The Achilles Tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel. The tendon takes an enormous amount of strain during running and jumping and even walking. The Achilles tendon may be subject to up to 12 times a person’s body weight during a sprint or push off.
The most common injuries seen are Achilles Tendinosis (sometimes referred to as tendonitis), partial tears, and complete ruptures.
Achilles Tendinosis usually occurs 3-4 cm above the heel bone, and is the most common cause of Achilles pain. Achilles injury tends to be the result of overuse, misalignment, specific weakness in the hip, knee or lower leg, or improper footwear. That is why at West London Physio, assessment of the biomechanics and gait is part of our Achilles assessment – we want to be clear about the cause of the injury.
Treatment of the Achilles is decided upon once the diagnosis is made. Tendinosis requires a very specific exercise protocol to help the damaged and weakened tendon to strengthen and heal. Conversely the partial and complete tears need rest first and gentle progression of treatment. At West London Physio we are careful to fully assess each Achilles injury we see, as the treatment is very much dictated by the type of injury.
