercising. If you tend to have tight calf muscles and tendons
you need to stretch them everyday whether you exercise or not. If
you have developed a tendency to get Achilles tendonitis avoid any
uphill running or jogging. If you have any questions or concerns
about this article please feel free to stop in Advanced Physical
Therapy and ask our qualified staff.
