Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is an annoying, and often very debilitating sports injury. It starts out as pain in or around the heel, but can quickly turn into a nightmare, as it can affect your everyday life. If you have heel pain, you may be suffering from achilles tendonitis. Read on to find out more about this sports injury, and what you can do to keep off the sidelines.

The Achilles Tendon

Made famous by Greek Mythology (or was it Roman?)The achilles tendon gets its name from the great warrior Achilles. His only weakness on the battlefield...that tiny tendon at the back of the heel. I don't really know the story exactly, but I know that heel pain can curb your athletic activities.
The achilles tendon is soft connective tissue that connects the Gastroc and Soleus muscles into the calcaneus. It is a rather large tendon, and is easily felt along the back of the heel. Sometimes referred to as the heel cord, it serves its purpose to provide an attachment of the calf muscles. A working achilles tendon allows you to point your toes, and to walk, run, jump, and do the Macarena.

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is simply an inflammation of a tendon, in this case, the achilles tendon. Inflammation can come in the form of swelling, pain, and possibly redness. Think of inflammation as a fire in the tissues. Some kind of stress is irritating the soft tissue, and thus causing pain, and a break down of the tissue fibers.

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What causes Achilles Tendonitis?

There are many different things that can cause this injury. Some of the most common include

-Poor Calf Flexibility
-Poor Footwear
-Weak or imbalanced muscles
-Excessive pronation at the foot
-Other biomechanical factors

Poor calf flexibility is a very common cause of achilles tendonitis. Excessive stress is placed on the achilles tendon when the calf muscles are tight.

Every time you raise up on your toes, or land from a jump, the tight muscles are stressed. When this occurs over and over, the tendon is overloaded, and it often becomes inflammed.

Footwear can play a role in achilles injury. Athletic shoes with poor arch support, a flexible or unstable heel box, and less than optimal upper support can allow excessive movement of the rearfoot during activities.

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Weak or imbalanced muscles, especially the calf muscles can lead to injury. If the muscles are not conditioned to withstand the stresses you are placing on them during activities, then these excessive stresses are transferred to the tendon, again leading to inflammation.

Biomechanical issues, such as restricted motion at the foot, knee, hips, or low back, as well as excessive pronation at the foot can also cause this injury.

Treating Achilles Tendonitis

Treatment for tendonitis should focus on finding the underlying problem and addressing it. Treating the symptoms with the R.I.C.E. Principles will be effective in reducing pain and the inflammation, however, without addressing the underlying cause, your pain will most likely return.

Calf stretching to improve flexibility, strengthening of the lower extremity muscles, choosing proper footwear, and addressing biomechanical problems is the key to treating this injury.

Preventing Achilles Tendonitis

Much like treatment, addressing the underlying causes can help to keep you off the sidelines. I can't say enough about having good flexibility. A routine of stretching, including your calf muscles, it important to keep your body working correctly. While many people out there say that stretching won't prevent injury, I know first hand poor flexibility and restricted motion will cause injury. So stretch - it won't hurt, and will help.

Make sure you have good shoes. Take the time to talk with your certified athletic trainer or family physician to determine your foot type, and spend the money for good athletic shoes.

And when you start to have pain or discomfort in your achilles, seek treatment early. There is nothing worse than letting it go, thinking it will get better on its own, and then realizing, 3 months later, that it is effecting the way you walk and live life. Or worse, you suffer an achilles tendon rupture

A Word of Warning

Achilles tendonitis left untreated, especially in older athletes, can eventually lead to an achilles tendon rupture. This is a serious injury, and generally requires surgery and major rehabilitation to recover from. As the tendonitis gets worse, the tendon becomes weaker and weaker, until finally rupturing. So, don't wait...take care of it early and prevent an unwanted surgery and lengthy rehab.

Summary

Achilles tendonitis can be a very annoying sports injury. With proper stretching, footwear, and good biomechanics of the lower extremity, it can be prevented. If you are already suffering from heel pain, follow the R.I.C.E. Principles to treat the symptoms, and then see your certified athletic trainer or physician for treatment options to address the underlying causes.

Do you have a question about the information on this page? If so, ask me and get an answer.

Or if you have experience with this topic, share your story...

Achilles Tendonitis ---> Return to Ankle Injuries