AnkleHasung Seoul Orthopedic Clinic
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis caused by sports injury of all age groups
Achilles tendinitis is a disease that affects a lot of athletes, regardless of age, from middle-aged to young people who do a lot of exercise.
It is most often seen due to ball games such as tennis or soccer.
Achilles Tendinitis
What are the symptoms?
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01
Non–insertional Achilles tendinopathy
WHY
When the ankles of our body move, the Achilles tendon continues to move. Therefore, the pain area changed accordingly, so the location of the painful area also can change.
It occurs in 2 to 6cm of the calcaneal attachment. It is often seen in middle-aged people and caused by running or jumping. -
02
Insertional Achilles tendinitis
WHY
The upper part of the calcaneus to which the Achilles tendon attaches is tender and swelling, and symptoms may occur when wearing shoes or tilting the back of the ankle.
Symptoms can get worse, especially when going uphill.
It occurs in the area slightly above the heel, and unlike in No.1, the pain area does not move due to the movement of the ankle joint. -
03
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
WHY
Retrocalcaneal bursitis is a disease that occurs mainly in older and less active age groups.
Symptoms of the disease range from mild to severe pain that interferes with daily life during excessive exercise.
It is characterized by a protruding heel in appearance, and wearing slippers with an open back part of the heel may be helpful for the treatment when you go out.
Achilles Tendinitis
How to treat it?
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Step 1
Conservative treatment
You need to stop exercising and put a pad on your heel to raise the heel of the shoe.
You may need ice packs or medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and if the pain is severe, your ankle may be protected with a plaster splint or brace.
If there is no improvement in condition, injection of steroid and local anaesthetic may be performed. -
Step 2
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is usually performed 3 to 5 times every 2 weeks, and the pain intensifies for 3 to 5 days after the first procedure, but it improves soon.
After your pain is gone, you can do stretching in conjunction with rehabilitation exercises. -
Step 3
Surgical treatment
In most cases, conservative treatment relieves symptoms, but if your condition continues to become chronic and it does not improve even after 4 to 6 months, surgical treatment should be considered.