The inflammatory process in Achilles tendon area provokes the development of degenerative changes. The disease affects the soft tissues of the ankle joint. Inflammation is accompanied by characteristic clinical signs. Comprehensive diagnostics and correctly selected treatment are required, since in the absence of medical care, serious complications appear.
Record content:
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1 Classification
- 1.1 Peritendinitis
- 1.2 Tendinitis
- 1.3 Enthesopathy
- 2 Clinical signs
- 3 Etiology
- 4 Pathogenesis
- 5 How to diagnose
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6 Treatment methods
- 6.1 Drug therapy
- 6.2 Folk remedies
- 6.3 Physiotherapy procedures
- 6.4 Physiotherapy
- 6.5 Operation
- 7 Consequences and complications
- 8 Video about Achilles Tendon Inflammation
Classification
In medicine, there are certain types of inflammation that affects the Achilles tendon. The classification is determined depending on the area of localization of degenerative changes and the degree of their spread, damage to nearby tissues.
Peritendinitis
The disease is characterized by damage to the soft tissues that are located around the tendon. In some situations, under the influence of negative factors, degenerative changes develop.
Tendinitis
The pathological condition is accompanied by an inflammatory process that affects only the Achilles tendons.
Enthesopathy
A disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the area of the joint between the tendon and the bone structure. In some situations, growths are formed (heel spur, calcification).
In each individual case, the patient develops characteristic clinical signs that will help determine the cause and make an accurate diagnosis. It is important not to delay the visit to the doctor and immediately go to the hospital. Timely diagnosis and correctly selected therapy will help prevent serious consequences.
Clinical signs
Achilles tendon (inflammation, treatment will be determined by a traumatologist) under the influence of many factors is damaged. The symptomatology of inflammation will allow the specialist to establish the type of disease, stage and degree of development of degenerative changes.
Pathology is accompanied by the following clinical signs:
| Name | Description |
| Pain syndrome | Pain occurs in the tendon area. Increased while moving. At rest, the painful sensations may diminish or disappear completely. |
| Edema | The ankle swells as the inflamed tendons increase in size. |
| Hyperemia | The skin in the area of the inflammatory process turns red. |
| Crunch | During movement in the place of development of degenerative changes, a specific sound is heard. |
| Local hyperthermia | The local temperature rises. The skin in the area of the inflammatory process becomes hot. |
The mobility of the affected limb is also impaired. The gastrocnemius muscle strains, which also provokes the appearance of discomfort and pain. In the absence of timely and correctly selected therapy, the inflammatory process takes on a chronic form. In this situation, the disease is accompanied by a severe pain syndrome that does not go away even at rest.
Degenerative changes can develop at the site where the tendons and heel bone meet. Pathology in medicine is called achillobursitis.
It is accompanied by the following clinical symptoms:
- there is a strong pain syndrome in the heel and ankle, which intensifies after physical exertion;
- it is difficult for a person to stand on their fingers or jump;
- the ankle swells on both sides.
In some situations, the mobility of the affected lower limb is reduced or completely limited.
It hurts a person to step on it. It is important in this situation to immediately undergo a comprehensive examination and start treatment. Delayed therapy will lead to the progression of the inflammatory process. Degenerative changes will spread to nearby healthy tissues and bones.
Etiology
In most cases, the inflammatory process in the Achilles tendon is provoked by chronic ankle injuries. The same goes for professional athletes or people who face a lot of physical activity every day.
There are also minor factors that provoke the development of pathological processes:
- injury and damage to the tendon in the ankle;
- the use of uncomfortable shoes, walking in high heels;
- concomitant inflammatory diseases of the ankle joint;
- infectious damage to the body;
- congenital tendon diseases;
- violation of material metabolism in the human body, as a result of which there is an accumulation of a large amount of salts in soft tissues;
- development of gout;
- chronic diseases of the lower extremities.
The elderly are also at risk. An aging body is more susceptible to various changes. The connective tissue becomes thinner, against the background of which microcracks and various types of trauma appear.
Pathogenesis
Under the influence of numerous negative internal and external factors in the area of the Achilles tendon, the inflammatory process begins. This applies to microtraumas, heavy loads. The degenerative-inflammatory process affects the tendon tissue. If you alternate loads and rest correctly, they can cope with inflammation on their own. Adaptation to intense influences takes place.
If you do not follow the rest regimen, then microtraumas turn into pathological processes that entail more serious changes and diseases.
How to diagnose
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is important to identify at an early stage in the development of pathological processes, since timely treatment will stop degenerative changes and prevent serious complications. Diagnostic measures are prescribed by a traumatologist, taking into account the patient's complaints and his condition.
| Name | Description |
| Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) | A diagnostic method by which a specialist determines the area of localization of the inflammatory process and reveals a tendon rupture. |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | The most informative examination method that allows you to see clearly the structure of the affected tissues. |
| Echography | During the examination, ultrasound is used. The results will help determine the degree of deviation and contraction of the Achilles. |
| General blood analysis | Testing will reveal the inflammatory process in which blood counts change. |
| Rheumatoid tests | Analyzes will determine the development of rheumatism. |
It is important to differentiate the disease and establish an accurate diagnosis, since many pathologies are accompanied by similar clinical symptoms. Given the cause of the inflammatory process, the patient may need to consult other specialized doctors (surgeon, therapist).
