Further Problems/ Injuries that occur
Paratenonitis is an acute Achilles injury causing inflammation usually due to overuse, affecting the Tendon Sheath or Paratendo “In really acute cases, the tendon can be a sausage shape, because of the severity of the swelling. This is a common one for runners especially after a long run. They may also feel stiffness and discomfort at the beginning of the run, but as you guys always seem to try to push through the discomfort. a word of warning “This will typically aggravated the injury, when you need to relieve it by rest please do so If left untreated, Paratenonitis will progress to the point that any running becomes extremely difficult.”
The area approximately two inches above the Calcaneus attachment is most susceptible. In this area, the Achilles tendon does not have good blood supply or cell activity, so injury can be slow to heal. The tendon receives nutrients from the tendon sheath or Paratendon. When an injury occurs to the tendon, cells from surrounding structures migrate into the tendon to assist in repair. Some of these cells come from blood vessels that enter the tendon to provide direct blood flow to increase healing. With the blood vessels you also get nerve fibres’.
It is believed, that these nerve fibres are the cause of the pain. So while it is healing it will cause you a lot more pain, some say “It is like having an Arrow in your heel” Not very fair but unlike Achilles painful fate, you’re not going to die from it and there are things you can do to help yourself, but recovery from an sever Achilles tendon injury can take anything up to 12 or even 16 months, a long time if you are a runner that is why I always say “Early Intervention is better than long recovery time’s”
So what is Tendinosis?
Well the point is most pain within the Achilles tendon, may be classified as Tendinosis.
This may be because it involves tendon degeneration, whether it has inflammation or not. In addition, the tendon may become weakened and lose its structure. Aging plays it own part in this process, repetitive injury, or a minor trauma, through occupation or sports. Whatever the reason, “Without proper treatment and healing time, of the area Tendinosis will eventually progress to partial or complete ruptures, if you continue to put high pressure on them, that are physically demanding.
What Can You Do To Help or Prevent Achilles Problems?
Let’s start with the obvious
Preventive exercises aimed at strengthening the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles,
This means, repetitions of slowly raising and lowering the body while standing on the affected leg, (Calf Raises) using the opposite arm to assist balance and support if necessary, starting with the heel in a hyperextended position. (Hyperextension is typically achieved by balancing the forefoot on the edge of a step, a thick book, or a barbell weight. so that the point of the heel is a couple of inches below the forefoot. You don’t have to wait till there is a problem to do this exercise use it in your regular stretches,
Don’t take on too much too fast, slowly Increase the intensity and the difficulty of an exercise and running program do not put strain on your Achilles.
An ultimate must here !
Always Use appropriate footwear. The more arch support, the less strain there is on the heel and associated muscles. Wearing heel pads to reduce the strain on the tendon, and remember, if you start to show signs that there is a problem occurring.
Don’t leave it and hope it goes away, you can’t run it off, and it won’t just go away.
Use Standard RICE Treatment with Ice, cold compression therapy then please seek help. Early intervention can save you from lots of problems later.
If you have an injury and need more advice give us a call, but please don’t leave it.
A few weeks rest or less, from running is better than 12 months or not ever again.
