How can I manage my Achilles pain?

Pain in the Achilles tendon is a condition which occurs when the large tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg becomes irritated and inflamed.  The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on your tip toes.  Although the Achilles tendon can withstand great stress from running and jumping, it is also prone to tendinitis, a condition associated with overuse and degeneration.

Tendonitis often results from an accumulation of stress which often happens when we push our bodies too much, too soon.  However, other factors can make your Achilles tendon more likely to develop tendinitis, including:

• A sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise —for example, increasing the distance you run every day by a few miles without giving your body a chance to adjust to the new distance.
• Tight calf muscles—Having tight calf muscles and suddenly starting an aggressive exercise program can put extra stress on the Achilles tendon.
• Bone spur—Extra bone growth where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone can rub against the tendon and cause pain.

Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:

• Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon especially 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

Furthermore, hearing a pop sound around your ankle during sudden movement or activity could signify possible tendon rupture and as such medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.

Managing Achilles pain

Important principles in managing Achilles pain include:

Rest–
The first step in reducing pain is to decrease or even stop the activities that make the pain worse, especially if you regularly do high-impact exercises (such as running), switching to low impact exercises will also be helpful.

Ice–
Placing ice on the most painful area of the Achilles tendon is helpful and can be done as needed throughout the day. This can be done for up to 20 minutes and should be stopped earlier if the skin becomes numb.

Physical therapy–
Manual therapy techniques like stretching and soft tissue mobilizations along with exercises improve ankle motor control.  Education regarding types of activities to be carried out as well as the proper form in carrying out this activity will be helpful as well as the right type of footwear and possible orthotic use.

Sources

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/achilles-tendinitis/

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/achilles-tendon-injury#1

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.