Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon being present in the ankle and largest in the body is designed to carry maximum load and is able to absorb and support maximum pressure. Nevertheless, it is the tendon that is most vulnerable to injuries, if it is subjected to overuse.
As this tendon is being put under pressure almost all the time, so it is prone to injuries frequently including wearing off and tearing of the tendon. Achilles tendonitis pain is somehow the most reported complaint of the foot region. The pain may appear for a shorter time after a physical activity like running, or it may show itself for a longer period of time.
In most of the cases the pain associated with the Achilles tendon is caused by tendonitis, which is now classified more accurately by doctors as Achilles tendinopathy. In the recent discoveries, it has been revealed that the pain in Achilles tendon is caused mostly due to deterioration of fibers and tissues in the tendon region and not by inflammation which is termed as tendonitis. But as the Achilles tendonitis is a familiar and older term, it is still widely used and accepted for the condition by the technical, as well as non-technical staff.
The most common conditions associated with the problem are pain and tenderness, but sometimes the tendon may tighten up. If this is the case then the sensation of pain is most acute in the morning, and occurs also after long periods of inactivity. The feeling of discomfort may also become unbearable after extended periods of weight bearing activities. This may also lead to chronic swelling in the tendon and heel spurs.
An injury may also be a sudden cause of Achilles pain. If you have a feeling that you are being kicked in the heel or if there is a snapping sensation, you must stop all the physical activities at once and must consult a doctor. There is a grave possibility that Achilles tendon has been torn.
There can be several other causes of pain the foot region beside the Achilles pain. As with the age, the tissue fibers deteriorate and become less flexible, and also the over usage may lead to the pain complaints. A sudden pain flare-up may also be caused the abrupt and sudden changes in the schedule and intensity of physical activities. Changing the running shoes and change of running surface may also cause a problem. Calf muscles may also tighten up during uphill running activity which may lead to over pronation in one or both feet, this may be in the long run, become a cause of Achilles pain and other foot and lower leg complaints.
If a tendon is torn, the only way to get it mended is by surgery. The primary treatment of Achilles tendonitis constitutes of rest and less physical activity. Moreover icing is also recommended after the session of extreme weight bearing activities. This treatment is not dependent upon the presence of pain only. It has to be done in any case. Severe cased of tendonitis may require night splint, but in most general cases, orthotic devices are very helpful in reducing the pressure and providing support to the lower limb and feet.
Footwear has a very close relation with the Achilles tendonitis pain. It can slow down or speeds up the healing process of the tendon. So you should make sure that you buy and wear appropriate sized shoe. Moreover try to wear such shoes that are well cushioned. You must avoid constrictive and high heeled shoe. Another technique that can speed up the healing process is the message. As the targeted area is massaged, the blood flow to the damaged tendon in increased which helps in speeding up the recovery process.
If you want quick relief from the pain symptoms, then anti inflammatory drugs would be a better choice, but as they are damaging to health, and does not cure the core cause, they should not be taken for a long time. If you think that all the conservative treatments have been tried and the pain is still prevailing, you must consult a doctor as there may be an underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
Resource: http://footpainsos.com/ and http://heelpainrx.com/
As this tendon is being put under pressure almost all the time, so it is prone to injuries frequently including wearing off and tearing of the tendon. Achilles tendonitis pain is somehow the most reported complaint of the foot region. The pain may appear for a shorter time after a physical activity like running, or it may show itself for a longer period of time.
In most of the cases the pain associated with the Achilles tendon is caused by tendonitis, which is now classified more accurately by doctors as Achilles tendinopathy. In the recent discoveries, it has been revealed that the pain in Achilles tendon is caused mostly due to deterioration of fibers and tissues in the tendon region and not by inflammation which is termed as tendonitis. But as the Achilles tendonitis is a familiar and older term, it is still widely used and accepted for the condition by the technical, as well as non-technical staff.
The most common conditions associated with the problem are pain and tenderness, but sometimes the tendon may tighten up. If this is the case then the sensation of pain is most acute in the morning, and occurs also after long periods of inactivity. The feeling of discomfort may also become unbearable after extended periods of weight bearing activities. This may also lead to chronic swelling in the tendon and heel spurs.
An injury may also be a sudden cause of Achilles pain. If you have a feeling that you are being kicked in the heel or if there is a snapping sensation, you must stop all the physical activities at once and must consult a doctor. There is a grave possibility that Achilles tendon has been torn.
There can be several other causes of pain the foot region beside the Achilles pain. As with the age, the tissue fibers deteriorate and become less flexible, and also the over usage may lead to the pain complaints. A sudden pain flare-up may also be caused the abrupt and sudden changes in the schedule and intensity of physical activities. Changing the running shoes and change of running surface may also cause a problem. Calf muscles may also tighten up during uphill running activity which may lead to over pronation in one or both feet, this may be in the long run, become a cause of Achilles pain and other foot and lower leg complaints.
If a tendon is torn, the only way to get it mended is by surgery. The primary treatment of Achilles tendonitis constitutes of rest and less physical activity. Moreover icing is also recommended after the session of extreme weight bearing activities. This treatment is not dependent upon the presence of pain only. It has to be done in any case. Severe cased of tendonitis may require night splint, but in most general cases, orthotic devices are very helpful in reducing the pressure and providing support to the lower limb and feet.
Footwear has a very close relation with the Achilles tendonitis pain. It can slow down or speeds up the healing process of the tendon. So you should make sure that you buy and wear appropriate sized shoe. Moreover try to wear such shoes that are well cushioned. You must avoid constrictive and high heeled shoe. Another technique that can speed up the healing process is the message. As the targeted area is massaged, the blood flow to the damaged tendon in increased which helps in speeding up the recovery process.
If you want quick relief from the pain symptoms, then anti inflammatory drugs would be a better choice, but as they are damaging to health, and does not cure the core cause, they should not be taken for a long time. If you think that all the conservative treatments have been tried and the pain is still prevailing, you must consult a doctor as there may be an underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
Resource: http://footpainsos.com/ and http://heelpainrx.com/