Achilles Tendinopathy
Do you experience a dull pain in your Heel/ achilles tendon/at the back of your ankle joint?
Does it feel unstable as you walk?
Does this limit you from your normal levels of activities?
Do you limp after you have finished a run,walk or jog?
Do you feel it is difficult to put weight through your painful heel?
Different names:
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles Tendonosis
Calcific Tendinosis
Heel pain
Bone spur
What is Achilles Tendinopathy?
Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel /calcaneum bone in the ankle.
Tendinopathy is referred to as an injury is caused due to continuous and repetitive stress on the tendons. It can be caused due to explosive and vigorous movements that the tendon fails to bear which causes “A grumpy tendon” or irritation in the tendon tissues. This causes pain, swelling and sometimes even a lump on your heel.
Possible Symptoms?
Pain in walking/running/ jogging.
Pain while taking the stairs (specially climbing)
Pain while you try to run/walk/jog a hill (specially uphill)
Pain while squatting.
Pain that could possibly disturb your sleep.
Pain while doing single leg activities like hops or ballets dances
Pain while jumping or dancing.
Do I need any scans?
NO! Through a detailed assessment a diagnosis of the extent of damage to the achilles tendon can be made by your Physio.
Once we thoroughly assess your tendon, If we think you need a scan, then we can refer you to get one.
If you already have scans that have been done in the past, bring them in! With the help of the scans plus our assessment, we can teach you what is happening in your tendon and the relevance of the findings with your pain.
Is it treatable or do I have to just put up with it?
Of course it’s treatable! We will make sure that you don’t have to put up with it!
Working with a Physio, we can help you understand how to make your muscles stronger and reduce your pain first - Making the grumpy tendon happy again. We will make sure we get your pain sorted by some hands on therapy or dry needling to keep you moving. We will guide you on how to load your tendons and the muscles appropriately with exercises which would give a long term relief rather than just a quick bandaid fix.
We LOVE challenges so make sure you tell us what you want your final goal is and we will get you there. Even if it is Climbing Machu Picchu or the Montrose Fire trail!
Let's make your tight calf muscles relax in order to eventually build them up with some challenging exercises. Give these a try:
(Video with Calf release and bent leg single leg calf raise).
Will I require a cortisone injection or Surgery?
No you don’t require a cortisone injection for this. It’s usually a “bandaid fix” for the pain and the pain usually returns in 6-8 weeks, without addressing the source of the irritation. (It is an ‘easy fix’ to decrease the inflammation but not a permanent fix) -delete
No, latest research and evidence suggests that surgery is not required for achilles tendinopathy.