WHAT IS TENDO-ACHILLES?
The Achilles tendon is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus).
WHAT IS ACHILLES TENDINITIS?
Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone.
WHO ARE MORE PRONE?
- Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs.
- It is also common in middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis or basketball, only on the weekends.
- Obesity
- Improper foot wear
- Antibiotic- fluoroquinolones
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
- Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning
- Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity
- Severe pain the day after exercising
- Thickening of the tendon
- Bone spur (insertional tendinitis)
- Swelling that is present all the time and gets worse throughout the day with activity.
- Pain could be either at insertional or non-insertional tendinopathy site.
If you have experienced a sudden “pop” in the back of your calf or heel, you may have ruptured (torn) your Achilles tendon. VISIT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS?
HOW DO YOU PREVENT IT?
- Weight reduction
- Life style modification
- Foot wear modification
- Stretching your tendo-achilles
- Alternate high impact exercise with low impact exercise
HOW TO MANAGE?
- Clinical examination
- Radiology
TREATMENT
- Rest
- Ice pack
- Splints
- Physiotherapy
- Surgical repair
TO STAY AS A HERO IN YOUR LIFE KEEP YOUR ACHILLES TENDON SAFE AND SOUND WITH RIGHT EXERCISES AND FOOTWEAR!
