Even in Greek mythology, the Achilles tendon of the legendary hero Achilles was a vulnerable part of the body. The Achilles tendon is also a sensitive weak point for many people who are active in sport. Persistent, load-dependent discomfort and pain in the area of the lower calf and Achilles tendon is known as achillodynia. It is one of the most common sports injuries. It often affects professional athletes as well as amateur and recreational sportspeople who regularly take part in sports that involve a lot of running and jumping. However, people who are overweight, suffer from rheumatism or have foot misalignments can also suffer from Achilles tendon pain.
The Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body. It transfers the strength of the calf muscles to the foot. This makes movements such as standing on your toes, jumping off and running possible. Although the Achilles tendon is designed for heavy loads, it has a high risk of injury. Constant strain causes tiny injuries (microtraumas) in the tendon. Such injuries often take a long time to heal as the metabolism and blood supply to the Achilles tendon are inadequate in some places. As a result, structural, degenerative damage to the Achilles tendon can progressively develop. After a few years, the tendon can even rupture.
Symptoms include pain on exertion (e.g. standing on toes) or passive stretching, finger pressure on the tendon as well as redness and warming of the skin on the affected side. The first symptoms occur after an unusually heavy load and slowly subside after a few days without further action. If Achillodynia persists and progresses, the pain occurs even during moderate exertion. The tendon becomes increasingly thickened and the pain quickly returns or persists even after a period of rest. Movement and sport are only possible with pain. Later, everyday activities such as climbing stairs or walking can only be carried out with severe pain or not at all. In this condition, the damaged Achilles tendon can hardly regenerate without targeted therapy.
Achillodynia is diagnosed by an orthopaedic specialist for After the medical history interview, a physical examination follows. In addition to a manual examination, imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound may be used. In this way, an Achilles tendon rupture can be reliably ruled out (or confirmed). The treatment of Achillodynia is primarily conservative - surgical measures are not used. Treatment is most successful if it is started as early as possible. The focus is on pain relief and delaying or halting the progression of Achillodynia. Rest is the treatment of choice for acute symptoms. By avoiding the triggering stresses (e.g. running, jumping), the Achilles tendons are protected and the pain can subside.
The specialist may prescribe bandages, taping or orthopaedic insoles, such as Tuli's® X-BRACE and SISSEL® Kinesiology Tape. Pain-relieving medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac) or anti-inflammatory ointments can support the healing process. In the acute phase, when the pain occurs directly after sport, mild cooling of the Achilles tendon alleviates the discomfort. Cooling compresses such as the SISSEL® Pack or SISSEL® Hot-Cold Pearl Pack are intended for this purpose. When the pain has passed after a few days, the application of heat (e.g. SISSEL® Pack, SISSEL® Hot-Cold Pearl Pack or hot roll) can promote blood circulation and thus the healing process.
If these simple methods do not provide relief, it is time to involve a physiotherapist in addition to the orthopaedist. On the doctor's orders, the physiotherapist develops individual exercise programs. Practicing eccentric training is very effective. It can be carried out on every step of the stairs without any other equipment. This central physiotherapy exercise should be performed twice a day for up to three months. This exercise example shows how protracted Achilles tendon problems can be.
Additional exercises are necessary for the holistic treatment and prevention of Achillodynia. Trained physiotherapists put together an individual training program for the three areas of strengthening, coordination and stretching. Ideally, this exercise program should be carried out 3 to 4 times a week to achieve the desired improvement. The physiotherapist determines the exact sequence, the choice of exercises and the focus individually.
Strengthening focuses on the central exercise "calf raises". The exercise can be performed on a step with the knee extended or bent. It is important to perform the exercise slowly as eccentric and concentric training.
Coordination exercises are performed on one leg and barefoot. Soft, unstable surfaces such as SISSEL Balancefit Pad or SISSEL Balancefit are used as a standing surface, while devices such as SISSEL® Balance Board or SISSEL Balance Board Dynamic are for advanced users.
Shortened tendons and muscles can be "relaxed" with targeted stretching exercises. Following instructions, various exercises for stretching the calf muscles and Achilles tendon can be performed on a gym mat (e.g. SISSEL Superior Mat or SISSEL Gym Mat) with a fascia roller (e.g. SISSEL Myofascia Roller or SISSEL Massage Roller).
Achillodynia can be prevented, avoided and treated if those affected pay attention to their body's signals. Complaints should be taken seriously at an early stage and the tips mentioned above should be followed. Basically, every sportsperson should warm up extensively before training, avoid overloading and allow themselves sufficient recovery time between training sessions. Then sport will support a fulfilled, pain-free life and we will be spared the fate of Achilles.
