Achilles tendonitis can really sideline your exercise or training programme. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis, probably the only thing that you want to hear is that it will heal quickly so that you can get back to your normal life. Unfortunately, there is no good answer to the question how long does Achilles tendonitis last. Every person is different, and everyone heals differently. Your health condition, the way that you take care of your injury, and many other factors can affect how long it takes you to recover from Achilles tendonitis. To learn more about Achilles tendonitis, what you can expect, and what you can do to promote healing, read on.
What is Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which is the tendon that runs along the back of the calf down to the heel. It may feel stiff or sore, especially right when you get up in the morning. All tendons are made up of fibres of collagen. If a tendon is injured, those collagen fibres are torn. Those tears will heal, but the post-injury collagen is not as strong as it was before. As a result, the injury is more likely to reoccur.
Causes of Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is often caused by muscle weakness or an imbalance of muscle strength. It can also be caused by overuse or by increasing your training regimen too quickly. Tight muscles, stress on the tendon (such as stress caused by wearing high heels), flat feet, and fallen arches can all cause Achilles tendonitis.
Coping with Achilles Tendonitis
It is important for the sake of recovery to catch Achilles tendonitis early. Don’t ignore the symptoms. As soon as you notice any pain, tenderness, or stiffness in the area of the Achilles tendon, cut back on your exercise or training programme and treat the area. This means elevating the heel, resting, applying ice to the area, and perhaps taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, if advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
Once you have addressed the symptoms, try to identify the source of the problem. Have you recently changed anything in your training programme? If so, you may need to reintroduce the change more slowly after allowing the tendon to heal.
You should also take a look at your footwear. A physical imbalance, such as a gait imbalance caused by overpronation or supination, can contribute to the development of Achilles tendonitis. In that case, correcting the gait through choice of footwear can be a major factor in correcting the problem. Visit a specialised shoe store where gait analysis is performed. Gait analysis will tell you whether you overpronate or supinate. With that information in hand, you can select training shoes that will correct your gait abnormality. Orthotic devices may also be beneficial to you; these custom made inserts are made to fit your feet and give you extra support right where you need it.
If you have Achilles tendonitis, it is essential that you stretch properly before a workout in order to reduce tension on the Achilles tendon. Place your hands against a wall, bend your front leg, and place your back leg out behind you. Lean forward until you feel your calf stretch. Next, stay in this same position, but bend both knees, moving your weight onto your back leg. Sink down until you feel a stretch in the calf.
These are just a few ways that you can cope with an Achilles tendonitis injury. To learn more, visit Foot Solutions UK. We can perform gait analysis, measure you for shoes, and fit you for custom arch supports devices. With these tools, you will be on the road to recovery from Achilles tendonitis.
