Do you get out of bed and feel pain and stiffness through the back of your ankle? Maybe you have noticed swelling that is tender to touch through the back of your heel/ankle? Are you struggling to walk without a limp and tackling stairs has now become challenging?
You could have a painful condition caused by Achilles Tendinopathy.
Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that is associated with degeneration of the largest tendon in the human body: the Achilles Tendon. The Achilles is the insertional tendon of the calf muscles and is essential for everyday functioning, including walking, running and jumping.
Due to the tendon’s crucial role, is it subject to high repetitive stresses and with added risk factors, it can eventually begin to degenerate or break-down. Degeneration can occur in two locations, the insertion of the Achilles (insertional Achilles Tendinopathy) and mid-way through the tendon (mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy).
The main risk factors for Achilles Tendinopathy include:
- Tight calf muscles
- Increased weight
- Incorrect footwear
- Biomechanical issues
- Increased physical activity
- Previous trauma
If left untreated Achilles Tendinopathy can become quite debilitating and painful. Dr Ella understands the challenges that come with living with Achilles Tendinopathy and provides a range of treatment options to help ease your pain and improve your function so you can get back to doing all the things you love PAIN FREE. She will conduct a range of assessments to determine which risk factors are contributing to your pain and come up with a management plan to not only treat the injury but also prevent it from re-occurring.
If you think you have Achilles Tendinopathy, book in to have your assessment with Dr Ella today.