Even in Greek mythology, the Achilles tendon of the legendary hero Achilles was a vulnerable part of the body. The Achilles tendon is also a sensitive weak point for many people who are active in sport. Persistent, load-dependent discomfort and pain in the area of the lower calf and Achilles tendon is known as achillodynia. It is one of the most common sports injuries. It often affects professional athletes as well as amateur and recreational sportspeople who regularly take part in sports that involve a lot of running and jumping. However, people who are overweight, suffer from rheumatism or have foot misalignments can also suffer from Achilles tendon pain.
The Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body. It transfers the strength of the calf muscles to the foot. This makes movements such as standing on your toes, jumping off and running possible. Although the Achilles tendon is designed for heavy loads, it has a high risk of injury. Constant strain causes tiny injuries (microtraumas) in the tendon. Such injuries often take a long time to heal as the metabolism and blood supply to the Achilles tendon are inadequate in some places. As a result, structural, degenerative damage to the Achilles tendon can progressively develop. After a few years, the tendon can even rupture.
Symptoms include pain on exertion (e.g. standing on toes) or passive stretching, finger pressure on the tendon as well as redness and warming of the skin on the affected side. The first symptoms occur after an unusually heavy load and slowly subside after a few days without further action. If Achillodynia persists and progresses, the pain occurs even during moderate exertion. The tendon becomes increasingly thickened and the pain quickly returns or persists even after a period of rest. Movement and sport are only possible with pain. Later, everyday activities such as climbing stairs or walking can only be carried out with severe pain or not at all. In this condition, the damaged Achilles tendon can hardly regenerate without targeted therapy.
Achillodynia is diagnosed by an orthopaedic specialist for After the medical history interview, a physical examination follows. In addition to a manual examination, imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound may be used. In this way, an Achilles tendon rupture can be reliably ruled out (or confirmed). The treatment of Achillodynia is primarily conservative - surgical measures are not used. Treatment is most successful if it is started as early as possible. The focus is on pain relief and delaying or halting the progression of Achillodynia. Rest is the treatment of choice for acute symptoms. By avoiding the triggering stresses (e.g. running, jumping), the Achilles tendons are protected and the pain can subside.
The specialist may prescribe bandages, taping or orthopaedic insoles, such as Tuli's® X-BRACE and SISSEL® Kinesiology Tape. Pain-relieving medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac) or anti-inflammatory ointments can support the healing process. In the acute phase, when the pain occurs directly after sport, mild cooling of the Achilles tendon alleviates the discomfort. Cooling compresses such as the SISSEL® Pack or SISSEL® Hot-Cold Pearl Pack are intended for this purpose. When the pain has passed after a few days, the application of heat (e.g. SISSEL® Pack, SISSEL® Hot-Cold Pearl Pack or hot roll) can promote blood circulation and thus the healing process.
If these simple methods do not provide relief, it is time to involve a physiotherapist in addition to the orthopaedist. On the doctor's orders, the physiotherapist develops individual exercise programs. Practicing eccentric training is very effective. It can be carried out on every step of the stairs without any other equipment. This central physiotherapy exercise should be performed twice a day for up to three months. This exercise example shows how protracted Achilles tendon problems can be.
Additional exercises are necessary for the holistic treatment and prevention of Achillodynia. Trained physiotherapists put together an individual training program for the three areas of strengthening, coordination and stretching. Ideally, this exercise program should be carried out 3 to 4 times a week to achieve the desired improvement. The physiotherapist determines the exact sequence, the choice of exercises and the focus individually.
Strengthening focuses on the central exercise "calf raises". The exercise can be performed on a step with the knee extended or bent. It is important to perform the exercise slowly as eccentric and concentric training.
Coordination exercises are performed on one leg and barefoot. Soft, unstable surfaces such as SISSEL Balancefit Pad or SISSEL Balancefit are used as a standing surface, while devices such as SISSEL® Balance Board or SISSEL Balance Board Dynamic are for advanced users.
Shortened tendons and muscles can be "relaxed" with targeted stretching exercises. Following instructions, various exercises for stretching the calf muscles and Achilles tendon can be performed on a gym mat (e.g. SISSEL Superior Mat or SISSEL Gym Mat) with a fascia roller (e.g. SISSEL Myofascia Roller or SISSEL Massage Roller).
Achillodynia can be prevented, avoided and treated if those affected pay attention to their body's signals. Complaints should be taken seriously at an early stage and the tips mentioned above should be followed. Basically, every sportsperson should warm up extensively before training, avoid overloading and allow themselves sufficient recovery time between training sessions. Then sport will support a fulfilled, pain-free life and we will be spared the fate of Achilles.
