Achilles tendinitis is a chronic condition affecting athletes and sedentary people, alike. It seems to be caused by low blood supply and poor nutrition & circulation to the tendon. It can be worsened or complicated by high blood cholesterol levels and obesity.
The condition is characterized by a sharp, burning pain isolated about two inches above the heel, just below the calf. The tendon's responsibility is to connect the calf muscle to the heel bone. The area is small and constricted, which is why there is limited blood supply to the tendon.
Injuries to the tendon result in new blood vessel growth. Along with the new blood vessels comes nerves. With the nerves comes pain.
If the injury does not heal properly or the area is reinjured again and again as time goes by, the tendon can become thick and tiny lumps may form along it. The lumps may be composed of blood vessels or nerve fibers. Sometimes, they are composed of cholesterol. In that case, a doctor may refer to it as a xanthoma.
The lumps cause additional pain and make medical treatments more difficult. If at all possible, it is best to treat Achilles tendinitis before the lumps form.
The first step is to rest after an injury. That is sometimes difficult for an athlete to do. But, if there is no rest, the injury cannot heal. Your activities could be limited for a lifetime, if you don't take the time to recover properly from an injury.
Ice followed by compression therapies are the next steps. The ice reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs or creams may be used, as well.
Compression therapy involves applying even pressure to the injured area. This can be accomplished with a special toeless sock that contains a gel pad. The pad also prevents further irritation caused by shoes.
The last and possibly most important step for the relief of Achilles tendinitis and the prevention of further injury is appropriate exercise. If you are sedentary, overweight or obese, you should consult your doctor about what kinds of exercise are appropriate.
If you are in good general health, you likely need stretching exercises to provide an eccentric contraction or elongation of the tendon. Stretching aids are available from a variety of different outlets. Those that specialize in foot and lower body health are the best choices.
The greatest risk of Achilles tendinitis is a rupture of the tendon. A rupture is extremely painful, takes a long time to heal and is difficult to treat. Some of the mainstream techniques for treating the inflammation, such as steroid injections, increase the risk of rupture.
Choose an experienced doctor that specializes in sports medicine, if you are unable to find relief with the suggestions above. Be sure to tell the doctor about any drugs or supplements that you are taking and be honest about the type of activities you participate in. Any of those things may be important.
In most cases Achilles tendinitis is treatable without risky injections. If you are not already doing so, you might try wearing low heeled shoes. That can help, too.
