Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles Tendinitis tends to arise suddenly or within a few days. It is usually due to a tendon strain or overloading the tendon during exercise. The tissue in your Achilles Tendon has become inflamed.
An injury or specific event has happened in your past that caused a strain or tearing of the achilles tendon is most likely how achilles tendonitis develops. When the fibers of a tendon are torn, they become inflamed and swollen. This causes pain and tenderness in the area which can also result in difficulty flexing the foot during regular movements, such as walking and jumping.
Most commonly, this condition is seen in athletes who sit at a desk all week and then plays softball or tennis on the weekend. This tendon strain (mild tears) can then create inflammation and pain that can lead to tendinitis. This condition can also arise if the tendon is strained from a sudden trauma such as a fall or misstep.
Achilles tendinitis can occur at the insertion point of the tendon (referred to as insertional tendinitis) at the calcaneus (heel bone) or mid way up the Achilles tendon (referred to as non-insertional tendinitis). The most common area to be affected by acute tendinitis is approximately 1/3 of the way up the tendon, 2.5 inches from where it attaches to the heel bone. This part of the Achilles tendon is at most risk of tendinitis and other tendon injuries because it receives less blood flow than other parts of the tendon.
An injury or specific event has happened in your past that caused a strain or tearing of the achilles tendon is most likely how achilles tendonitis develops. When the fibers of a tendon are torn, they become inflamed and swollen. This causes pain and tenderness in the area which can also result in difficulty flexing the foot during regular movements, such as walking and jumping.
Most commonly, this condition is seen in athletes who sit at a desk all week and then plays softball or tennis on the weekend. This tendon strain (mild tears) can then create inflammation and pain that can lead to tendinitis. This condition can also arise if the tendon is strained from a sudden trauma such as a fall or misstep.
Achilles tendinitis can occur at the insertion point of the tendon (referred to as insertional tendinitis) at the calcaneus (heel bone) or mid way up the Achilles tendon (referred to as non-insertional tendinitis). The most common area to be affected by acute tendinitis is approximately 1/3 of the way up the tendon, 2.5 inches from where it attaches to the heel bone. This part of the Achilles tendon is at most risk of tendinitis and other tendon injuries because it receives less blood flow than other parts of the tendon.
What are the Symptoms of Acute Achilles Tendinitis
If you are suffering from acute Achilles tendinitis you will most likely be experiencing:
- Pain that occurs abruptly following a tendon strain, usually part way up the Achilles tendon.
- Sharp pain at the beginning of activity that decreases in intensity as exercise progresses.
- Pain that returns after exercise or after long periods of inactivity.
- Pain may subside when the Achilles tendon is allowed to rest.
- Pain becomes most significant when pushing off or jumping.
- Stiffness in your Achilles tendon when you wake up in the morning.
- Tender and warm to the touch.
- The Achilles tendon is irritated by heat but feels good when treated with cold compression and rest.
Acute Achilles tendonitis may be caused by:
- Improper stretching before and after running and jumping exercises.
- Changes in foot wear (i.e. high heels, poor running shoes).
- An inflexible Achilles tendon (i.e. tendon with scar tissue from previous injury or wear and tear).
- An increase in training, training on uneven terrain or a change in terrain (i.e. hills).
- Weak or inflexible calf muscles (gastrocnemius or soleus muscles).
Achilles tendinitis is one of those injuries that can really bring down the quality of your life. Anyone, young or old, can suffer from this injury. As well as stopping you from enjoying an active life, Achilles tendinitis can even start interrupting your normal, every day tasks
For more info on the Achilles and a wealth of other information about this part of the body and the ailments that you can experience as a result of injury and disease please go to our site https://aidmyachilles.com/
