The Achilles tendon is a strong tissue band connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is one of the strongest tendons in the body, but it is also one of the most susceptible to injury.
Achilles tendon injuries can be caused by overuse, sudden stress, or direct trauma. They are most common in athletes and people who participate in activities with high demands on the Achilles tendon, such as running, jumping, and dancing.
Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis
The symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some people may experience mild pain and swelling, while others may experience severe pain and swelling, making walking difficult.
Common symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury include:
- Pain in the back of the leg, near the heel
- Swelling in the back of the leg, near the heel
- Stiffness in the ankle
- Difficulty walking or running
- A popping or snapping sound when the injury occurs
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Guide
The Achilles tendon is the most massive tendon in your body. Although it is strong and bulk, it's still susceptible to tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis can be treated at home using simple and efficient techniques. If the condition is more severe, medical attention might be required. This article will provide the entire Achilles tendonitis treatment and relief options that will get you back to the everyday things you love to do.
At Home Conservative Treatments
You likely suffer from Achilles tendinitis if you're experiencing pain in the Achilles tendon or at the heel's back. You can do various treatment alternatives from the comfort of your home to ease the swelling and pain associated with the injury
Cold Therapy for Achilles Tendon
Cold therapy or a cold therapy pack is a fantastic method to relieve pain without needing medication or other invasive treatments. The cold helps to numb the inflammation and relieves pain. Place a Cold therapy pack on the area of pain for 20 minutes all day. You can also use an ice cup to rub the cold directly onto the Achilles tendon. Be sure not to leave the cold pack on during sleep, as this could cause significant injury to the skin.
SACKSY THYME Cold Therapy pack for Achilles Tendon Injury:
Our Hot and Cold therapy pad is an easy and Affordable way to manage the swelling of the tendon. It helps ease the pain associated with bicep tendonitis. It also helps promote the healing of the bicep tendon by improving circulation. It can be used for a wide variety of tendon injuries, including bicep tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more.
Resting the Tendon
If you're experiencing pain in the heel's back or the middle of your Achilles tendon, it's time to stop all the activities that cause pain and rest. The resting period allows your body to heal and recover. Once you are moving again, avoid doing intense exercises like running. Instead, change to low-impact exercises to give your body enough time to transition from relaxation to physical movement.
Elevate Your Foot
Another option for treating Achilles tendonitis involves elevation. When you elevate your foot after having been injured, it will make use of gravity to decrease swelling. For example, place your feet on a cushion lying on a bed or couch and raise them above the heart. This will cause swelling to decrease and lessen discomfort.
Stretches and Exercises
Regular stretching can aid in restoring flexibility for your ankle and feet and loosen the Achilles tendon to stop injury recurrence. In addition, training to strengthen the muscles of Achilles tendonitis can strengthen the muscles in your calf and reduce the stress and strain off the injured tendon. Talk to your physical therapist or doctor before beginning your exercise routine or stretching.
Massage Ligaments
Massage therapy is utilized to relax tight muscles in the calf and relieve tension around the Achilles tendon. Most of the time, you'll want to avoid applying massage directly to the Achilles tendon. It can result in irritation and injuries. However, by massaging the surrounding muscles, you'll loosen knots in your muscles and create a general feeling of calm.
Daily Support
Some specific orthotics and shoes are designed to combat insertional Achilles tendonitis. The shoe is placed against the heel and is made to be more comfortable to reduce irritation to the heel. In addition, the heel lifts the feet away from the shoe's rear, which helps reduce stress and friction over the Achilles tendon. Patients suffering from extreme Achilles tendonitis might benefit by wearing a walking boot. However, please only use the footwear for a short time as it may reduce the strength of the calf muscle as time passes.
Nighttime Care
Consider using night stretch socks or splints while sleeping. A soft or hard night splint can keep your ankle and foot in a secure and stretched posture that keeps your Achilles tendon free during the night. Like plantar fasciitis, it reduces the chance of injury during your first steps early in the morning.
OTC Pain Relief
Achilles tendonitis can be relieved by taking over-the-counter medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). It includes medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen. They are generally considered safe for most people. In addition, they are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. However, please consult your doctor before taking any new medication; you should contact your doctor or pharmacist to confirm that it suits you.
Medical Advice & Treatment
If you're suffering from any signs of Achilles tendonitis, it is important to seek medical advice. A proper treatment will reduce recovery time and prevent unnecessary complications. If you hear a loud sound and feel a sudden pain in the heel's back, there's a good chance you've got a ruptured Achilles tendon. Take off treatment briefly; consult your physician whenever you can.
Physical Therapy Sessions
A physical therapy therapist will help you with stretches and exercises. They aim to speed your recovery, prevent injury recurrence, and lessen discomfort. In addition, if you need Achilles tendon surgery, a physical therapist will assist you in establishing a postoperative exercise program specifically designed to meet your particular needs.
Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroid injections are a potent anti-inflammatory drug to lessen inflammation and swelling. The medication is administered by a physician directly into the affected area. Although many patients experience relief from steroid injections, the replacement may only be temporary. Discuss with your physician how this treatment might benefit you and your limitations.
Surgery
The surgery for Achilles Tendon is for those who do not experience relief within the first six months after treatment. The specific procedure performed will be based on various aspects, including the severity of the injury to the tendon and the area of damage. Recovery after surgery could be lengthy and can last up to 12 months to achieve full recovery.
Preventing Achilles Tendonitis
It is unlikely that you will be able to avoid Achilles tendonitis. Still, you can lower the chance of getting it by changing your lifestyle and incorporating a small amount of change into your routine. So here are our top prevention strategies to get going.
- Warm up before exercise. Warming up helps to prepare your muscles and tendons for activity, which can help to reduce your risk of injury. A good warm-up should include light cardio, such as jogging or jumping jacks, followed by dynamic stretches, such as leg swings and lunges.
- Stretch regularly. Stretching the muscles in your calves and ankles can help to improve flexibility and reduce your risk of injury. It is important to stretch after exercise as well as before.
- Strengthen the muscles around your Achilles tendon. Strong muscles around your Achilles tendon can help to support the tendon and reduce the risk of injury. You can do several exercises to strengthen the muscles around your Achilles tendon, such as calf raises and heel walks.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts additional stress on your Achilles tendon, so maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce your risk of developing Achilles tendonitis.
- Wear supportive shoes. Wearing supportive shoes can help to reduce stress on your Achilles tendon. When choosing shoes, look for shoes with good arch support and a cushioned heel.
- Avoid overuse. If you experience pain in your Achilles tendon, stop the activity and rest. Continuing the activity could make the injury worse.
Here are some additional tips for preventing Achilles tendonitis:
- Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. If you are new to exercise, start slowly and gradually increasing your workouts' intensity and duration to avoid overuse.
- Listen to your body. If you feel pain in your Achilles tendon, stop the activity and rest.
- Cross-train. Alternate high-impact activities, such as running and jumping, with low-impact activities, such as swimming and cycling.
- Take breaks. If you are participating in a high-impact activity, take breaks throughout the activity to rest your Achilles tendon.
Consider wearing an ankle brace if you are active in sports or other activities that stress your Achilles tendon. Ankle braces can help to support the Achilles tendon and reduce the risk of injury.
Smart Achilles Tendonitis Recovery
Tendon injuries to the Achilles can lead to pain and reduce mobility. The first step is to treat the wound yourself by rest, Cold therapy packs, stretching, and exercising, to mention just a few. Medical treatment is required if the pain is extreme and you suffer from chronic pain. Achilles tendonitis can take a long time to recover, so take your time and remember to contact your physician or physical therapist to seek expert advice.