It is believed that the Achilles tendon is one of the most durable in the human body. However, despite this, situations arise when it is not able to withstand the load. Achilles tendon can be injured, inflamed and even rupture.
In the human body, it is represented by a strong "cord" consisting of connective tissue. The Achilles tendon passes from the calf muscles to the heel, where it attaches. The inflammatory process in it in medicine is called tendonitis.
It should be noted that the Achilles tendon and calf muscles perform the most important task by participating in the walking process. With their help, raising and lowering the feet and heels is carried out.
As practice shows, most often professional athletes are subject to tendency. However, situations that provoke trauma can occur in everyday life.
With relative weakness in the calf muscles or overload, the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, it hurts, causes discomfort and interferes with a full life. In this case, its individual fibers or all of it can completely break.
The triggering factors include running over rough terrain. At the same time, both on the slopes and on the lifting sites, the tendon is significantly overloaded.
Injury can also occur as a result of improperly selected shoes with a very soft calcaneal area that fails during walking. This provokes inadequate and unnecessary movement of the heels and excessive load on the tendon.
Improper placement of the foot while walking can also contribute to the development of tendonitis. In this case, a person can tuck it inward and lean on its outer edge or lean heavily on the heel. In addition, overstrain of the muscles of the calves and hamstrings, as well as excessive constant tension of the Achilles tendon contribute to the development of tendonitis. Inflammation is also provoked by other features of the lower extremities. These include a high arch of the feet, the deformation of the heels.
With inflammation, patients feel that the Achilles tendon hurts more often after a state of rest, when they just begin to move. This is due to the presence in it of a special durable “cover”. Between the tendon and its walls inside is the fat layer. Inflammation, swelling, the formation of adhesions and other disorders provoke difficulties in the free movement of the "cover". It becomes cramped, thereby causing pain. If running or walking continues, they may decrease slightly. This is due to heating of the calf muscles. An increase in temperature increases elasticity and stretch. Painful sensations are detected at the examination, with pressure on the problem area.
First of all, when a symptom appears, it is necessary to ensure immobility in the ankle joint and lower leg. Cold treatment is recommended for twenty-four hours. At the same time lotions are used. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin.
In order to alleviate the patient's condition, anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen) are prescribed. As a rule, a therapeutic course is applied lasting from seven or fourteen days. Physiotherapeutic procedures are also very effective, including treatment with ultrasound, electric currents.
With relief of symptoms and reduction of inflammation, rehabilitation therapy is prescribed. Its action is aimed at restoring the lost strength of the muscles of the foot and calf. For these purposes, exercises of therapeutic exercises are prescribed along with hardware procedures. They are carried out under medical supervision.
In the case of a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon, the only treatment option is the surgical method.