Understanding Achilles Tendinopathy
A common overuse ailment that affects the Achilles tendon, which joins the calf muscles to the heel bone, is Achilles tendinopathy. Pain and stiffness in the back of the heel are common symptoms of this illness, especially in the morning or during exercise. Achilles tendinopathy is our specialty at Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre, and we guarantee a customized treatment plan for every patient.
Causes and Mechanism of Injury
Repetitive strain on the tendon without sufficient recovery is the main cause of Achilles tendinopathy. Unexpected increases in physical activity, inappropriate footwear, and biomechanical problems like overpronation are some of the factors that contribute to this illness. For example, an athlete may develop tendinopathy if they suddenly increase their exercise volume without giving their muscles enough time to recover.
Signs and Symptoms
Patients typically report:
- Achilles tendon pain and stiffness, often following periods of inactivity.
- Swelling or thickening of the tendon.
- Discomfort when running or climbing stairs—activities that put stress on the tendon.
Diagnostic Methods at Our Clinic
To diagnose Achilles tendinopathy, we at Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre use thorough physical and functional evaluations. Our assessment consists of:
- Palpation: To find areas of discomfort or thickness, gently press along the tendon.
- Range of Motion Tests: Measuring ankle flexibility to identify restrictions.
- Strength testing: Assessing the strength of the calf muscles to find imbalances.
- Special Physiotherapy examinations: To distinguish Achilles tendinopathy from other disorders, we use specific examinations.
Physiotherapy Management
Achilles tendinopathy is treated in our clinic utilizing a multimodal approach that emphasizes functional restoration, tendon repair, and pain management. Among our methods of treatment are:
- Eccentric Loading Exercises: These exercises stretch the strained tendon while encouraging collagen realignment and strengthening.
- Shock Wave Therapy: Using acoustic waves to promote healing and lessen pain is known as shock wave therapy.
- CRET Therapy: By using electromagnetic energy to promote deep heat, Capacitive Resistive Energy Transfer (CRET) therapy improves tissue recovery.
- Super Inductive System: High-intensity electromagnetic fields are used in the Super Inductive System to reduce pain and promote tissue regeneration.
- High-Intensity Class 4 Laser Therapy: High-intensity Class 4 laser therapy uses deep tissue laser treatments to lower inflammation and accelerate healing.
- Hydrotherapy: Performing exercises in warm water to increase flexibility and strength while reducing tendon stress.
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy uses cold therapies to reduce inflammation and dull severe pain.
Our skilled physiotherapists create customized treatment programs to guarantee that every patient gets the best care possible based on their unique requirements.
Strategies for Prevention
In order to avoid recurrence, we recommend:
- Increase activity levels gradually to prevent overtaxing the tendon.
- Wear supportive shoes that suit the situation.
- Including consistent calf muscle strengthening and stretching workouts.
Our goal at Elite Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre is to help patients recover quickly and effectively by offering cutting-edge, research-based therapies for Achilles tendinopathy.