What is the Achilles Tendon
The Achilles Tendon is probably the biggest and strongest tendon in the body. The Achilles Tendon is a strong fibrous collagen tissue that joins the calf muscle to the heel bone. The gastrocnemius (Gastrocnemius is a large muscle located in the posterior leg ) and soleus muscles (The soleus is a muscle in the calf that runs from directly behind the knee) join at the base of the calf muscle. The tendon plays an important part in your capability to walk, stand and put pressure on your toes.
What Can Cause Achilles Tendonitis Pain
Tendonitis — also known as tendinitis. As people get older and put on weight, blood flow to the lower limbs is reduced, In the case of diabetes, the blood flow can become critical. If Achilles Tendon injury occurs the repair process can be delayed due to poor circulation. This is especially so in the feet and heel area. This prejudices the Achilles tendon and can include a total tear or a partial rupture. Achilles tendon tears most frequently happen in people taking part in recreational sports. When you are not regularly exercising, building strength into your calves, the sudden strain from weekend sport without proper preparation can be detrimental. Merely using a twisting motion in standard sports without proper warm-up and stretching can cause Achilles Tendon pain. Males are five times more likely than females to tear this tendon.
Achilles Tendon Pain can be caused by an inflammation and degeneration of the Achilles tendon, and should not be left untreated as there is a risk of rupture. Individuals who suffer from Achilles tendonitis often complain that their first steps out of bed in the morning are extremely painful. Another common complaint is pain after steps are taken after long periods of sitting. This pain often lessens with activity. The most common cause is over-pronation. Over-pronation occurs in the gait cycle, when the arch collapses upon weight bearing, adding stress on the Achilles tendon.
What Are The Symptoms Of Achilles Tendonitis Pain
When the tendon is ruptured, the individual may experience a snapping feeling a perhaps even hear a pop. After the tear, people have a hard time standing up on their toes. It works a little bit like a lever and a fulcrum. The leg is balanced on the ankle over the foot. The leg is the lever, the ankle is the fulcrum and the foot is the base. The Achilles Tendon is the stable force on one side of the lever and effects your ability to stand on your toes or keep stable and balanced.
A sudden compression of the calf muscles can strain, damage or rupture the Achilles Tendon, leaving you in pain and starting you down a rehabilitation and recovery journey that you never intended to start. If you have an injury to your Achilles Tendon, it is a clever idea to get a clinical evaluation immediately.
What is the treatment for Achilles Tendonitis Pain
If you feel the snapping feeling or hear the pop of the Achilles Tendon, you need to get help straight away. Scans will show if there is a tear or rupture that requires surgery. If you have injured the Achilles Tendon you may be able to have non-surgical treatment and rest. Rehabilitation may require Immobilisation by wearing a protective boot or cast. Achilles Tendonitis without rupture will benefit from correct alignment using Custom orthotics to prevent pronation, myotherapy and an exercise program is required to rehabilitate Achilles Tendonitis injury.
What Can Strengthen And Help To Prevent Achilles Tendonitis Pain
VFAS Custom Orthotics can reduce the impact of your feet when doing exercise. The weight bearing orthotic will increase stability and alignment, which will strengthen other areas of your feet, ankle and lower limbs. Correcting over pronation with proper alignment. Combined this with low impact stretching, warm-up and strengthening of the calf muscles, not bouncing during stretching.