What is the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a cord-like structure that attaches your calf muscle to your heel bone.
When the Achilles tendon pulls on the heel, it makes us go up on our tiptoes or helps to push us forwards when walking and running.
What is Achilles Tendinopathy?
Tendinopathy is a condition that involves pain and reduced strength in a tendon. It may result from a change in activity levels. It may involve you doing more activity than previously, however it can also be a result of doing less than you would normally for example, after a period of illness or extended rest.
If you have an Achilles Tendinopathy you will feel pain at the back of your ankle/heel in the tendon that runs from the calf which attaches into the back of your heel.
The result is that the reduced strength in your tendon means the activities you do now are too much for you to tolerate. Therefore, you get pain.
Common features
Most people will experience pain after rest and first thing in the morning.
It is not uncommon to develop a lump on your Achilles tendon. This is part of the healing process and may also be due to swelling.
Full recovery can take between 3 and 12 months when following the correct advice and rehabilitation programme.
Should I be resting or moving?
You are safe and generally better off if you move. There is no evidence to suggest remaining active will place your tendon at greater risk of damage.
If you keep still and significantly reduce your activity levels, your tendon strength may further reduce. This could lead to further pain and reduced function.
Activity Diary and Modifications
It is sometimes useful to make a note of the daily activities that aggravate your symptoms. Below are some of the main aggravators and some modifications you can make to help reduce the painful reaction.
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Aggravator
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Modification
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Walking barefoot
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Ensure you wear supportive footwear. Often a heel raise/support can be effective in improving symptoms.
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Sitting down or resting for too long
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Try to avoid prolonged rest. Break up periods of sitting by getting up and moving every 20-30 mins.
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Exercising through pain and for prolonged periods.
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Use the reaction rules guide below to avoid causing a very painful reaction.
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How do I know if I am doing too much?
It is common to get a painful reaction if too much load is put through the tendon. If this pain is more than 5/10 (with 10 being the worst pain imaginable) and lasts for more than 24 hours, check what you have been doing and ease back, but you do not need to completely stop the activity/exercise.
Once this has settled you can start to gradually introduce your activities and exercises again. If you have an acceptable discomfort (pain is less than 5/10) and this settles within 24 hours, then keep going with your exercises and gradual return to full activities.
Pain relief and injections
Painkillers can help you to keep moving, however, it is important to discuss this with your GP, especially if you are taking any other medication(s).
Injections are not recommended for this problem.
What about sports and work?
You should use the previously mentioned reaction rules to determine whether return/adaptation to sport and work is advisable at this stage.
Do I need any tests?
Achilles Tendinopathy is diagnosed clinically. In most cases this can be diagnosed through discussion of your symptoms with a clinician. Scans and other investigations are often not recommended as they are not required.
What are the aims of physiotherapy?
The aims of physiotherapy are to increase muscle strength, the amount of activity you can tolerate and reduce the pain in your tendon. This should allow you to return to your previous activities.
General measures to help
Weight control
If you are overweight, try to lose some weight as the extra burden placed on your tendon can make symptoms worse. Even a modest weight loss can make a significant difference.
Poor diet, high cholesterol and diabetes can make you more likely to develop Achilles Tendinopathy.
What actions can I take to improve my health?
Evidence tells us that making healthy lifestyle choices can have a big impact on influencing problems with your muscles and bones and can play a major role in your overall health. Some of the most effective areas to address are below:
Maintaining a healthy weight:
Link: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/
Increasing levels of physical activity
Link: www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
Avoiding poor sleep patterns
Link: www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and- tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/
Reducing alcohol consumption
Link: www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol- support/calculating-alcohol-units/
Stopping smoking
Link: www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/
Maintaining a healthy mind
Link: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
The good news is that you are able to influence lots of these by modifying your lifestyle. Therefore it is important that you consider addressing these areas alongside your current treatment.
You may wish to discuss any of these factors with your treating clinician who will be able to work with you and guide your long term management and support you to improve your wellbeing.
There will be information about the local services that exist within the waiting areas of the physiotherapy department and your treating clinician will be able to help signpost you to appropriate services.
The websites listed below give more information on local services available:
• Blackburn and Darwen - https://refreshbwd.com/
• East Lancashire - http://www.upandactive.co.uk/
If your symptoms fail to improve within 6-8 weeks with this regime you should contact your doctor for a physiotherapy referral.
If your symptoms are improving (even slowly), continue for up to 3 months.
