6 June 2018
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

Achilles tendinopathy is a common problem with the tendon running from the foot to the calf muscle. Overuse or acute injuries can be contributing factors that cause inflammation and pain in the tendon. In most cases, the problem is easily fixed with conservative treatments.

Rest

Fortunately many issues with the Achilles tendon will resolve if you give your body a chance to rest. During this time, you will want to reduce any activities that seem to aggravate the condition. Sometimes icing and elevating the area may also help reduce inflammation and swelling. Pain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can be taken for a few days until the pain becomes tolerable. After a few days, you should consult with a doctor, since it is not advised to take these medications longer. You may want to change your footwear during this time so you are wearing shoes that will not rub against the area. In some cases, a doctor might recommend wearing a brace or other supportive device until the tendon heals.

Exercise

After the initial phase of Achilles tendinopathy, you should consider seeing a physical therapist for further instruction. Certain exercises can help prevent the problem from recurring, especially if you often have tendon issues without an acute injury. Most of the exercises are focused on strengthening your calf muscles. For example, you raise yourself up on the ball of your foot and lower yourself back down; this will target the calf muscle. This type of exercise can be similar to a calf machine at a gym. As an alternative, you might want to try the exercise on the first step in your home. You can usually lower yourself completely down when using the steps, so your calf exercises target the full range of motion.

Shockwave Therapy

In some cases of Achilles tendinopathy that do not resolve with conservative treatment, shockwave therapy might be an option. During the treatment, low-energy shockwaves are emitted from a probe and passed over the Achilles tendon. The treatment can help increase different chemicals in the body, such as ones associated with healing. It can also increase collagen rebuilding, which can also speed the healing process. Generally, the treatment is believed to be as effective as exercises used in physical therapy. Fortunately, for people who continue to have problems, shockwave therapy offers additional options.

Usually, simple treatments are effective in treating Achilles tendinopathies. In more serious cases, the condition can eventually progress to a tendon rupture, and it may require surgical intervention. For more information, visit a foot doctor or podiatrist.