Achilles tendon and problems associated with it

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon that exists in the human body. It connects the heel bone and the leg muscle. Without it, during walking people could not fully push their toes off the ground. Also, the Achilles tendon is also the most durable and thick tendon in our body.

When walking, and even more so when running on it, enormous loads are placed, which many times exceed the load from the pressure of the human body. Achilles tendon in length can reach fifteen centimeters. It is named after an indestructible hero of ancient Greek myths, but in itself indestructible and invulnerable is not. With him, many people from time to time there are certain problems that can often be very unpleasant.

Perhaps the most common disease of this tendon is nothing more than tendopathy. It includes tendonitis and tendonitis. In the first case, we are talking about inflammation of the tendon, and in the second case , about its microscopic ruptures, which most often appear after overexertion.

Also with the Achilles tendon is associated such an unpleasant ailment as its full or partial rupture. This is by no means a rare occurrence. Partial rupture is usually not associated with any symptoms, with complete rupture, pain occurs, and the foot and shin become less mobile.

Achilles tendon can not cause anxiety for a long time, even if it is severely damaged, but sooner or later the symptoms will come out. This almost always happens abruptly and very unexpectedly.

Causes and symptoms of possible damage

Very often, athletes suffer from problems with it, which constantly overstrain it during training. Achilles tendon most of all suffers from rapid running, jumping and sudden stops during a fast movement. Usually it all starts with microdamages, which very quickly develop into something more. These lesions rarely occur when the athlete engages in the same schedule on a daily basis - the Achilles tendon is affected at a time when changes begin to occur in this chart. The same goes for ordinary people when they suddenly start to play sports. Do not forget that even a regular run is for a unprepared body very much stress. A rupture of the Achilles tendon and other troubles with it can arise from uncomfortable shoes, both sporty and everyday.

Speaking of the symptoms, it is first of all to say that the damage to the Achilles tendon causes pain and discomfort. This discomfort is that the damaged area of the body grows dumb, and walking becomes very difficult. Sometimes pain can occur only during movement, and sometimes it can be troubling even at the moment when the leg is in a state of complete rest. There may be a swelling.

Achilles tendon: treatment

If the first symptoms of damage are found, it is recommended to immediately stop all exercises, especially those that are somehow connected with stretching. To calm the pain, it is recommended to use various pain medications. If the Achilles tendon has suffered during training (or in other circumstances), it is urgent to put ice on the damaged area. In particularly severe cases, doctors impose a plaster or special bandages.

In order to avoid problems with it, it is recommended not to start sports without warm-up, wear only comfortable shoes, and run as carefully as possible. If you are not an athlete, but want to prove yourself in some kind of sport, then do not train yourself, but seek help from those who really understand how to train without harming one's health.

Joking with the Achilles tendon is not worth it, since even the slightest damage to it can require prolonged treatment.