The Achilles tendon links the thigh to the calcaneus and spans the rear portion of the lower extremity. When the tendon is stretched too much, it can get swollen and painful. This is called Achilles tendinitis.
The biggest tendon in the body is Achilles tendon. It can handle a lot of pressure, but it can still get hurt.
Achilles tendinitis usually happens when the tendon gets tiny tears from doing lots of intense exercise, like running.
If it’s not treated, the tendon may tear or even break. In some cases, changing or resting how you exercise might help. But in more serious cases, surgery might be needed.
Treatment
Treatment for Achilles tendinitis aims to alleviate pain and decrease swelling, with the approach tailored to the seriousness of the condition and the patient’s athletic status.
A merging of strategies is typically recommended by the doctor, which may include:
Ice packs
Putting in this to the tendon, particularly after exercise or when experiencing pain, can help ease discomfort and inflammation.
Rest
Allowing the affected tissue period to heal is crucial. The extent of rest required varies depending on symptom severity, ranging from reducing workout intensity for mild cases to total rest for some days or some weeks in severe instances.
Elevation
Placing the foot elevated above heart level can aid in reducing swelling.
Pain relief
NSAIDs like ibuprofen may be suggested to alleviate swelling and pain, though individuals with certain medical conditions should consult a doctor first.
Steroid injections
While cortisone injections can decrease tendon swelling, they come with a chance of tendon rupture. Administering the injection under ultrasound guidance can help mitigate this risk.
Orthotic devices and Compression bandages
Shoe inserts and Ankle supports can assist in recovery by alleviating stress on the tendon. Heel takes up may benefit individuals with insertional Achilles tendinitis by positioning the foot off from the shoe back.
The healing process typically spans from days to 6 weeks for Achilles tendinitis to resolve.
Surgery
Surgery is an option to fix the Achilles tendon if it’s really hurt because of tendinitis. Doctors might suggest procedure if the pain doesn’t go away for at least 6 months.
One common surgery is called gastrocnemius recession. In this surgery, doctors make of the calf muscles longer. This helps the ankle move more freely.
Stretches and exercises
Doctor can show you special stretches and exercises to make your muscles more flexible and stronger, which can help if you have Achilles tendinitis.
There are two exercises the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests:
Calf Stretch
- Stand facing a wall and put your hands on it for support.
- Keep one foot firmly on the ground with the straight leg, while positioning the other front of the foot with the bent to the knee.
- Bend your hips forward to the wall and clutch that position for 10 seconds..
- Take it easy and do this exercise again 20 rates for each foot.
Bilateral Heel Drop
- Stand on the edge of a step with only the front part of your feet on the step and your heels hanging off the edge. Hold onto a railing or something sturdy for balance.
- Slowly take up your heels up as high as you can, then lower them back down towards possible.
- Repeat this 20 times.
Remember, it’s important to do these exercises slowly and carefully. Doing them too quickly could make the problem worse.
These exercises can help your Achilles tendon cure and stop future injuries. They’re especially good for Achilles tendinitis that isn’t deep in the tendon.
Symptoms
Achilles tendinitis usually starts with mild discomfort and gets worse over time.
You might notice:
- Soreness in the tendon a few inches more than where it connects to the calcaneus.
- Your lower leg feeling slow, stiff, or fatigue.
- Feeling a little pain in the back of your leg after exercising or running, which gets worse over time.
- You might feel increased pain in your Achilles tendon while moving or a few hours afterward.
- Increased pain when you run fast, for a lengthy period, or when going up stairs.
- Swelling or a lump forming in your Achilles tendon.
- Your Achilles tendon making a creaking sound when you touch or move it.
These signs can mean you have Achilles tendinitis. It’s important to pay attention to them and see a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis
There are different reasons why you might have these symptoms, so it’s important to see a doctor to figure out what’s going on.
When you see the doctor, they’ll ask you questions about how you’re feeling and examine your leg. They might gently to be in contact with the back of your tendon and ankle to see where it hurts or feels swollen.
The doctor will also check how well your foot and ankle can move to see if they’re not working as they should.
Sometimes, the doctor might want to do more tests, like an ultrasound scan, x-ray, or MRI. These tests can help rule out other possible reasons for your swelling and pain, and they can also show if there’s any harm to your tendon.
Possible Complications
Tendinitis can sometimes turn into Achilles tendinosis, which is when the tendon starts to change and become weaker. This makes it more likely to get seriously hurt, like tearing the tendon, which can be really painful.
Tendinosis and tendinitis are not the same. Tendinitis is when the tendon gets inflamed, but it is a different problem. It’s like a breakdown of the tendon’s cells, and there’s no inflammation. Sometimes, tendinosis gets mistaken for tendinitis. It’s important to get the right diagnosis from your doctor so you can get the best diagnosis.
Causes
Tendinitis can happen for different reasons. Some are easy to avoid, but knowing about them can help doctors diagnose it early and prevent serious harm.
This tendinitis is more casual in younger, active people. It’s when the centre fibers of the tendon starts breaking down, thickening, and swelling.
Insertional Achilles tendinitis isn’t always because of activity. It damages the lower part of the tendon where it connects to the calcaneus.
Reasons for Achilles tendinitis include:
- Wearing wrong or old shoes for exercising or running.
- Not warming up correctly before exercise.
- Suddenly making exercise harder, like running faster or longer.
- Adding stair climbing or hill running too soon to your workout.
- Running hard or bumpy surfaces.
- Having a calf muscle injury or it’s not flexible enough, so it strains the Achilles tendon.
- Doing intense activities suddenly, like sprinting.
- Differences in the shape of your leg, foot, or ankle can also cause Achilles tendinitis. Low arches or flat feet or can stress the tendon.
Bone goads are more bits of bone that grow to the tendon meets the bone. They can wipe against the tendon and cause damage and pain.
Some antibiotics, like fluoroquinolones, can raise the chance of tendon tears and tendinitis. In 2008, the FDA inquire for a warning on drugs like Cipro and Factive about this chance. Even after you stop taking these antibiotics, the risk of tendon problems can stick around. Some people have had tendon issues months after they stopped taking the medicine.
Prevention
While you can’t completely stop Achilles tendinitis from happening, you can lower the chances of getting it by being careful and taking some steps.
The following are the steps:
Mix up your exercises
Instead of doing the same thing every day, switch between activities that are hard on your Achilles tendon, like running, and ones that are easier, like swimming. This gives your tendon a break sometimes.
Don’t overdo certain exercises
Doing too much running or other tough activities can strain your Achilles tendon too much.
Wear the right shoes and change them when they get worn out
Shoes that encourage your arch and cushion your heel put less stress on your tendon.
Use arch supports in your shoes if needed
Sometimes, your shoes are fine, but they don’t give enough support to your arch. Inserts can help with that.
Build up your workouts slowly
If you suddenly make your workouts much harder, it can strain your tendon. Start slow and gradually do more. This gives your muscles some time to warm up and puts less stress on your tendon.
It’s important to do physical movements up before and after you exercise. Stretching keeps your Achilles tendon supple, which lowers the chance of getting tendinitis. Exercising every day, even on days when you rest, helps keep you flexible.
Summary
Achilles tendinitis can’t always be avoided, but you can reduce your risk by taking precautions like wearing supportive shoes and varying your exercises. Stretching and warming up before and after workouts can keep your Achilles tendon flexible and less prone to injury.
Gradually increasing exercise intensity and avoiding overdoing certain activities can also help. If you do develop Achilles tendinitis, treatments include rest, ice packs, pain relief medication, and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary, but early diagnosis and prevention efforts can often prevent serious injury.
