Achilles Pain
Posterior leg and heel pain is a common area of pain for many people and typically involves the Achilles tendon. The Achilles is the largest tendon in the human body and connects the calf muscles to the posterior heel bone. Three common conditions associated with Achilles pain are tendinitis, tendinosis, and tendon rupture.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon causing inflammation, swelling, and pain and most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It’s also common in middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis or basketball, and only on the weekends.
Symptoms
The pain associated with Achilles tendinitis typically begins as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity. As it progresses, the pain is before and after running, and ultimately before, during, and after running. Episodes of more-severe pain may occur after prolonged running, stair climbing or sprinting. You might also experience tenderness or stiffness, especially in the morning, which usually improves with mild activity.
When to see a Physical Therapist or Doctor
If you experience persistent pain around the Achilles tendon, call and set up an appointment with us today or call your doctor to get a script for therapy. Your doctor may get x-rays to see if you have a bone spur or Haglund’s deformity, both of which create more stress on the tendon.
Physical Therapy is often recommended and usually necessary to prevent recurring episodes. More serious cases of Achilles tendinitis can lead to tendon tears and ruptures that may require surgical repair.
Early intervention and Physical Therapy is the key to avoiding chronic tendon tears/rupture.
Seek immediate medical attention if the pain or disability is severe as you may have a torn (ruptured) Achilles tendon.
Elite Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine’s Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
Our Anti-gravity Treadmill (AlterG) is perfect for runners and athletes who want to avoid Achilles tendonitis while training or who may have some symptoms of Achilles tendonitis but want to continue to train without aggravating or placing more stress on the tendon.
Get more information on the AlterG under our services tab. Treatments that are used at our clinic that have been effective in eliminating Achilles pain are Dry Needling, Graston Technique, Applied Functional Science, Cupping, Manual therapy, and Kinesio Tape.
Achilles Tendinosis
The term tendinosis refers to the non-inflammatory, degeneration of the collagen fibers in a tendon. This tissue breakdown is caused by the failure of the fibers to heal fast enough or correctly. The rate of tissue damage exceeds the healing process and eventually the accumulation of damage makes it impossible for the tissue to heal properly. The collagen fibers deteriorate to a point where the once straight, strong, flexible bundle is weakened by abnormally formed fibers. With frequent straining, the healing cycle of the tendon falls behind the cycle of re-injury.
Tendinosis can occur following an acute injury to the Achilles tendon, however, it does not appear until long after the injury occurs. If an acute injury is not given enough rest to heal, re-injury may continue to occur faster than the tendon can heal. This will eventually lead to degeneration of the collagen fibers as well.
Symptoms
Since there is no inflammation with tendinosis you will not experience swelling, heat or redness. However, you will experience pain, tenderness and stiffness at the back of the ankle where the tissue degeneration has occurred. An obvious knot or nodule may also be present.
When to see a Physical Therapist or Doctor
If you are experiencing tendinosis-type symptoms, you should have seen a Physical Therapist or Doctor well before now. You need to schedule an appointment now and start treatment to avoid any type of tendon rupture.
Elite Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine’s Treatment of Achilles Tendinosis
Improving and increasing blood flow and blood supply to the degenerative tissue is vital with this condition.
Techniques that we use that improve blood flow are Dry Needling, Cupping, Graston Technique, Manual therapy, and Kinesio Tape. We also offer state-of-the-art compression therapy that has been shown to be very successful in improving blood flow and decreasing tissue tightness.
Achilles Tendon Rupture
An Achilles tendon rupture is a full or partial tear of the Achilles tendon. This acute (sudden) injury occurs when the tendon stretches to its breaking point. It happens most frequently while playing sports. Tripping, falling or twisting your ankle can also cause an Achilles tear. Ruptures are very common sports injuries. They occur most frequently in people ages 30 to 40 and are more common in men than in women. People who are “weekend warriors” (usually adults who don’t train regularly, then exercise at a high intensity) are more likely to tear an Achilles tendon than younger, well-trained athletes.
Symptoms
The classic sign of a ruptured Achilles tendon is feeling (and sometimes hearing) a pop or snap at the back of your ankle. People often mistakenly think something has hit them, but they’re actually feeling the tendon snap.
Other common symptoms include:
- Sharp, sudden pain in the back of the ankle near the heel.
- Swelling and bruising in the back of the ankle.
- Pain when walking, especially upstairs or uphill.
- Tenderness in the spot where the tendon is torn.
When to see a Physical Therapist or Doctor
A torn Achilles tendon is a traumatic injury that requires medical attention. Without treatment, an Achilles tendon rupture may not heal properly. This can increase your risk of rupturing it again. Your Doctor may also use imaging tests — such as ultrasound or MRI — to determine the extent of the Achilles tear.
Most providers recommend surgical repair of a torn Achilles tendon in people who are active and middle-aged or younger. During surgery, a surgeon commonly stitches the two ends of the torn tendon back together. After surgery, you’ll more than likely be placed into a cast or walking boot to immobilize the tendon while it heals. You will need physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in your Achilles tendon, whether or not you had surgery.
Elite Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine’s Treatment of Achilles Tendon Repair
Treatment for Achilles repair is similar to the above methods in where increasing blood flow, tissue extensibility, strength, and function are the focus. Our AlterG Treadmill will be able to get you weight-bearing and walking significantly faster than other rehab clinics in the area.