Olympic Hopeful's Achille's Heel

Achilles injuries are typically touted as being due to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Gradually overtime the tendon becomes weakened which leaves it more prone to injury, especially with a bad step or a new workout plan. Achilles injuries can also be due to being worked hard, such as in a runner. A recent example in the news of this incidence is Olympic hopeful Jenny Meadows from London. She is set to compete in the trials for qualifications, but her recent reinjury to her Achilles tendon may make it better for her this year.

There are many different levels of injury to the Achilles tendon dependent upon how severe the actual injury is. Two imaging modalities that are great for visualizing the tendon are Ultrasound and MRI. On an MRI, you are able to determine if the injury is taking up part of the tendon or the entire thing. Injuries are classified as being minor or major partial tears or a complete rupture. The level of your injury will determine the course of action that is best for your treatment.

For smaller injuries, a great modality is laser treatment of the injured area. Laser treatment consists of treating the area with a specific wavelength of energy that will stimulate the area to become an acute injury again allowing all of the cells necessary for proper healing to migrate to the area once again. By giving your body the chance to heal this area as an acute injury, it means that you are much more likely to see the strength and quality of your once injured tissue return to that of its pre-injury quality.

If the injury is more severe, immobilization to provide the injury with time to heal followed by physical therapy to regain strength may be the best option. Finally, if the tendon has actually ruptured then surgical treatment is the recommended course to reattach the tendon to its proper location.

An Achilles injury can range from a pain level of barely any clear up to excruciating pain at your heel. This is why if you notice any swelling in the area or bruising, it is very important to seek consult from your podiatrist. If you or someone you know has suffered from any level of Achilles injury, our office staff would be more than happy to schedule an appointment for you. Our offices serve the Methuen, Lowell, Burlington and Stoneham, Massachusetts.