Achilles Injury Treatment

An Achilles tear is a common sports injury that affects the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. When this tendon becomes overstretched or ruptured due to sudden, forceful exertion, it typically results in swelling and pain near the back of the lower leg. Typically an Achilles tear requires surgery to lengthen and repair the damaged connective tissue, although rest, physical therapy and specialized rehabilitation exercises have proven successful in treating some cases of milder tears.

One of the most common injuries associated with the Achilles tendon is tendonitis. This condition occurs when the tissue around your tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse or repetitive strain. Symptoms include pain in the back of your ankle that increases while running or jumping, stiffness in the morning or after long periods of sitting or standing and swelling near your heel or along your calf muscle. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions such as tendinosis (degenerative tissue damage) or a tear in the tendon itself.

The best treatment for Achilles tendonitis is rest followed by a combination of chiropractic care (to reduce inflammation), physiotherapy (to improve flexibility and strength), and massage therapy (to relieve tension). Stretching exercises can also be helpful in preventing further injury. 

An Achilles rupture occurs when there is a complete tear in your Achilles tendon due to overuse or trauma from sports activities such as basketball or soccer. Symptoms may include sudden severe pain at back of your heel followed by an inability to bend your foot upwards due to lack of strength. Surgery may be necessary if there has been a complete tear however nonsurgical treatments such as wearing a cast, using crutches, physiotherapy, stretching exercises, massage therapy, ultrasound treatment, etc., can be used if deemed appropriate by healthcare professionals. If not treated properly, complications such as chronic weakness in knee extension, reduced mobility, infection risk, etc., could arise.

Retrocalcaneal bursitis is another common ailment associated with the Achilles tendon. It occurs when fluid-filled sacs located between bones become inflamed due to excessive friction from physical activity or shoes that don’t fit properly. Symptoms include tenderness around your heel bone along with redness and warmth near the affected area when touched. Treatment usually involves rest followed by ice packs applied directly to your heel several times a day for 15-20 minutes at a time until symptoms subside. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed by your doctor depending on severity of symptoms.

Achilles heel pain is often a result of overuse or injury to the tissue surrounding your ankle joint. It can also be caused by bursitis, which is an inflammation of your ankle bursa (the small fluid-filled sac located between your skin and tendons). Symptoms may include sharp pains in your heel when running or walking, redness around your ankle joint and swelling at certain times during activity. Treatment options typically involve resting from activities that cause pain, using ice packs to reduce swelling and taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium when needed. Physiotherapy can be beneficial in strengthening any weakened muscles as well as improving range of motion in the affected area while orthotics can correct any misalignments that may be causing extra strain on your ankle joint or bursa. Massage therapy can also help reduce tension in the affected muscles while alleviating pain associated with bursitis or stress from running/walking activities. 

Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles tendonitis are both common causes of pain and discomfort in the lower leg. However, although the terms are often used interchangeably, these two conditions are slightly different from one another. Tendinopathy is a broad term used to describe any kind of problem affecting the Achilles tendon, whereas tendonitis specifically refers to inflammation of the tendon. Tendonitis is usually caused by overuse and can be treated with rest, ice, physical therapy exercises and analgesics. On the other hand, tendinopathy usually stems from age-related degeneration and typically requires more time to heal with conservative treatments such as activity modification.

Treating an Achilles injury requires a comprehensive approach in order to ensure the best possible outcome. Common treatments for Achilles injuries include chiropractic care, massage therapy and physiotherapy. Chiropractic care can help by reducing pain and unlocking range of motion. Massage therapy targets specific areas of tension and inflammation, helping to reduce discomfort and improve mobility. Physiotherapy provides focused exercises that work to strengthen and lubricate the region, resulting in improved flexibility and reduced chance of further injury. All three treatment approaches can be effective when properly employed while working together they create a comprehensive approach to treat an Achilles injury.

Other forms of tendinopathy include but are not limited to adductor tendinopathy, distal quad tendinopathy, glute or gluteal tendinopathy, hamstring tendinopathy, hip flexor tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy, triceps tendinopathy, and patellar tendinopathy. 

Regardless of the type of tendinopathy, Chiropractic, physiotherapy or massage therapy can contribute to your recovery plan. Chiropractic care focuses on joint problems which may arise from both conditions. Physiotherapists on the other hand focus on helping individuals rehabilitate from soft-tissue injuries such as strains, sprains, and tears. Massage therapists are excellent for muscles soreness related to either condition as well as providing relaxation techniques to improve comfort levels. Ultimately each condition has its individual needs when it comes to treatment and your CARESPACE practitioner will help assemble the best team of practitioners to help you recover quickly.