Why you should see a Podiatrist for a sore Achilles tendon?

Updated: Oct 16, 2023

Podiatrists are health practitioners that specialise in the lower limb! Podiatrists are able to perform an assessment, send for imaging in the form of an ultrasound or x-ray , devise a personalised treatment plan and provide the correct treatment for you and your sore tendon.

What is Achilles tendinopathy?

Achilles tendinopathy describes damaging and often painful changes to the strong and thick tendon at the back of the heel and ankle. The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles (at the back of the lower leg) to the back of the heel bone.

It can broken down into 2 major types:

Insertional tendon pain occurs at the interface of where the achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone (calcaneus).
Mid-portion achilles tendon pain is experienced in the ‘mid-portion’ of their achilles tendon.

How is it caused?

In short, when the tendon takes on more load then it has capacity for. When tension and strain exceeds what the tendon can safely handle. This varies from person to person and if bases on but not limited to, a persons strength, fitness, flexibility. Changes occur in the tendon which result in pain, inflammation and sometimes degeneration.

Repetitive stress and high loads can result to changes in the tendons structure. These activities may include:

Running activities, especially at high speeds or longer distances
Changing the intensity of your training in sports or at the gym
Repetitively overloading the tendon over time
Having tight calf muscles that place greater compressive forces on the tendon
Wearing unsupportive footwear
Poor foot biomechanics

How can we help?

Management for mid-portion and insertional achilles tendinopathies is typically different therefore a personalised management/treatment plan will be devised.

This plan may included but not be limited to:

-Load management

-Strength and conditioning program prescribed through Physitapp

-Strapping with ridged sports tape or kinesiology tape

-Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

-Dry needling therapy (Usually treating the tendon along with tight calf muscles)

-Custom Foot Orthoses

-Heel lifts

There are so many options out there! Our Podiatrists will help you get you back onto your feet in no time!