Achilles tendon injury in runners
Posted by admin on Jan 30, 2010
Achilles tendonitis is one of the more common overuse problems in athletes who run a lot as part of their training routine, especially on the hard road surfaces. Injuries to the Achilles tendon injuries tend to heal more slowly as they don’t have their own direct blood supply and need to get their blood from osmosis from surrounding tissues. Athletes, over the age of 40 tend to get this more often as their blood supply to the tendon is more affected. The most common location of the injury is a few centimetres above the where the tendon inserts into the heel bone.
Achilles tendonitis is usually caused by a combination of risk factors. The most common risk factor is overuse, which is just doing too much running. It could also be doing something like too much running too soon when they should be building up the distance more slowly. Calf muscles that are tight put more strain on the tendon and increase the risk for injury. Running shoes that have some asymmetrical wear or not the right shoe for the particular individual. Poor foot biomechanics such as a pronated foot, which is a foot the rolls inwards and flattens the arch can also strain the tendon.
The initial treatment for Achilles tendonitis is some sort of activity modification (like substituting swimming or cycling for the road running). The swelling needs to be reduced with ice and anti-inflammatory medication. A heel raise is also often also used to reduce the strain that goes through the tendon. Achilles tendonitis foot orthotics are usually needed to improve the foot biomechanics and to make the running gait more efficient with less strain on the tendon. Running shoes will need to be assessed to see if they need replacing. Calf muscle stretching is also essential and needs to be continued even after the injury has healed. A very gradual return to full running mileage needs to be carefully attempted or a recurrence is common.
Podiatry Arena has all the latest research on the Achilles tendon.