heel

The Achilles tendon attaches the muscles of the calf to the clacaneus or heel bone of the foot. The Achilles tendon is a large, flat, tough fibrous band of tissue. If this tendon is cut through in an accident the foot is not unable to function nor can a person walk until it is repaired surgically. When the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed it is called Achilles tendonitis.

Achilles tendonitis is a repetitive use injury. The primary symptom is pain over the heel area. It’s common in athletes whose sport requires running and in people whose jobs require a great deal of standing especially in women who wear high heels as this chronically shortens the calf muscle. Over use of the foot and ankle and or weakness of the calf muscles which the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel cause inflammation of the tendon. The tendon is very strong and tough but can become easily inflamed. The muscles of the calf become shorter and tighter as they become fatigued. Weak or poorly developed calf muscles or muscles that are poorly stretched before a workout or chronically shortened by high heel use can put strain on the Achilles tendon. Over time the tendon becomes inflamed and tender causing heel pain. The tendon is in an areas of limited blood flow and once injured can be difficult to heal. Other factor such as obesity can increase the risk of Achilles tendonitis. The condition is aggravated by activities that put repetitive stress on the tendon such as standing for long periods, running or other repetitive movements

The treatment of Achilles tendonitis involves rest of the affected extremity. It’s important to determine what activities are contributing to the inflammation of the tendon and correct them. Weight loss, rest, proper stretching before exercise and proper body mechanics may all be suggested and contribute to pain relief. Use of ice to decrease the inflammation alternating with heat to increase blood flow and oxygen to the tendon may be suggested. Anti inflammatory medications such as Ibuprophen or other NSAID’s may be prescribed by your doctor. In cases unresponsive to rest and NSAID’s your doctor may prescribe splinting of the affected foot, injections of steroids into the tissue surrounding the tendon, or a course of physical therapy. Surgery would be the last line of defense and generally only used in cases of tears. The course of treatment can sometimes be aggravated by an athlete’s unwillingness to rest the injury, however untreated the injury can become a chronic source of pain and scarring can occur around the tendon increasing the risk of future injury.

Achilles tendinitis usually responds well to a period of rest, and anti-inflammatory and simple treatments such as ice, heat and changes in footwear and significant pain relief can be obtained by these measures.

This article is meant to be informational and is not meant to be medical advice. If you have questions about your medical care always consult your doctor’s advice.

Sources:
<http://www.somaacupuncture.com/tendonitis.html>
<http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/how-to-treat-tendonitis.html>
://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/leginjuries/a/leg4.htm
<http://ergonomics.about.com/od/tendonitis/a/tendonitistp.htm>
http://www.footpain.org/Heel-Pain.html
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