When the Achilles tendon becomes weak

Prevent injuries and discomfort to the Achilles tendon

07/17/2013

The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. Especially when the forceful repulsion of the foot from the ground as in running and jumping it is exposed to heavy use. Pain on the Achilles tendon typically occurs in running, jumping and ball sports, because it permanently comes to great stress. Many athletes suffer from irritation and inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Sometimes the tendon tears and forces the affected person to take a longer break. However, sports doctors give the all-clear: Only very rarely an Achilles tendon tear is the end of a sports career, because the treatment options are very good today.

Achilles tendon is exposed to heavy use
Whether runner, tennis player or footballer - an Achilles tendon injury can strike anyone and is often very persistent and tedious. Mostly it is an Achillodynie, which belongs to the so-called Insertionstendopathien. By this, physicians understand an inflammatory reaction of tendon tissue due to mechanical damage due to overloading. Minor injuries in the depth of the tissue lead to its scarring. When the scarred tissue rubs against the tendon sheath, the affected person initially has pain on the Achilles tendon only during activity, as the tendon sheath heats up and expands. As the scarring progresses, the tissue eventually becomes inflamed.

In medicine, two types of inflammation are distinguished. „One is a piston-shaped distension of the Achilles tendon, which can be felt as a swelling. The other is about tendon insertion problems, which can be caused by a heel spur, "explained Ingo Tusk of the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP) to the news agency „dpa“. Frequently, too weak foot muscles cause the complaints. „It is totally neglected these days. I recommend all patients to do something about it, "explained the head physician of the Red Cross clinic in Frankfurt am Main.

Pain on the Achilles tendon can have many causes
Wrong footwear, the unfortunate occurrence after a jump and too much stress can also lead to discomfort on the Achilles tendon. Furthermore, a shortened calf muscles, obesity and a malposition of the feet and legs have an unfavorable effect on the tendon. In the latter, this can cause a shift in the Achilles tendon when the calf muscle causes the heel to leave the ground. If the tendon rubs against the surrounding structures, it can be very painful. Also, degenerative changes in the area of ​​the foot, such as osteoarthritis, can cause Achilles tendon pain. In addition, complaints may be caused by infectious or metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, arthritis and gout.

Crack of the Achilles tendon can usually be successfully operated
Under heavy overload, the Achilles tendon may tear. The treatment of a so-called rupture usually requires an operative care. „A rupture does not mean the end of career. It is only important that the tendon is well mended, "explained Bernhard Segesser of the racetrack clinic in Muttenz, Switzerland, to the news agency, and recently the sports physician Uwe Gensheimer successfully operated the handball team.

The risk of rupture increases until middle age, explained Segesser. The typical patient was the 40-year-old no longer quite fit amateur athletes, „The Achilles tendon can also tear in young people with a healthy tendon.So they tear, for example, in an asymmetrical lunge or jump in trained athletes, said Segesser. Most (85 percent) would be the rupture treated with surgery while restoring previous resilience. „In a recent rupture, the chances of recovery are very high, "said the sports physician," Older injuries took one to one-and-a-half years to complete rehabilitation. "About 15 percent of the ruptures were treated conservatively, without surgery.

Avoid discomfort to the Achilles tendon
Tusk advises recreational athletes to undergo a preliminary medical examination to prevent injuries in general. Because the typical patient is either the middle-aged, experienced jogger or the overweight and over-ambitious beginner. Frequently, the symptoms related to poor circulation of the Achilles tendon. „As this tissue ages, it becomes tougher. If loaded properly, the risk of the tendon inflaming or rupturing increases, "says Tusk.

For example, inflammation could be treated with hyaluronic acid. Stretching and strengthening the calves may also be helpful, explains the expert. „In lighter cases, it helps to reduce training, slow down, warm up carefully and train on a smooth surface, "said Herbert Steffny, running expert and former world-class athlete, to the news agency. „Here, asphalt can even be good. "He also advises to Fußwechselbädern and Eisbeuteln after training. Also, the high-altitude of the foot could be helpful. „For stronger complaints but you should go to an experienced orthopedic surgeons, "said Steffny.

According to Segesser, massages are well suited to stimulate the diffusion of nutrients to the tendon. Only rest should not the Achilles tendon, because it then shortens and loses its elasticity. In it, the experts agree. „You should use the bowstring, but do not overload it, "recommended Segesser." According to Steffny, changing the sport can be helpful.

High heels can cause lasting damage to the Achilles tendon
Women often do not have Achilles tendon problems due to sports overload, but rather due to inappropriate footwear. Researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Vienna publish a study on this topic three years ago „Journal of Experimental Biology ".

High-heeled shoes can damage the Achilles tendon and cause severe pain when walking. The frequent wearing of such shoes causes a shortening of the muscle fibers, since the heel is pressed by the unnatural running constantly upwards. The Achilles tendon compensates for the unnatural height difference. According to researchers, the Achilles tendon itself does not shorten, but in many women it becomes immobile and thicker. When these women are wearing flat shoes again, they sometimes feel pain because the tendon is no longer flexible enough. Who regularly wears high heels should therefore do stretching and strengthening exercises. (Ag)