The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the human body that connects the heel to the calf muscle. When the calf muscles contract, there will be a pulling force acting on the Achilles tendon that will cause your foot to point down, the process name being plantar flexion. It allows the toe to rise. So the working action of the powerful muscle helps you in sprinting, jumping, and climbing. Unfortunately, the Achilles tendon suffers from wear and tear owing to aging and overuse. See more detail [ดูรายละเอียด, which is the term in Thai] about the development of tendinosis and how to treat the same.
Tendinitis under scrutiny
Over time, the individual strands of the tendon can suffer from breaks and start losing strength. The body’s natural habit is to heal the tendon, and so, the tendon starts thickening because of the formation of scar tissue. This process will result in the formation of a tender nodule inside the tendon. The condition is called tendinosis or tendinitis. The area of tendinosis will be structurally and functionally weaker than the normal tendon, and it will be a painful experience for you. But if you are proactive in starting the treatment, the injury can heal completely, and recovery is quick too. But if you ignore the condition, the tendon can get weaker and even rupture.
Treatment plan
The objective of treatment is simple:
- Reduction of inflammation
- Allowing the tendon to heal
If the Achilles tendon becomes painful, you have to take a rest. It is better to avoid jumping and running. The heel lift shoes are able to offer much relaxation and relieve the strain on the Achilles tendon, but it is not a good idea to aggravate the pain as it can damage the tendon entirely beyond repair level. Mild discomfort is obviously not a major problem. But if the pain grows, you should consult the doctor immediately.
