Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is one of those annoying injuries that can really ruin an athlete’s season. The cause of this injury are poor biomechanics, overuse, poor conditioning (increasing speed or volume too rapidly), certain medications, blunt trauma.
 

1-Doing too much too soon where the strength of the tendon is unable to handle load is common cause of injury. Beginners and seasoned athletes need to increase their speed, weight and distance incrementally.

2-With a poor knee lift, the athletes will compensate by pushing off their ankle putting undo stress on the Achilles

3-Overstretching a tendon can cause an injury. Stop pushing against the wall or a tree to stretch the tendon. This usually does more harm than good

4-Certain medications including steroids and antibiotics can weaken tendons. If these medications are prescribed the individual should cut back to avoid tears and strains

5-replace old training shoes. 
 

By analyzing the cause of an injury, we can successfully treat it:

1-      Poor mechanics need to be evaluated and corrected.

2-      Old shoes need to be replaced with proper fitted shoes

3-      Using fascial release techniques including Kinesio-taping, massage, cupping, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage (IASTM) are effective.

4-      Rigid strapping to support and decrease the load of the tendon

5-      Because tendons have a poor blood supply compared to muscles healing is a slower process and returning to full activity needs to be done incrementally and carefully otherwise the injury will recur. 

6-      We often see an exacerbation of tendon injuries if they return to activity too soon

7-      Be cautious returning to play when on antibiotics and steroids. 

 

 

Dr. Leslie Dreifus 

Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Practitioners