Overview of treatments for Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon and surrounding tissue, and is common in people who exercise excessively or have improper posture. Treatment is divided intoConservative treatmentandsurgical treatmentTwo categories, focusing on relieving pain and promoting repair. Conservative treatment includes rest, ice, medication, physical therapy and rehabilitation; surgery is only suitable for severe cases that are ineffective for a long time. Daily prevention requires attention to exercise intensity adjustment and foot protection. The following is a detailed explanation from diagnosis to recovery.

Diagnosis and acute management

Diagnosis of Achilles tendonitis requires a combination ofSymptoms(such as heel pain, swelling) andImaging examination(Ultrasound or MRI). The acute phase should be followedRICE principle: Rest (Rest), Ice (Ice), Compression (Compression), Elevation (Elevation). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) can provide short-term pain relief, but long-term use should be avoided. Recommended to wearAchilles tendon protection padorOrthopedic insolesTo reduce stress, products from brands like Scholl or Dr. Comfort can provide support.

Rehabilitation training and physical therapy

After the pain is relieved, proceed graduallystretchandintensive training. For example, heel drop exercise (Eccentric loading) can enhance the toughness of the Achilles tendon, 3 groups per day, 15 times per group. Physical therapy such asUltrasound therapyorshockwave therapyIt can promote tissue repair, and clinical data shows that the effective rate is about 70% (see table below). Some hospitals use extracorporeal shock wave equipment, such as the DolorClast series from Swiss STORZ Medical.

Surgery and long-term management

If conservative treatment is ineffective for 6 months, you may need toSurgical cleanupDegenerated tissue or repair of the Achilles tendon. It requires 6-8 weeks of immobilization and rehabilitation training after surgery. Long term management emphasisSports adjustment: Avoid sudden increases in intensity and choose running shoes with good cushioning (such as Asics Gel-Kayano). Studies have shown that losing 5% of body weight in obese patients can reduce the risk of recurrence by 30% (Source: American Academy of Osteopathic Medicine).

Summary and prevention suggestions

Achilles tendonitis treatment needs to be divided into stages: control inflammation in the acute stage, strengthen function in the recovery stage, and consider surgery in stubborn cases. The key to prevention isscientific movement(if warmed up adequately) andEquipment adaptation. If symptoms persist, you should seek medical treatment promptly and avoid blindly using folk remedies. The cited data comes from the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" and Harvard Medical School guidelines, and device manufacturers include STORZ Medical and Bauerfeind.