Just on a roll with sports, and all of a sudden, you have to stop again because of arising pain complaints. An Achilles tendon injury is a very common injury/complaint. Many people think that an Achilles tendon injury is an inflammation or a tear, but this is certainly not the case. In most cases, there is increased fluid and cells in the Achilles tendon. However, the structure of the tendon is unchanged, resulting in painful swelling. Research has indicated that there is no characteristic inflammatory response in the tendon!
Symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury
An Achilles tendon injury can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- Increase in pain complaints. The pain can be felt a couple of centimetres above the heel
- Increased swelling in the middle of the Achilles tendon or the attachment of the heel
- Morning stiffness occurs in the Achilles tendon
Causes
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body. When overused, a reaction occurs in the Achilles tendon. This will result in an increase in fluid and cells, but the structure of the tendon remains the same. Sometimes, a painful swelling occurs. Very often, it is thought of as tendon inflammation. However, research shows that athletes with an Achilles tendon injury don't have a significant inflammatory reaction.
Solution and treatment
Once you have sustained an Achilles tendon injury, it will be a bother for quite some time. There are several things you can do to help the injury subside and reduce swelling. The most important thing is rest. This is easier said than done. You can also massage the tendon with an ice cube to reduce the swelling. Finally, it is recommended to wear a good brace to help support your Achilles tendon. An Achilles tendon support not only supports the affected area, but also offers compression to the heel. This reliefs your Achilles tendon, causing complaints to disappear faster.
