Achilles Tendonitis

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Achilles Tendonitis

If you presently have, or ever-experienced Achilles tendonitis, you will definitely want to learn more about the causes and treatment. Once your Achilles tendonitis is under control you will want to help prevent recurrence, as Achilles tendonitis is one of the most challenging conditions to treat if it becomes chronic.

What is Achilles Tendonitis?
The Achilles tendon is the tendon part of the Gastrocnemius muscle, commonly known as the calf muscle. Achilles tendinitis is when the Achilles tendon becomes swollen, inflamed, and painful along the tendon itself or at the attachment at back of the heel. The Gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon is key in all walking, running, and jumping. 

What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?
Since the calf muscle and tendon create the power needed to push off with the foot during walking and or go up on the toes it goes through tremendous exertion during the course of day and your lifetime. 

These are important muscles for walking. This tendon can become inflamed, most commonly as a result of overuse, improper shoe gear or repetitive injury. There are also less common causes related to infection and arthritis. 

Tendinitis due to overuse is most common in younger people. It can occur in walkers, runners, or other athletes. Sports like basketball that involve jumping put a large amount of stress on the Achilles tendon. Repeated jumping can lead to Achilles tendinitis.

Achilles tendinitis may be more likely to occur:

• After a sudden increase in the amount or intensity of an activity
• When the calf muscles are not stretched out and function very tight
• Middle-aged and the elderly are more likely to experience pain and inflammation about the Achilles tendon from arthritis and the overall stiffening process of aging. Sometimes a bone spur or boney growth about the back of the heel may develop. This spurring then can become a chronic source of irritation and swelling. 
  

Symptoms

1. Pain in about the back of the heel and along the tendon when standing, reaching, walking or running. Also, the area may feel painful and stiff especially in the morning.
2. The tendon may be painful to touch or during flexing the foot up and down. The skin over the tendon may be warm or appear to have a bulge. 
3. If the condition worsens, you may find it difficult to stand on one foot and flex up, like a dancer does.

Diagnosis
A comprehensive evaluation of the range of motion of the ankle and Gastrocnemius are most important. Also, physical palpation to the area and measuring any temperature increase.

Additionally, more diagnostic tests such as X-rays and an MRI may be completed to assess the status of the heel bone for spurs or arthritis and structure of the Achilles tendon to ensure that no tears are present.

Treatment
Depending on the length of time and the severity of the Achilles tendon pain, the treatment may be relatively straightforward with rest, stretching and change of shoe gear. It is key that a specialist assist in diagnosing the cause of the injury, so you can best prevent recurrence. Home stretching will be most important. Also, place ice over the Achilles tendon for 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times per day. Please note, if the area becomes numb, remove the ice. Do not use ice if you are a diabetic or have decreased skin sensitivity to light touch. 

If certain activities such as prolonged standing due to your job or for example running has contributed to your pain level, consider reducing the activity that causes the pain. Also, evaluate your walking and running surfaces and try the same, but reduced activity on a softer or flatter surface. Consider non-impact activities such as bike riding, swimming or treadmill. 

The more you reduce the cause of the pain, the faster the symptoms will go away.

REMEMBER: “AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION”, so daily strengthening and stretching of the calf will help your return to your normal activity level.

When home care is enough to reduce the pain and swelling, the home use of the Micro-Z Mini™ and conductive garment may be most helpful and required.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you have pain in the heel around the Achilles tendon that is worse with activity, contact your health care provider for evaluation and possible treatment for tendinitis.