Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment is administered to speed up healing of patients
suffering from pain and swelling in the Achilles tendon
Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment is administered to patients suffering from pain, swelling and
stiffness of the Achilles tendon that joins the heel bone to the calf muscles.
What is Achilles Tendinopathy?
Achilles Tendinopathy is a condition caused by pain in the tendon or a combination of pain and swelling in the Achilles tendon due to overuse or injury.
It is also known or associated with:
- Achilles Tendinitis which refers to inflammation of the tendon
- Achilles Tendinosis caused by tiny tears or injuries in the tendon
without or with very little inflammation
Achilles tendinopathy with its associated pain and swelling may take time to resolve.
These are some possible symptoms, causes and treatments:
Symptoms of Achilles Tendinopathy
- Pain and swelling in the Achilles tendon area
- Pain during and after running
- Pain worsens after activity
- Tenderness/pain in the morning or from sitting position
- Stiffness decreased with gradual warm up
What Causes Achilles Tendinopathy?
- Too much running
- Running too fast for long distances
- Over use especially after taking some time off from running
- Muscle strain due to sprint or sudden burst of speed
- Sudden use of strenuous exercise routine like hill and stairs climbing
- Lacking flexibility of the muscle
Achilles Tendinopathy
Treatment
- Supportive care
- Rest with restrictive movements
- Ice therapy to relive pain and inflammation
- Shoe inserts if necessary
- Ankle Tape
- Over the counter/prescription drug for pain if needed.
- Physical therapy assessment
- Ultrasound
- Massage
- Exercise Program
- Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy/ ESWT
Shockwave Therapy is becoming a popular treatment for Achilles tendinopathy and uses either low energy (0.08mj/mm2) at low frequency or using higher energy levels (0.12mj/mm2)
Setting
Anywhere up to 0.5mj/mm2, 5.0 bar or 185mj depending on pain tolerance normally 10hz for 2000 shocks.
Frequency
Repeated every 5-7 days. With average 3 – 4 sessions or as required to eliminate the pain.
