What Is Achilles Tendinitis?
Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury found in athletes. It happens when the Achilles tendon, or the heel cord that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, becomes inflamed.
When tears occur in the tendon fibres due to high level of activity, they cause inflammation in the Achilles tendon. These tears can gradually damage the tendon’s structure, causing pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Achilles tendinitis can be classified either as an overuse or high-impact injury. It is a high-impact injury when sudden increases in training intensity stress the tendon. It is an overuse injury when the tendon is repeatedly used while walking, running and other physical activities, causing damage over time. Because the Achilles tendon gets impacted during activity, it becomes difficult for it to heal naturally.
Foot posture problems, such as flat feet, may increase the risk of Achilles tendinitis. With flat feet, the arch of the foot flattens onto the ground. This stretches the plantar fascia ligament, which runs along the bottom of the foot. It creates a pulling sensation at the heel, which may cause it to move inwards.
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As the foot arch collapses, it produces an inward twist of the shin bone. This stresses the calf muscles and cause the plantar fascia at the heel bone to excessively stretch the heel cord, resulting in the development of Achilles tendinitis.
In order to diagnose the condition, physical examination of the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, ankle and the foot would be required. The individual’s walking patterns may also need to be examined to understand if the condition is caused by a foot posture problem.
In the early stages of Achilles tendinitis, rest would be recommended to allow the injured tendon to heal completely. This would be followed by the application of ice packs for reducing any swelling in the affected region.
Foot orthotics may be prescribed as part of treatment for Achilles tendinitis that involves addressing foot posture problems that may cause or contribute to the condition. MASS4D® insoles can help support the foot in its corrected posture, promoting alignment from the feet up and reducing stress on the calf muscles.
MASS4D® helps control healthy and proper positioning of the heel bone by providing corrective support. This removes excessive stress from the Achilles tendon, allowing it to heal and function properly.
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