Achilles tendinopathy

The band of tissue (tendon) that connects your lower leg muscles to your heel bone is injured when you have achilles tendinopathy. Around your heel, you could have pain, stiffness, and even edema. It happens frequently, especially if you're really active or participate in many sports.

The thickest and sturdiest tendon in your body is located in your Achilles tendon. It enables you to move your foot when you walk, run, climb, or jump because it joins your calf muscle to the bone in your heel.

Your Achilles tendon will deteriorate and stop functioning properly if you have Achilles tendinopathy. It typically becomes damaged over time from injuries and constant use. It may hurt and be more difficult to perform your normal tasks due to the injury.

Achilles tendinopathy is occasionally referred to as Achilles tendonitis. Your tendon is irritated, therefore this suggests. However, this word isn't really accurate because not all tendon injuries result in inflammation.

Achilles tendinopathy symptoms

• pain in your heel, either dull or sharp, and it may get worse after exerting pressure or after being active.
• Your tendon may be stiff, and this is frequently worse in the morning or after a period of rest.
• Your ankle's back is swollen.
• when you touch your tendon, you feel pain.
• as you move your ankle, you experience a creaking or grinding sound (crepitus).

Causes of Achilles tendinopathy

Overuse, or repeated stress on your Achilles tendon over time, is the typical cause of Achilles tendinopathy. Your tendon's structure may change as a result, and there may even be minor tears that weaken it.

Achilles tendinopathy can result from any sports or activities that strain your Achilles tendon. This covers activities like running and jumping, such as dancing, gymnastics, squash, and tennis. Additionally, you can be more vulnerable to Achilles tendon damage if you:

• employ subpar equipment, such as the incorrect footwear.
• have improper technique or inadequate preparation for the activity you are engaging in.
• Increase your exercise frequency or intensity all of a sudden.
• train on uneven or hard surfaces.

Additional factors that may increase your risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy include:

• aging - because as you become older, your Achilles tendon loses flexibility and stress tolerance.
• a history of the condition running in one's family.
• if you've already suffered an injury to your tendon or the muscles around it.
• having a chronic illness, such as diabetes, thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, or high cholesterol.
• having issues that impact your legs or feet.
• being extremely fat or overweight
• taking specific drugs, such as quinolone-group antibiotics, corticosteroids, or statins.

Diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy

In addition to asking you about your symptoms, your doctor or physiotherapist will check your leg, heel, and ankle. To see how well you can move your leg, they could ask you to perform a series of exercises or movements. To check your foot's movement, they could compress your calf muscle.

In order to look for more connected causes or disorders, they may also inquire about your medical history. Your doctor can examine your medication regimen to see if there are any that might have raised your risk of Achilles tendinopathy. They can also give you advice on whether you should stop taking them.

Your symptoms can typically identify achilles tendinopathy, and you won't typically require any additional testing.

Physiotherapy exercises for Achilles tendinopathy

Your Achilles tendon's strength and functionality can be improved with the aid of physiotherapy. For around six weeks, you might require two to three physiotherapy sessions per week.

For you to do, your physiotherapist will recommend a few exercises. Activities for achilles tendinopathy typically begin with some light stretches before transitioning to exercises known as eccentrics. These are workouts that are specifically made to gradually extend and stretch your Achilles tendon. They are renowned for working very well on Achilles tendinopathy. To obtain the most benefit from your Achilles tendinopathy exercises, you should likely perform them twice daily for at least three months.

If you feel the symptoms worsen, contact your physiotherapist, doctor immediately.

Ref.

bupa.co.uk