Pain or stiffness in your ankle or calf could be caused by your Achilles.
Have you ever experienced that niggle in your lower calf near your Achilles? It starts off stiff when you run and feels better once its warmed up? Or you wake up in the morning and your ankles force you to walk ‘stiff legged’ ? Your ankles don’t want to move until they have warmed up?
These symptoms are classic of a tendinopathy. Tendinopathy tends to be more prolific as we age and/or have a large loading increase in a relatively short period of time.
With the Covid restrictions last year preventing many from attending their usual sporting activities, and the Football and Netball season quickly approaching, I want to reach out to those about to embark on another season of the winter games we enjoy.
What is tendinopathy?
In essence it is a failed response to healing, and over time can alter the make-up of the tendon itself, where inflammation only plays a small part of the process.
- The good news is that Physio is perfectly positioned to help you. Achilles pain can be treated and tendinopathy can be prevented or reversed.
- The bad news is that tendons receive less blood flow compared to muscles and subsequently can take longer to recover.
Which is why I am reaching out now to encourage all players, from all codes, to ensure hey have had an adequate pre-season and increased loading over time. In this instance prevention – is definitely much better than the cure!
If you have any questions about tendinopathy, or exercises to prevent damage, please feel free to reach out or drop into the clinic when I am available. Alternatively, you could book a comprehensive assessment by following the link below.
