Achilles Tendonitis Guide for Runners
Achilles tendonitis is a common injury for runners. It can be treated with self-care strategies, but if it persists or worsens, the runner should see a physiotherapist for diagnosis and treatment. This article will provide you with some of the most important information about Achilles tendonitis so you can recognize it when it happens to you, know what treatments are available, and how to prevent it in the future.
Achilles tendonitis may also be called Achilles heel pain or Achilles tendinopathy. Achilles tendonitis develops when your calf muscle contracts too hard while walking or running because of tightness in your calf muscles (tendons). When this happens repeatedly over time, wearing away at the Achilles tendon can cause it to become inflamed or injured. Achilles tendonitis is most common in runners because running puts a lot of impact on the Achilles tendon with every foot strike, especially for long distances when you are fatigued and your muscles do not function as well. It affects both male and female athletes who run at all levels from recreational jogging to competitive marathoners. Achilles tendonitis is the most common running injury and it typically occurs in one leg initially, but then can also affect the other leg as well.
Common Causes of Achilles Tendonitis in Runners
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel. This area of high tension can be a source of running-related injuries such as Achilles Tendonitis. There are many causes for this condition including overuse, tight calves, improper footwear (heels), or an underlying condition like diabetes. Running on hard surfaces can also increase your risk of this injury because you land with more force than when running on soft surfaces which causes more stress on your foot and ankle joints. Additionally, Achilles tendinopathy can also cause an inflamed bursa sac near the heel. The most common risk factors are poor biomechanics (flat feet), tight calf muscles, lack of flexibility in the plantar fascia ligament on both sides of your foot (overpronation), high-heeled shoes that don’t offer enough support for your arch area, too much training without adequate rest periods between workouts, wearing worn-out running shoes with no cushioning left underfoot.
Chronic Achilles Tendinitis versus Acute Achilles Rupture
Achilles tendon rupture and Achilles tendonitis (or Achilles tendinitis) are both common injuries to the Achilles Tendon. Achilles tendon ruptures occur when the Achilles Tendon is either stretched beyond its capacity or torn because of a sudden change in direction during physical activity. Achilles Tendon ruptures usually occur near the midportion of the Achilles tendon while Achilles Tendonitis typically affects both the superficial and deep portion of the Achilles tendon.
Muscle imbalances in runners can cause microtears within muscles, leading to pain and swelling. Achilles tendinitis is caused by overuse of repetitive movements such as running or jumping. Untreated Achilles Tendinitis can result in Achilles Tendon tears or ruptures. Your doctor may recommend rest from physical activity until your Achilles tendon pain subsides. Then you’ll need to do exercises to strengthen your foot and ankle muscles to prevent future injuries.
How Can Physiotherapy Help with Achilles Tendonitis?
Physiotherapy is a process of evaluating and aiding individuals with movement, postural, and functional impairments.
Physiotherapy for Achilles Tendonitis will help patients regain their balance, strength, and mobility using various techniques such as stretching exercises, and manual therapy techniques like massage. Your physiotherapist may also recommend orthotics or prescription footwear if necessary to protect your foot while it heals.
Physiotherapy for Achilles Tendonitis aims at restoring pain-free movement of the Achilles tendon. Physiotherapy treatment is most effective when Achilles Tendonitis is diagnosed early.
How can Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) work to heal Achilles tendonitis?
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a procedure in which sound waves are applied through the skin to the Achilles tendon.
Extracorporeal shockwave treatment is generally used in Achilles tendonitis cases when patients have not responded well to conservative treatments, including anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy, and stretching exercises.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is administered by positioning the Achilles tendon in the front of a probe that emits sound waves up to 10 times per second. The Achilles tendon absorbs these waves and then transfers them deep into the Achilles tendon. The goal of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis is to stimulate the healing of the Achilles tendon.
The success rate for extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis is about 70%. Physiotherapy focuses on preventing Achilles tendon injuries and Achilles tendon pain by keeping the Achilles tendon flexible, strong, and balanced.
Your Physiotherapist may use a variety of techniques to help you with Achilles Tendonitis such as massage, ultrasound treatments, electrical stimulation, ice therapy, hot pack therapy, and stretching exercises.
A stabilizing exercise program aimed at strengthening the muscles that surround the Achilles tendon can be helpful in building strength and endurance around your Achilles Tendon so you can decrease the risk of future injury.
You’ll also work on exercises to strengthen your foot and lower leg muscles such as your hamstring and calf muscles so they support your Achilles Tendon.
Benefits of MAGNETOLITH Extracorporeal Transduction Therapy (EMTT) in chronic and acute cases
Standard benefits:
- Achilles tendonitis will heal faster with less risk of reoccurrence.
- Achilles tendon pain will subside more quickly.
Emotional benefits:
- You’ll be able to resume your normal activities without worrying about Achilles Tendon injury or Achilles Tendon pain.
- Your Achilles Tendon will feel stronger, more balanced and less susceptible to injury
Extracorporeal Transduction Therapy (EMTT) has been proven as an effective treatment option in reducing chronic and acute pain symptoms. Our therapy can help with back, neck, shoulder, knee or hip injuries; headaches; fibromyalgia; arthritis; tendonitis; carpal tunnel syndrome; sports injuries such as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. It also helps reduce muscle spasms from stroke rehabilitation patients. EMFT works best when used in conjunction with other therapies such as physiotherapy but it has shown effectiveness on its own too!
INDIBA’s biostimulation in sub-acute and chronic conditions of tendinopathies
INDIBA’s Biostimulation is a procedure that consists of the delivery of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) through a non-surgical procedure, as a therapeutic and prophylactic tool, to accelerate postoperative healing and promote rehabilitation.
Low-Level Laser Therapy is an appropriate intervention for Achilles tendinopathy because it reduces inflammation and enhances tissue metabolism and regeneration.
The use of biostimulation by INDIBA promotes:
- Reduction of Achilles tendon pain.
- Acceleration of Achilles tendon healing.
- Maintaining Achilles tendon integrity.
- Early return to daily activities without Achilles tendon pain or risk of reoccurrence
Benefits of physiotherapy and use of technology post-surgical operation
Physiotherapy is the act of helping to ease pain, preserve a range of motion, and improve activities within our daily life. Physiotherapists often introduce hydrocollator treatments, cold therapy, or electrical stimulation therapy into their toolkit during rehabilitation exercises. This helps patients get the most out of the training they need to get back up on their feet again!
Using technology has become a norm in today’s society, so why not use it for your recovery? Technology can help rehabilitate more quickly than traditional methods. Your physiotherapist will monitor your progress 24/7 using these technologies which allow them to spot any problems early on so you don’t have to worry about any setbacks later down the line.
We hope to help you prevent and treat Achilles tendonitis. Running is a fantastic sport that has many benefits for your physical health as well as mental wellbeing, so it’s important not to let an injury derail all the good work! So, if you are a runner with Achilles tendonitis, it is important to seek out treatment.
Achilles tendonitis is a common injury for runners, but there are ways to prevent it. By sharing this post with your running partners or club, you can all help each other stay healthy and continue enjoying running together.
Have you ever suffered from Achilles tendonitis? What tips do you have for avoiding the injury? Share them in the comments below!