ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY

What is Achilles Tendinopathy?

Your achilles tendon is the tissue that attaches your calf muscles to your ankle bone. It is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body. Pain on or around the tendon can suggest Achilles tendinopathy. Often there is pain on running or walking and the tendon can feel especially stiff getting out of bed in the morning.

What causes Achilles Tendinopathy ?

Achilles tendinopathy happens when the tendon becomes acutely damaged by an excessive force or strain on the tendon or the tendon can, overtime, become degenerative due to gradual overuse and/or altered mechanics of your foot movement.

Other terms you may have heard

Acilles tendonitis
Traditionally it was believed all Achilles tendon problems where inflammatory hence “tendonitis”. There may be some inflammation for a few days after an acute strain however most Achilles problems are degenerative in nature.

Achilles tendinosis
This refers to degeneration of the tendon

How can physiotherapy help Achilles Tendinopathy?

Axis Physiotherapy can assess your tendon and foot mechanics to see what is causing the problem. Acute (recent) injuries can be treated with ice, rest, soft tissue techniques and exercises. More degenerative, gradual onset problems have been shown to respond very positively to a specific exercise programme to build up strength and control of the tendon. Use of appropriate foot orthotics (supports in your shoe) may also be necessary.

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