Achilles Tendon Pain
Expert Management of Achilles Tendon Injuries
Achilles tendon injuries are fairly common, particularly in the male running population between the ages of 30-50 years. Following on from our running focus leading up to the Melbourne marathon, we reviewed a recent research paper (Gheidi et al 2018) that looked at the amount of stress produced on the Achilles tendon whilst performing a number of exercises that are commonly prescribed by Physiotherapists for patients across the board with Achilles tendon pain.
Physiotherapy for Achilles tendon pain.
Gheidi’s study investigated Achilles Tendon (AT) loading during eleven exercises: Tandem (heel/toe standing), Romberg (feet together standing) and standing on one leg; one-legged and bilateral heel raising; one legged and bilateral jump landing; squat, lunge, walking, and running. The authors found - as we would expect, a definite difference between each exercise that was performed. The resulting relative load ranking of the exercises performed in the study provides our KRP Physiotherapists with some straight forward go-to exercise strategies to either progress or sometimes even pull back rehabilitation of an injury to the Achilles tendon.
Having some clear guidelines on load and stress levels that are being placed through the Achilles tendon during specific exercises are extremely important for the clinician to consider when prescribing targeted exercises for rehabilitation purposes, particularly in the running population. This study highlights the need for running athletes to focus not only on strength based exercises (such as calf raises) but also the need to develop push off power (for example in sustained hopping) before expecting to be able to return to endurance running.
The relative loading ranking, in order from least to most load, was:
1) Romberg
2) Squat
3) Tandem standing
Tandem standing for low Achilles tendon load.
4) Unilateral standing
5) Bilateral heel raise
6) Front lunge
Front lunge for rehabilitation of lower limb injuries.
7) Walk
8) Unilateral heel raise
Keilor Road Physiotherapy are the experts in treating lower limb injuries. In this video we explain the perfect single leg calf raise.
9) Run
10) Bilateral jump landing
11) Unilateral jump landing
The team at Keilor Rd Physiotherapy are absolutely committed to evidence based practice, which gets us the best clinical outcomes. If you are experiencing pain around the Achilles tendon make an appointment today for an accurate diagnosis and management plan to get you back running at your best again. Servicing Niddrie, Essendon, Airport West, Keilor & Melbourne’s Northern suburbs for over 40 years, you can book with one of our expert trained Achilles injury team below or call 93794557 to speak to one of our admin superstars.
Related links
Reference
Phys Ther Sport. 2018 Jul;32:260-268. Achilles tendon loading during weight bearing exercises. Gheidi, Kernozek, Willson, Revak, Diers.
Article by
Tom Bevan-Shannon | Physiotherapist
Tom completed a bachelor of Exercise Science from LaTrobe University before completing his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Technology Sydney. He has since worked as a sports trainer in Sydney’s premier AFL division as well as junior elite soccer programs for Football Federation Victoria. This year Tom is the Physio for Essendon Royals FC and the Fremantle Dockers AFLW side.