Achilles Pain
The pain associated with Achilles tendinitis typically begins as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity.
What is Achilles Pain?
The achilles tendon attaches your calf muscles to your heel. It has a lot of work to do in walking running and in particular, jumping sports, dancing and other plyometric based activities.
Any number of issues with the tendon such as tendonitis, tendonosis, calcific tendonitis, tendon tear, tenosynovitis, paratendonitis may be the cause, which is important as each will be treated slightly differently.
Sometimes, the pressure at the forefoot, or a restriction in the first MTPJ (Big toe joint) can be the issue and so solely focusing on the achilles itself may not help.
What is the cause?
The achilles is very strong, when in tact and loaded evenly, which is why foot posture and foot biomechanics are important when trying to settle the pain.
Mid portion and insertional achilles problems are also treated quite differently, and may also involve local bursae (fluid sacks) or other tendons in the area.
An os trigonum, and extra bone which sits just behind the ankle can sometimes present as achilles pain, so in some stubborn cases its worth ruling out its presence.
What is the treatment?
Typically, the achilles is stiff and sore in the morning as most inflammatory or tendonitis presents, which warms up with movement. In more chronic cases, or if under a lot of fatigue it can come back as an ache in the evening.
Heel lifts, isometric and eccentric strength, footwear, taping and orthoses can help settle the pain quickly. As strength and load tolerance increases, activity can start to increase, with plyometric (running/jumping) activity being the most provocative.
Get relief for your achilles pain.
Visit us at one of our locations in the Sutherland Shire or Wollongong.