Achilles Tendinitis Treatment Prospect
We encounter cases of Achilles Tendon Injuries at Heel Pain Clinics of Adelaide on a daily basis, typically characterized by inflammation or degeneration due to the excessive stretching and overuse of the Achilles tendon. We diligently provide care to patients in Prospect, suffering from what is often referred to as Achilles Tendonitis.
What Are The Symptoms Of Achilles Tendinitis?
We consistently hear from patients with Achilles injuries that they experience:
- Feeling stiffness and pain in the affected region upon waking in the morning
- The pain lessens after a bit of walking around and heat application, usually in the form of a warm shower
- After several hours of activity, notably running, tennis, football, and dancing, the pain usually re-emerges
What Are The Causes Of Achilles Tendon Injuries?
The Achilles Tendon is usually subjected to three common injuries:
- Achilles Tendinitis (Achilles Tendon inflammation)
- Achilles Tendinosis/Tendonopathy (Achilles Tendon degeneration)
- Retrocalneal Bursitis
At Heel Pain Clinics of Adelaide, Achilles Tendinitis presents most commonly and is characterized by acute inflammation.
The affected tendon gradually swells and thickens, resulting in a chronic issue that can become harder to alleviate the longer it is neglected. Stiffness in the region behind the heel or ankle when getting up in the morning is a common symptom. Achilles tendinitis often behaves in a particular way, with the pain reducing during exercise and then returning, often more intensely, afterwards. A microscopic view of these inflammatory conditions reveals particular cells the body sends to the site to manage inflammation and heal the tendon. At this juncture, recovery time is usually brief. If ignored for more than six months, this could potentially develop into Achilles Tendinosis (see below), necessitating a recovery time of 6-12 months.
At Heel Pain Clinics of Adelaide, we see people presenting with an Achilles Tendon injury which has dogged them for over half a year. The make-up of the tendon has completely changed and this is harder to resolve than Achilles Tendinitis.
Achilles Tendonopathy, also referred to as Achilles Tendinosis, represents the advanced stage of chronic Achilles Tendinitis, and interestingly, it’s not accompanied by inflammation. Instead, patients with this condition exhibit symptoms such as scarring, thickening, and/or microtear breakdown of the tendon. While there is typically no redness or warmth in the surrounding tissue, the area can be sensitive and cause discomfort when touched.
At Heel Pain Clinics of Adelaide, we sometimes encounter cases of Retrocalcaneal Bursitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation within the sac-like structure filled with lubricating fluid, which is located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone. It is probable to find a noticeable bony protuberance on the outer-top edge of the heel’s backside, commonly referred to as a Haglund’s deformity.
Treatment For Achilles Tendinitis
We offer a range of treatment options for your Achilles tendon injury or pain relief. After a detailed history and assessment of your issue, we formulate an individualised treatment plan, tailored to your needs.
Treatment options include:
- Achilles stretching, strengthening and icing
- Radial Shockwave Therapy
- Address biomechanics (shoes/ orthotics)
- Modify training
At Heel Pain Clinics of Adelaide, we have our Don’t Let Achilles Be Your Heel System which treats the underlying causes which lead to stress of the Achilles Tendon.
The Don’t Let Achilles Be Your Heel System comprises of three components:
- Stretching and Strengthening Regime
- Extracorporal Shockwave Therapy
- Addressing your Biomechanics Walking/Running Pattern
If you have Achilles Tendinitis and there is no rupture this has been clinically proven to have a 98% success rate*.
*These journal articles can be provided upon request after your Initial Gap Free Assessment
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