Achilles Tendon Pain

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What is the posterior tibial tendon?
Physical activities like walking or running depend on the proper functioning of various feet muscles and bones. The structure of the foot also plays a major role in assisting locomotion. For example, the arches located on the soles of the feet help in supporting the body’s weight while reducing pressure on the legs.
The arch located beneath the inner ankle is supported by a tendon known as the Posterior tibial tendon (PTT). This tendon stretches as we turn or twist the foot to balance the body in different postures while walking or running. The tendon is a cord-shaped fibrous tissue running from the lower part of the feet above the ankle going down into the arch of the feet.
How does it get damaged?
Often due to sudden increase in physical activity or incorrect posture while running the tendon gets over stretched. This results in inflammation and wear and tear of the cord tissue giving rise to a condition known as Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). If the condition is left untreated, the tissue degenerates further leading to a flattening of the foot and arthritis of the ankle and foot joints.
Prevention is always better
To avoid damaging the posterior tibial tendon it is important to

Warm up before commencing any strenuous physical activity
Wear proper footwear which cushions the feet properly while playing sports of any kind.
Avoid running on hard surfaces wearing thin soled footwear; this invariably causes major damage to the feet muscles and tendons
Always massage the feet with oil or other lotion after engaging in activities like hiking, trekking, jogging, running or walking long distances
Ensure that the tendons are free of tension and kept supple.

The posterior tibial tendon also wears with age and activity. PTTD is hence also called as “adult acquired flatfoot”. The condition, once it develops, progressively affects the ankle and surrounding parts if not treated early.
Some of the symptoms of posterior tibial dysfunction are

Pain beneath the ankle joint radiating to the sole
Swelling of the tendon which appears as a reddish mark on the exterior
A flattening of the arch of the foot
The ankle turning inwards

In the initial stages the pain is felt in the inner part of the feet. If remedial action is not taken at this stage the arch flattens and the pain then spreads to the outer parts. Arthritis also develops at this stage in the foot and ankle a condition which could need surgical intervention.
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction treatment involves both non-surgical as well as surgical methods. If the condition is treated early the symptoms often disappear provided one does not strain the tendons by unnecessary strenuous activity.
Some methods that have proved to be effective in arresting the condition are

Use of stirrups and braces to support the ankle
Wearing shoes recommended by a podiatrist with devices to improve foot alignment
Physical therapy and exercises that strengthen the tendons
Anti-inflammatory drugs which are non-steroidal

In extreme cases the foot is immobilized with the help of a cast to avoid any further damage. If the foot heals in due course of time then surgery may not be needed. Surgery for posterior tibial dysfunction is needed for advanced cases in which the tissues and bones have not responded to external treatment. The surgery is followed by up to six weeks of physiotherapy treatment.

For the last few weeks of August, I have been running a lot. However, at the end of these few weeks, the tendon at the back of my foot (I believe it’s called the Achilles Tendon), along with the muscle above it behind my shin, started to hurt whenever I walk. Also whenever I rest my shin on the knee of my other leg when sitting, i feel a sore pain down to my ankles.

I have stopped running, and it’s been about a week now, and it is still sore.

Is there a special way to heal this kind of thing? Because I really want to start running again.

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Tendonitis is painful and can interfere with daily activities. Those who suffer from it may benefit from some of these natural treatments for tendonitis.

What is Tendonitis?

A tendon is a fibrous structure that connects muscles to bone. Tendonitis is characterized by pain, inflammation and swelling in this structure. The most common areas afflicted by tendonitis are the shoulder, wrist, elbow, knee, heel and ankle.

Acupuncture for Tendonitis

Acupuncture is a practice of medicine that can be used as a natural treatment for tendonitis. Acupuncture eases pain by using fine, hollow-pointed needles on certain points on the body called meridians. This practice is designed to remove blocks and rebalance vital energy called ‘chi’ within the body. A trained acupuncturist will work with you over the course of several appointments to ease your tendonitis pain.

Friction Massage Therapy for Tendonitis

Friction massage is a technique that can be performed at home as a natural treatment for tendonitis pain. This natural therapy requires only your hands, a few minutes of time and some ice. Using gentle but firm pressure, massage the tendon with the pads of your fingers or a thumb perpendicular to the fibres of the tendon. Do this for approximately two minutes. This stimulation will cause some discomfort but should ease as the massage continues. After two minutes, stop. Then, repeat the process using a bit more pressure. Stop after two minutes. Repeat with more pressure. Stop. Finish the massage by icing the area with raw ice or an ice pack for two minutes or until the area numbs. It is important to note that the discomfort should be bearable and ease during the massage. If it does not or it becomes worse, do not use friction massage.

Essential Oils for Tendonitis

Essential oils are the medicinal substances pressed from plants. Some essential oils can be used to naturally treat tendonitis pain. Eucalyptus oil is an excellent anti-inflammatory and provides pain relief when massaged directly into the site of tendonitis pain. Those with high blood pressure should avoid eucalyptus. Lavender has a soothing, calming effect and can provide natural tendonitis pain relief when massaged into the afflicted tendon. Those with low blood pressure should avoid lavender. Always take care to avoid sensitive areas such as lips and eyes when using essential oils. Start out with a small amount at first to test for possible allergic reaction and remember, a little goes a long way.

