Do you get out of bed and feel pain and stiffness through the back of your ankle? Maybe you have noticed swelling that is tender to touch through the back of your heel/ankle? Are you struggling to walk without a limp and tackling stairs has now become challenging?
You could have a painful condition caused by Achilles Tendinopathy.
Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that is associated with degeneration of the largest tendon in the human body: the Achilles Tendon. The Achilles is the insertional tendon of the calf muscles and is essential for everyday functioning, including walking, running and jumping.
Due to the tendon’s crucial role, is it subject to high repetitive stresses and with added risk factors, it can eventually begin to degenerate or break down. Degeneration can occur in two locations, the insertion of the Achilles (insertional Achilles Tendinopathy) and mid-way through the tendon where it meets the calf muscle (mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy).
The main risk factors for Achilles Tendinopathy include:
- Tight calf muscles
- Increased weight
- Incorrect footwear
- Biomechanical issues
- Increased physical activity
- Previous trauma
If left untreated Achilles Tendinopathy can become quite debilitating and painful. Our Podiatrists understand the challenges that come with living with Achilles Tendinopathy and provide a range of treatment options to help ease your pain and improve your function so you can get back to doing all the things you love pain-free. They will conduct a range of assessments to determine which risk factors are contributing to your pain and provide a management plan to not only treat the injury but also prevent it from re-occurring.
If you think you have Achilles Tendinopathy, book in to have your assessment with our Podiatrist today.
