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Medical Etiology: (information for health professionals)
Definition:
Inflammation of the Achilles Tendon, commonly found in athletes.
Symptoms:
The patient presents with a sharp and nagging pain above the heel. Limited ankle flexibility and inflammation over the affected area are often present.
Biomechanical aetiology:
Achilles Tendonitis commonly occurs from shearing and tractional forces placed on the Achilles Tendon at the back of the heel. The calf muscles assist inversion of the calcaneus at heel lift. When a condition occurs where the foot accelerates into an excessively pronated position and the calcaneus is everted, there’s an increase in medial tendo-achilles traction and this results in transverse shearing of the tendon and sheath - this commonly leads to inflammation and pain. Often, a lumpy build-up of scar tissue occurs. This mechanism has been linked to Sever’s Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome and ‘growing pains’ etc.
Treatment:
By preventing excess subtalar joint pronation orthotics reduce medial tendo-achilles traction, therefore helping to alleviate the problem.
Additional treatment: Ice therapy (15 minutes, 3 times a day), rest from running.
Exercises:
• Achilles stretch - stand with legs straight on balls of your feet
on a curb or rung of ladder. Drop heels down and hold position
for 20-25 seconds per leg in extended & flexed positions.
• Stretching of the calf muscles
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