Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscles with bone. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscles at the back of the leg with the heel, and facilitates movements such as jumping, running, and walking.
Because the Achilles tendon is engaged so frequently and bears a great deal of pressure and stress throughout the day, it can become injured. Achilles tendon injuries cause the tissue to become irritated, inflamed, and swollen. Pain can come on gradually or be immediate, and will vary from mild to severe depending upon the injury. Where the pain occurs will vary as well, from just above the heel up through the back of the leg. There may also be stiffness in the tendon.
Achilles tendon injuries can often be caused by repetitive stress. They may also occur while running, playing tennis, gymnastics, football, basketball, dancing, soccer, baseball or other sports that require speeding up, slowing down, or pivoting quickly. Ffalling from an elevation, stepping in a hole, having flat feet, tight leg muscles or tendons, wearing improper athletic shoes, exercising on uneven surfaces, or starting a new type of exercise can also cause Achilles tendon injuries.
The two most common Achilles tendon injuries are tendonitis and ruptures. Tendonitis causes painful inflammation and can occur in different parts of the tendon. Non-insertional Achilles tendonitis occurs when the fibers in middle of the tendon begin to break down, thicken, and swell. This condition typically affects younger, more active adults. Insertional Achilles tendonitis occurs where the tendon inserts into the heel bone. It is common for bone spurs to form with this type of injury. This condition can affect people of any age and level of activity.
Achilles tendon ruptures are a tear in the tendon. These breaks may be partial or complete. There may be an audible popping noise at the moment of injury and the pain will be sudden and severe.
An Achilles tendon injury can be diagnosed by Dr. DiNucci with a thorough exam. Depending on the type and severity of your injury, Dr. DiNucci may treat your condition with rest in a camwalker 24/7 for at least 4-6 weeks. Health care specialists who don't know the pathology of what they are working on will frequently tell you to stretch a tendon that is inflamed. "Strengthen the tendon?" This is what you might hear. Can you strengthen a tendon? The short answer is no, and certainly not when it is already damaged.
Relating to Achilles tendonitis, Dr DiNucci states that most of these cases will resolve without surgery, physical therapy or other intervention if the tendon is rested in a 90 degree position (Camwalker) for 4-6 weeks. This means that tendon is rested all day and ALL NIGHT in the 90 degree position to your leg. This allows the collagen fibers to repair and bond together in this position where you will be when you are walking. If you take the boot off when you are sleeping then don't bother with treatment at all. You may as well just write a blank check to your doctor and sign up for surgery.
