HOW DOES ACHILLES TENDONITIS AFFECT RUNNING ATHLETES?

Achilles tendon is a strong, dense tendon in your body. It connects the back of your heel to your calf muscles. Achilles Tendonitis is a painful experience which can have a huge impact on the confidence and performance of an athlete. From home care remedies to invasive medical treatments, Edmonton Foot Health Centre offers effective solutions for Achilles Tendonitis. We provide a range of podiatric services and can help treat bunions, Athlete’s foot, ingrown toenails, gout and toenail fungus.

Three major causes of Achilles tendonitis in athletes are:

Rise in intensity of routine
Sudden increase in duration of practice
Any kind of pressure on the Achilles tendon

It might be difficult to identify if you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis. The primary symptom is a mild pain in the back of your leg or heel. Initially, you may experience staggering pain while participating in a sport or while running. As the condition progresses, you might experience stiffness and pain due to the stiffening of calf muscles and tendons. You could experience extreme pain if the condition is left untreated for many days and you continue exercising and playing sports. Climbing stairs can make the pain worse by inflaming the injury. You could face walking difficulties and there maybe chance of permanent damage to your heel if you do not seek professional help immediately.

What Can Cause Achilles Tendonitis?

Gender: Almost 84% of people suffering from Achilles tendonitis are men. There’s no substantial proof to explain why this happens. But, scientists have deduced that it might be because men usually have large calf muscles.

Shoes: Flat arches tend to strain the Achilles tendon. Wearing worn out shoes could cause a similar problem due to lack of support to the heel and foot arch. Shoes that offer arch support can help solve this issue. Runners must replace their shoes periodically to avoid this issue.

Weather conditions and geography: Runners that train on hilly terrains and in cold weather conditions are more prone to tendonitis.

Medical problems: If the runner has more bodyweight, the pressure on tendons and legs can cause Achilles tendonitis. Poor ankle motion can also damage your tendons.

At Edmonton Foot Health Centre, we determine the root cause of foot ailments and treat them with care. Our doctors might ask you to get an x-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance done, based on which, treatment options will be suggested to you.