Injury to the Achilles tendon

Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical well-being and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains. Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference. This week, biokineticist Megan van Huyssteen continues the series on lower leg injuries.

This week I’ll be discussing Achilles tendinopathy, a very common injury. The Achilles tendon is a tough band of fibrous tissue at the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus).

The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) unite into one band of tissue, which becomes the Achilles tendon at the low end of the calf. The Achilles tendon then inserts into the heel bone.

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. When the calf muscles contract, the Achilles tendon pulls on the heel. This movement allows us to move on our toes (Plantar flexion) when walking, running, or jumping. Despite its strength, the Achilles tendon is also vulnerable to injury, due to its limited blood supply and the high tensions placed on it.

It is thought to be caused by repeated tiny injuries (microtrauma). After each injury, the tendon does not heal completely, as should normally happen. This means that over time damage to the Achilles tendon builds up, this injury is mainly caused by overuse.

There are a number of things that may lead to these repeated injuries to the Achilles tendon:

Wearing inappropriate footwear

Having poor training or exercising techniques

Changes in training programme increasing the intensity and frequency

Training or exercising on hard or sloped surfaces

Decrease in recovery time between sessions Muscle weakness

Decrease in range of motion of the ankle and muscles

Symptoms of an Achilles tendinopathy

Pain and stiffness around the affected Achilles tendon

Pain and stiffness tend to develop gradually and are usually worse when you first wake up in the morning

Some people have pain during exercise but, in general, pain is worse after exercise

Swelling around the area

At rest, pain is reduced

Important for rehabilitation: There are no rehab shortcuts.

Rest: You cannot ignore the pain, your body must be listened to. Pain is a protective mechanism to the tendon and makes you unload the tendon. You must reduce the load you put on the tendon and slowly increase the tendon's tolerance to loading (loading means the amount of tension you put on the tendon).