Achilles tendinopathy – Achilles tendonitis – Achilles tendon tendinosis

Description Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.

Tendinopathy is called tendon injury. This may cause pain, edema, and limit motion. Injuries may include:

• Tendinitis – inflammation of the tendon (although this term is often used, In most cases, tendinopathy have no significant inflammation);
• Tendynoz – microtrauma (tiny breaks) in tendon tissue, without significant inflammation.

Restoring the proper functioning of the Achilles tendon in the tendinopathy may take several months.

Causes

Tendinopathy, usually, caused by excessive strain on the muscle tendon. Over time,, load on the tendon causes structural changes in the tendon.

The load on the Achilles tendon increases in cases:

• With increasing speed or running long distances too quickly;
• Included in the training program running on rough terrain or stairs uplifts;
• Uprahneny without first performing a workout;
• A sudden reduction in calf muscles, eg, during the sprint;
• A large number of running exercises;
• The lack of flexibility of the calf muscles.

Risk factors

Factors, which increase the chances of getting Achilles tendinopathy include:

• Improper wearing shoes;
• Improper warm-up before doing exercises;
• The rigidity of the calf muscles;
• The sharp cooling of the muscles;
• Improper training program.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include tendinopathy:

• Soreness – typically located at 3-5 centimeters above the, where the tendon attaches to the heel bone (particularly noticeable in the morning after waking);
• Stillness, which gradually weakened as heating tendon;
• Pain after activity, that increases with time;
• Pain in the area of ​​the tendon while running;
• Swelling in the area of ​​the Achilles tendon.

Diagnostics

Doctor, probably, able to make a diagnosis on the basis of visual inspection. If the symptoms are not well understood, may require additional inspection:

• Roentgen – to see, If the tendon has salt deposits;
• MRT – to explore the field of internal damage to the tendon.

Treatment tendinopathy

Recreation

It is necessary to stop the activities, that caused the tendinopathy. Switch to exercise, which does not cause load on the tendons. It is necessary to avoid lifting up and walking on uneven. A good option would be swimming lessons.
Physical activity should be increased gradually. To reduce the pain in the Achilles tendon is necessary to apply ice.

Orthopedics

It is necessary to wear shoes with special inserts. This support foot in the correct position during walking and running.

Physiotherapy

• Stretching;
• Massage;
• Warming ultrasound;
• Strengthening exercises, focused on the calf muscles.

Medications

Can alleviate symptoms using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). They may be useful for alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. Medication must be combined with other therapies. To reduce pain can also apply special drugs (eg, Creams, plasters), are applied to the skin at the site of inflammation.

Prevention

To reduce the likelihood of tendinopathy must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Before playing sports is necessary to warm up;
• For sports must use appropriate footwear;
• No need to use sports shoes longer manufacturer's recommendations. It depends on the:
• Frequency of training;
• Surface, which are training;
• Training conditions;
• Regularly stretch and strengthen the calf muscles.