Achilles Tendinitis - Page 1

Written by Andrew Peters D.O. Registered Osteopath mailto:osteopath@eventrate.com

As we continue our journey down the leg, we reach the achilles tendon. This area is subjected to great forces as it helps to dissipate shock with each heel strike. As you may notice on reading this article, there is a common theme for the rehabilitation of many of the injuries written about; rest, stretching and strengthening. Now, read on…………

Achilles tendinitis presents as pain, swelling and tenderness located in the tendon running from the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is usually caused by prolonged, repetitive loading, and hence is very common in running. It is seen more often in middle-aged men, but can occur in either sex and at almost any age. It is believed that two thirds of all achilles tendon problems are actually peritendinitis. The achilles tendon runs through loose connective tissue which can become inflamed. Anything which then forces the tendon to rub through this inflamed channel (eg. running) will irritate the tissues further, thus the symptoms will increase with continued training, but ease with rest. Treatment of this condition should focus on reducing the inflammation, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) gels or tablets, or even hydrocortisone injections (approach with caution – may result in tendon necrosis and increased chance of rupture). Ice treatments are very useful, as is ultrasound therapy.

It is probably being over-simplistic to focus on one area eg. just the tendon or just the peritendinous tissues, when many tissues are often involved. It may, therefore, be useful to divide symptoms in to either acute or chronic.