Achilles Tendon Injuries
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The Achilles tendon
is the tendon of the gastronemius and soleus muscles of the posterior leg and connects these muscles to the
heel bone (calcaneus). It is located along the lower back portion of the calf and runs to the heel. This muscle
tendon group is responsible for plantar flexion of the ankle and is the primary motor for standing and walking on
the toes as powers push off when a person runs or jumps.
Injury usually results when the tendon is stressed by short quick movements, or sudden starts and stops such as
in Racquetball, tennis, football, or dance. It can also affect women who frequently wear high-heeled shoes and
switch to sneakers to exercise. This stress could be cumulative or develop from a single spontaneous movement
following an insufficient "warm-up" or stretch.
Inflammation of this tendon is known as Achilles Tendonitis. It occurs when the overstressed tendon becomes inflamed
and causes pain, swelling and restricted flexibility. If untreated, it could grow progressively worse and a small
tear may lead to tendon rupture, separating the calf muscle from the heel bone. When this occurs, normal movement
of the ankle is impossible.
If Achilles Tendonitis is treated before tendon rupture, there are a number of non-operative ways to recover
strength to the area. They include stretching, ice, shoe modifications, nutritional supplements, and alterations
in an individual's training schedule. Still, the best treatment is prevention. Tendonitis can be avoided with the
proper strengthening of all muscle groups in the leg, along with adequate stretching and warm-ups before demanding
activities or sports.
A complete rupture
often occurs spontaneously during sports, without a pre-existing tendonitis. The complete rupture requires surgery to
reconstruct the torn edges of the tendon, or more uncommonly repair the tendon back to the bone. After surgery, a
Cryo/Cuff® is applied followed by a very short period of casting. Patients
are back in sports by three months.
