Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is called Achilles tendonitis.
Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone (calcaneus) .
Most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs or drills . It’s also common in middle aged group who play sports, such as tennis or basketball etc
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CAUSES
Achilles tendinopathy affects competitive and recreational athletes as well as non-sporting people . The incidence of Achilles tendon rupture in the general population is approximately 5 to 10 per 100,000, but may be higher in some regions and populations, and is increasing overall . Over 80 percent of ruptures occur during recreational sports. Approximately 10 percent of patients who sustain an Achilles tendon rupture had pre existing Achilles tendon problems.
Data suggest that competitive athletes have a lifetime incidence of Achilles tendinopathy of 24 percent, with 18 percent sustained by athletes younger than 45 years of age . Tendon rupture occurs in 8.3 percent of competitive athletes.
CAUSES
Over training
A sudden change in training surface e.g. grass to tarred road surface
Flat feet
High foot arch with tight Achilles tendon
Tight hamstring and calf muscles
Long term use of High Heels
Poor footwear
Hill running.
Poor eccentric strength
CLINICAL FEATURES AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Morning pain is a hallmark symptom because the achilles tendon must tolerate full range of movement including stretch immediately after getting up in the morning.
Pain associated with Achilles tendinitis typically begins as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity.
Episodes of excruciating pain may occur after prolonged running, stair climbing or sprinting.
Tenderness or stiffness, especially in the morning, which usually improves with activity.
Loss of strength of Achilles tendon.
The area may be tender, red, warm, or swollen if there is inflammation.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The Achilles tendon is the extension of the calf muscle and attaches to the heel bone. It causes the foot plantar flexion
The Achilles tendon does not have good blood supply or cell activity, so this injury can be slow to heal. The tendon receives nutrients from the tendon sheath . When an injury occurs to the tendon, cells from surrounding structures migrate into the tendon to assist in repair. Some of these cells come from blood vessels that enter the tendon to provide direct blood flow to increase healing.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND DIAGNOSIS
Royal London Hospital Test
Positive Arc Sign
Observation, brief history, hallmark signs and symptoms should help in making diagnosis.
Range of motion testing, strength and flexibility are often limited on the side of the tendinopathy .
Palpation tends to elicit well-localized tenderness that is similar in quality and location to the pain experienced during activity.
Physical examinations of the Achilles tendon often reveal palpable nodules and thickening.
Anatomic deformities such as heel varus, excessive pes planus or foot pronation are often associated with this problem.
Physical performance measures includes hip hop and heel raise endurance tests, measurement of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, sub talar joint range of motion, plantar flexion strength and endurance, static arch height, forefoot alignment, and pain with palpation.
Imaging studies are generally not necessary for achilles tendonitis diagnosis. However Ultrasound is the imaging modality of first choice as it provides a clear indication of the tendons width, changes of water content within the tendon and collagen integrity, as well as bursal swelling. An MRI may be indicated if the diagnosis is unclear or if symptoms are atypical. The MRI may show an increased signal within the Achilles Tendon.
PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT
Optimise biomechanics
Individuals presenting with achilles tendinopathy should have a full biomechanical assessment. Clinically consideration suggests using orthotics in chronic stage and using taping first, in the acute stage .
Controlled tendon loading
Low Intensity Activities should be encouraged so that the burden on the tendon decreases however complete immobilisation should be avoided, since it can cause atrophy. Eccentric exercise in particular is supported although some protocols use both concentric and eccentric exercise.
It has been shown that strength training, that is stimulated externally and is linked to a functional tasks, not only helps reduce tendon pain but modulate excitatory and inhibitory control of muscle, and thus potentially tendon load. A popular and effective option is the eccentric strength training. In the past decade eccentric exercises have been shown to have positive effects of Achilles tendinopathy and became the main non surgical choice of treatment for achilles tendinopathy.
ACHILLES TENDONITIS REHABILITATION EXERCISE
TOWEL STRETCH
STANDING CALF STRETCH
STANDING SOLEUS STRETCH
HEEL RAISES
PLANTAR FASCIA STRETCH
STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE EXERCISES
Click below for details
In combination with approaches to optimise biomechanics and prescribe exercise therapy, adjunct therapies may be used, they are used more for symptom management.
Manual Therapy
It includes soft tissue manipulation techniques such as effleurage massage, Graston technique, IASTM.
Follow the link below for manual therapy of Achilles Tendonitis
Soft tissue Manipulation for Achilles Tendonitis
Graston technique
IASTM for Achilles Tendonitis
Electrotherapy Modalities
The use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the chronic stage is administered but has conflicting evidence. There is evidence suggesting that the outcomes are dependent upon the dosage of the shock wave energy. There is also evidence that the use of anaesthetic required in high energy protocols decreases the effectiveness of ESWT. Therefore, using low energy ESWT protocols without the need for anaesthetic are recommended as more practical, more tolerable, and less expensive with equivalent results. Low energy ESWT protocols can apply to both focused and radial ESWT.
Iontophoresis
The use of iontophoresis using dexamethasone in the acute stage is advisable but not in chronic stage .
Taping
Antipronation taping is often applied. Clinicians should not use therapeutic elastic tape to reduce pain or improve functional performance in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Clinicians may use rigid taping to decrease strain on the Achilles tendon and/or alter foot posture in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.
Night splints
It is advisable to use night splints and braces in acute stage but has low benefit in chronic stage and should nit be used in conjunction with exercise regime.
Dry Needling
Clinicians may use combined therapy of dry needling with injection under ultrasound guidance and eccentric exercise to decrease pain for individuals with symptoms greater than 3 months and increased tendon thickness.