Achilles Tendon Injuries & Torn Achilles

The Achilles tendon, which runs from your heel bones to your calf muscles, is commonly known as the largest tendon in your body. Unfortunately, Achilles tendon injuries can occur quite commonly in sports activities such as jumping, running, walking, football, Baseball, Softball soccer, tennis, swimming, and basketball among others.

Torn Achilles can be highly problematic for athletes, and often sidelines them completely during recovery. Achilles tendon injuries can hinder one's ability to move freely or perform in virtually any sports activity. This foot injury is best known for its ability to cause extreme discomfort and excruciating pain. But, it can be fixed.

What causes Achilles tendon injuries?

A torn/ruptured Achilles tendon can occur as a result of many things. For starters, Achilles injuries can affect anyone regardless of whether they are active in sports activities or not. These injuries can be caused by any of the following factors;

·      Wrong footwear

·      Overstretching

·      Fallen arches/flat feet

·      Steroid injections

·      Physical fitness activities

·      Age

·      Weak or stiff leg muscles/tendons

·      Consumption of fluoroquinolones antibiotics

·      Sudden leg movements

Symptoms of Achilles tendon injuries

·      Tenderness/swellings/stiffness

·      Excruciating pain

·      Movement problems, particularly when stretching your ankle or knee

·      Inability to stand on your toes

·      Skin discoloration

·      Bruising

·      Discomfort/uneasiness

·      Disturbed sleep patterns

·      Mood disorders such as stress and anxiety

Prevention of Achilles tendon injuries

You can lower risks of developing Achilles tendon tears/ruptures problems through the following tactics and tips;

·      Wear appropriate footwear: Resist from wearing high heels or uncomfortable, or ill-fitting shoes.

·      Engage in stretching the calf muscles to help create more flexibility in your tendons/muscles significantly.

·      Exercise regularly, and remember to warm up beforehand.

·      Avoid running, jumping or exercising on uneven surfaces.

·      Increase your training intensity at a slow pace.

·      Avoid engaging in risky or vigorous physical activities that may mount extreme stress on your tendon Achilles unnecessarily.

Diagnosis of Achilles tendon injuries

Achilles tendon ruptures or tears can be diagnosed through the following mechanisms;

1.     Physical exams

Any reputable healthcare professional or orthopedic doctor can conduct a thorough physical exam to diagnose a torn or ruptured tendon. Your GP may scrutinize your lower leg for swellings, tenderness, bruises or skin discoloration. A gap in your tendon Achilles may be an indication of a severe rupture.

2.     X-rays

The advancement in medicine technology has been a great boost to the general healthcare sector. Doctors can examine the extent of a torn/ruptured tendon Achilles through the use of x-rays.

3.     Ultrasounds

Your doctor may decide to conduct an in-depth inspection on your lower leg using ultrasounds to determine the extent of your Achilles inflammation, tear, rupture or any other damage.

4.     MRI Scans

MRI scans have become popular among doctors due to their effectiveness in facilitating detection of ruptured or torn Achilles.

Treatments for Tendon Injuries

Having a torn Achilles or ruptured tendon? Well, you don’t have to stress yourself excessively. Achilles injuries can be treated through the following techniques;

1.     Non-surgical methods

Doctors may be able to treat a torn Achilles using non-surgical, non-invasive methods such as exercising, elevation, ice, rest, stretching, or just being careful.

2.     Physical therapy

Your doctor can treat your torn/ruptured tendon using a physical therapy program.

3.     Surgery

This is normally the best option for treating severe Achilles tendon ruptures according to many doctors. Your GP may recommend an orthopedic surgery after realizing that all other treatment options are ineffective.

4.     Rehabilitation

Your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program that combines regular exercises, well-balanced diet, and physical therapy after your non-surgical or surgical treatment for a quicker Achilles tendon injury recovery.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

6 Benefits of Regular Exercise for Athletes

Professional athletes involved in vigorous sports such as swimming, football, rugby, running, boxing, skiing, snowboarding, and gymnastics adapt highly specialized exercise routines. Even for moderate athletes, it's important to partake in at least 30 minutes per day to engage in more vigorous, yet proper exercises. Failure to exercise smart on a regular basis can be disastrous for professional or highly active sportsmen/women. Exercising has numerous mental and physical health benefits for athletes.

These benefits include the following:

      1.     Flexibility

Flexibility is a key factor in sports. All athletes should consider incorporating exercising programs in their lifestyles to improve their flexibility. Having better flexibility can help in preventing minor, mild or even severe sports injuries. Improved flexibility will also boost your movement, performances, and productivity as an athlete. Many professional athletes have found themselves on the sidelines after suffering from unnecessary sports injuries including ankle, shoulder, hip flexor, neck, knee, and hamstring injuries due to poor flexibility.

2.     Endurance

The majority of sports activities require participants to have a certain degree of endurance. It is imperative for those in sports such as volleyball, soccer, football, basketball, rugby or swimming to engage in muscular and cardio endurance exercises on a regular basis. The beauty of such exercises is that they boost your endurance, leading to high energy levels, strong bones/muscles, and better performance. Lack of endurance can impact a sports career negatively, and cause an athlete to become "gassed", with minimal ability for quick recovery.

3.     Promotes weight regulating

Exercising can help athletes to maintain the required weight. Many sports activities such as boxing and MMA require certain weight levels for weight divisions, but weight management also helps with an athlete's overall efficiency, quickness and strength. Exercises can boost your weight loss effort significantly. Along with the correct diet, regular exercises can help you solve all your underweight or overweight issues effectively.

4.     Increased Muscle Mass

Engaging in strength training exercises such as weight lifting, bench press, pull-ups, and squats can help you develop increased muscle mass within a short period of time. Strength training also helps in increasing flexibility, improving ligaments/muscles/tendons strength, and improving your metabolic rate. Improved strength improves an athlete's performance in virtually all sports activities such as rugby, soccer, volleyball, swimming and football, among others.

5.     Boosts relaxation

Exercises can help in promoting relaxation and improving your sleep patterns significantly. Athletes need to rest properly in order to boost their energy levels, rebuild their bodies, and help prevent sports injuries. Relaxation plays a vital role in boosting your self-confidence, self-esteem, and performances. Fatigue, exhaustion and overworking your muscles can lead to numerous sports injuries, poor results, and reduced performances for athletes.

6.     Exercise boosts energy

Athletes who exercise regularly perform much better than those who don’t. Some sports activities such as football, rugby, soccer, swimming, and skiing require high endurance, agility and strength. Engaging in regular physical fitness exercises can boost an athletes energy levels tremendously, leading to better performances and results. Low energy levels can destroy an athlete’s career quicker than it started.

The bottom line is that every athlete should incorporate regular exercises in their lifestyles for efficiency, flexibility, agility, endurance, mood lifting, strength, and stress-relieving purposes. 

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.