Homeopathy for Tendonitis

Homeopathy operates on the principle, “like treats like” and works with your body on a subtle, energetic level. Homeopathic remedy, arnica montana, can be used as a natural treatment to relieve the pain and inflammation of tendonitis. It can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or used in topical cream form.

Supplements & Herbs for Tendonitis

Vitamin C is critical to fighting the body’s inflammatory response and can aid in healing tendonitis by boosting the immune system. Minerals calcium and magnesium are essential to proper muscle and connective tissue function as well as maintaining neurological health. White willow bark is a natural pain reliever that can be used in place of aspirin. It is important to note if you are allergic to aspirin or salicylates, you should not use white willow bark. Boswellia is another natural herbal pain reliever that can be used in place of NSAIDs. If you are on a blood thinning medication, talk to your health care provider before using white willow bark or boswellia.

Tendonitis doesn’t have to get you down. Try these natural treatments and you should be feeling better in no time!

I recently developed a case of achilles tendinitis from playing basketball. Not knowing what it was i continued to practice on it but lightly and at half speed. A week and a half later i went to the doctor who took some x rays and told me to keep completely off it ( no running or jumping ) and to come back in three weeks if it was still hurting.Ive been off it for almost two weeks now, but it doesn’t seem to be getting much better. I’ve also been stretching it. Oddly enough, it doesn’t hurt when i wear slippers but as soon as I put shoes on or ankle braces that touch it it starts hurting and makes me limp when i walk. Is there anything else i can do to make it heal faster and keep me in shape besides the stationary bike? I’m mostly concerned for track season because meets start in around five weeks. How much longer do you think it’ll take to heal ? Do you think I’ll be in shape enough to run competitively ( around a 5 or 6 minute mile – I was able to do that by the end of cross country season) by the time track starts?
i mean completely off it for around two weeks no practicing what so ever and have been careful. I dont plan to run on it unless its fully healed I’m just hoping it will heal soon because i can’t stand this lack of activity especially when im used to running miles a day

I got a concussion two months ago and it still has not healed. I didn’t even hit my head that hard.

I was diagnosed in february with mild tendinitis, still has not healed. The dr said it would take about a month for it to heal…

My friend dropped a 100 pg paperback book on my hand from about 3 feet above me and it swelled up for a few days.

I twisted my ankle and it took a month to heal.

It seems that I always get hurt by the stupidest things and they don’t heal. Could there be something wrong with me?
I bruise super easily and things swell up like crazy.
The ankle took 2 months to heal. sorry.

i dance ballet and we tip toe a lot. i think i have achilles tendinitis and i don’t know how to heal it. i don’t know if it’s worse but i don’t think so. i can still stand on my toes and go up the stairs but after sleeping, i feel pain the next day. only on my left foot. when i tap my ankle, it kinda hurts. and there’s a popping like sound or creaking when i raise it or rise to my toes. it’s not red and swelling. i don’t know how to heal it. can i just rest for a week and start doing my activities? or should i rest for a month?

Hi everyone. Let me tell you what’s going on. At the end of this May, I was diagnosed with achilles tendinitis. My current girlfriend lives on a hill, and I re-injured it twice by visiting her. Now, when I visit her I do not get out of the car, and we spend time together in my car. I know she is losing her patience with me. Also, she doesn’t drive, so it is up to me to go visit her. Since then, I have been suffering from depression, as I cannot go inside her house, and it seems like it’s never going to heal. To make things worse, it feels like I’m starting to develop it in my other foot. I am also experiencing hip pain. I know my depression will end when my AT heals. I have been doing the calf stretches, and taking NSAIDS since then. Sometimes it feels good, but everyday @ work, my ankle/calf swells up. I have an office job, so I’m not on my feet all day. I have been to the DR twice, and podiatrist once. They said to continue on the NSAIDS and keep doing the stretches. How long am I looking at?

Yenzer lets his players heal
Midland High football coach Craig Yenzer spent a good portion of this past weekend reviewing film from Friday’s scrimmage against El Paso Americas in Artesia, N.M.

I sprained my ankle the day after Memorial Day, so it has been close to 5 months since I was hurt. It is still normal for it to hurt everyday? I have been through 6 weeks of physical therapy and was told to continue to use it as I normally would but in moderation. I am a runner so I started to get back into running again. The pain started to get worse so I haven’t ran in a couple weeks. I know ice and elevation are good to help the healing process. I have Achille’s tendonitis (inflammation in my Achille’s tendon) so I have pain in my Achilles also. Any help on this pain? I was told it would only take 6-8 weeks to heal, I didn’t know it would take 5 months. Is this normal?For the most part, the pain is not localized, it varies in different places of my foot. I haven’t had any tests besides X-rays done, and they showed nothing. I was told if it gets worse to have an MRI done, but most doctors just tell me it is ok for it to this long. Is all of this normal?