The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body that allows you to run, jump, and stand on the balls of your feet. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, often due to chronic overuse, that leads to swelling, pain, and irritation. Physical therapy is the most common treatment for Achilles tendonitis, decreasing pain, strengthening the affected area safely, improving mobility and flexibility, and allowing patients to return to daily activities and sports in a timely manner.
What is the Achilles Tendon?The Achilles tendon is the largest, strongest tendon in the body that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon is used to jump, walk, run, and stand on the balls of the feet. When a person pushes off the ground, force is transmitted down the calf muscles through the Achilles tendon to the foot to allow a person to run or jump; when landing, the Achilles tendon helps to control the ankle’s position when the foot comes back to the ground. It can withstand a high amount of stress from running and jumping, but is prone to irritation, overuse, and degeneration.
What is Achilles Tendonitis? Achilles tendonitis is a common condition that occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes irritated and inflamed due to repetitive stress on the tendon or a sudden increase in the amount of or intensity of exercise that places too much stress on the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendonitis can occur within the tendon itself or at the point where the tendon attaches to the heel bone.
There are two types of Achilles tendonitis:
Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis include:
Physical Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis Physical therapy is the first line approach to managing Achilles tendonitis. Physical therapy can decrease pain and swelling of the Achilles tendon, strengthen the affected area, improve mobility and flexibility, and help patients return to their daily activities and sports safely and gradually. The physical therapist completes a thorough evaluation of the heel, calf, and ankle and assesses foot posture, strength, flexibility, and movement, including functional movements (such as standing, walking, stepping on stairs, heel raises, and squatting).
Physical therapy treatment for Achilles tendonitis includes: