Achilles Tendonitis/Bridge Run 2014

The Cooper River Bridge Run is right around the corner (April 5th) and one of the more common issues that I have seen this month is Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and undergoes a tremendous amount of stress and strain while running. Many of you since the weather has improved this past weekend are now training on the bridge to prepare for the race. Running uphill and downhill is much different that running on flat surfaces without an incline. If you haven't stretched or trained properly you can injure yourself. Achilles tendonitis is common and can be a nagging injury if not treated properly. We recommend that you need to be evaluated by our foot specialists if you are having any tenderness on the back of the achilles tendon. This could lead to a chronic injury or worse case scenario a partial or complete tear of the achilles tendon. Initially we recommend rest, ice, NSAIDS, updating your running shoes, heel lifts, and night splints. We are able to evaluate if you have a stress fracture or even a tendon tear through our Digital x-ray and diagnostic Ultrasound both at the West Ashley and Mt. Pleasant offices.

If you experiencing any foot pain or achilles tendon issues please make an appointment at either are West Ashley or Mt. Pleasant offices so we can keep you running and prevent chronic injuries of your  feet.

Bridge Run Injury: Tendonitis

One of the injuries you may incur while training for the Cooper River Bridge Run is tendonitis -- an inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are thick cords of tissue that connect muscles to bone.
Achilles tendonitis, or an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, is one of the most common causes of foot or ankle pain.

Reasons:
~Improper stretching prior to exertion
~Incorrect form during physical activity
 ~Those with “flat feet,” tight tendons or arthritis, are prone to tendonitis.

What you can do at home:
Rest and ice
Stay off your foot or ankle as much as possible
Apply ice for up to 15 minutes at a time, three to four times a day.

When to visit Carolina Foot Specialists:
If the pain doesn't go away with ice and rest, or if the pain persists beyond a week, it's time to make an appointment to see us. We have an easy online appointment request.

Insertional achilles tendonitis

 

 

Insertional achilles tendonitis is characterized by inflammation and pain surrounding the point where the achilles tendon and heel connect. This area experiences extreme stress during any movement that involves excessive stretching of the tendon or repetitive high-impact sports, producing either severe inflammation or possibly even the tearing or rupturing of the tendon. 

The symptoms of insertional tendonitis usually involves tenderness directly over the Achilles tendon insertion area--around the back of the heel where the tendon joins the bone. Without proper treatment, this area experiences a gradient of discomfort during repetitive activity, resulted in constant tenderness and/or severe discomfort as the inflammation progresses.

Conservative treatment can resolve most cases of achilles tendonitis. The following treatments below can help treat and prevent this painful foot condition.

1) Ice twice a day with a frozen gel pack or water bottle for twenty minutes.

2) Calf stretching exercises before and after activity three sets for 30 seconds

3) 1/4 inch heel lifts placed in the back of shoes to take tension off of the back of the heel where the achilles tendon inserts.

4) Avoiding explosive activity (jumping, bootcamp) activities for a few weeks.

5) Rest to allow the inflammation to reduce

6) Topical and oral anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation

7) Physical Therapy with ultrasound to reduce inflammation

8) Cross training via lower impact exercises

9) Achilles night splints which help to stretch the achilles tendon at night.

10) Custom foot orthotics with heel lift built into the orthotic and a top cover that incorporates shock absorption for the heel.

Plantar fascial night splints

Plantar fascial/achilles night splints are devices that we are able to dispense in our practice that aid in stretching out the achilles tendon and plantar fascia. We have a good number of patients that have resolution in heel pain with the use of just stretching exercises, night splints, and icing. Night splints are generally used while sleeping or resting at home. The night splints that we dispense are preset at 5 degrees and after a week we have our patients reset the splint to 10 degrees. Typically heel pain patients will use the night splints for 4-6 weeks.
A majority of insurances cover plantar fascial/achilles night splints. It is easy to use and is a nice conservative treatment option for heel pain.