Treatment methods
Therapy of the inflammatory process in the area of the Achilles tendon is carried out using complex methods. Medicines are used, if there are no medical contraindications, it is allowed to use folk remedies.
Patients also need to attend physiotherapy treatments. When complications appear, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the ankle are treated surgically.
Drug therapy
The Achilles tendon (inflammation, treatment requires careful diagnosis) is damaged by various factors. Medications are prescribed to the victims to reduce pain and inflammation. Medicines also help restore blood circulation.
It is important to adhere to the dosage strictly to reduce the likelihood of side effects.
| Drug group | Name | Application |
| Analgesics | Baralgin, Tempalgin | Medicines relieve pain and muscle spasm. The drug is taken orally, adults are prescribed 1-2 tablets 3 times a day. In a serious condition, analgesics are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Ibuprofen, Diclofenac | The drugs reduce soft tissue edema, pain and inflammation. The standard dosage for adult patients is 400-800 mg 3-4 times a day. |
| Antibacterial drugs | Erythromycin, Cefazolin | Medicines are prescribed to patients if the inflammation is provoked by pathogenic microorganisms. Wide-spectrum drugs are used. Adults are prescribed 200-500 mg 4 times a day before meals for 1 hour or after meals after 2-3 hours. The course of treatment lasts 5-14 days. |
| Glucocorticosteroids | Kenalog, Dexamethasone | The drugs are injected into the tissues around the Achilles tendon. Blocks with these medications can help relieve intense pain. Patients, depending on the condition, are prescribed 10-40 mg 1 time in 2 weeks. |
| External medications | Dolobene, Voltaren | Gels, ointments and creams improve blood circulation in the area of inflammation, and also reduce pain and tissue edema. The medicine is applied to the affected area of the body 3 cm 2-4 times a day, rubbed thoroughly with light massage movements until completely absorbed. |
Additionally, patients with inflammation of the Achilles tendon are prescribed vitamin-mineral complexes that increase the body's defenses and its resistance to degenerative processes. In some situations, ankle immobilization is required. For this, special dressings, orthopedic products are used.
Folk remedies
Alternative medicine can be used for ankle injury, but as an adjunct. It is important to discuss the treatment with your doctor and find the most effective, safe method. The ingredients used in recipes can provoke an allergic reaction or individual sensitivity. We must not forget about the risk of complications.
Achilles tendon (inflammation, treatment requires timely consultation with a traumatologist) are treated using the following effective methods:
| Name | Recipe | Application |
| Onion compress | Grind 3 small onions in a meat grinder or grater. Add sea salt (2 tablespoons) to the resulting gruel. | The resulting mass must be applied to a small piece of gauze and applied to the area where the inflammatory process develops. |
| Tincture of walnut partitions | Pour the main component (1 tbsp.) With vodka (0.5 l). The resulting mass must be kept for 20 minutes and taken orally. | Adults are advised to use a tincture of 1 dl. every day 2 times. |
| Mummy | Mountain resin can be taken internally or made into an oily solution for grinding. Shilajit is dissolved in warm milk. | The resulting oil solution is rubbed into the affected area of the body 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Then you need to take a break for 10 days and continue therapy. Inside mountain resin is recommended to take 0.1-0.5 g. |
The site of the inflammatory process can be lubricated with lavender oil. Curcumin is a natural antibiotic and antioxidant that reduces inflammation. It is enough to take it inside 0.5 g. Ice cubes can also be used to massage the affected area.
Physiotherapy procedures
Together with traditional treatments and folk remedies, patients are encouraged to attend physiotherapy. Specially prescribed physiotherapy procedures will help reduce inflammation in the ankle area, improve blood circulation and eliminate painful sensations.
Patients are advised to attend the following treatment sessions:
- drug electrophoresis;
- ultrasound therapy;
- mud treatment;
- magnetic therapy;
- paraffin applications;
- laser treatment.
When the period of exacerbation has passed, it is necessary to attend massage procedures. It is important that the sessions are conducted by a qualified professional. Self-massage can damage the tendon and cause it to deteriorate.
Physiotherapy
Achilles tendon (inflammation, treatment is determined by the doctor with the help of a comprehensive examination), if damaged, requires complex therapy. During the period of rehabilitation after surgery, patients are recommended to perform therapeutic exercises.
Specially selected exercises will help restore ankle mobility, improve blood circulation in the injured area and speed up the recovery process.
A set of exercises will be selected by a physiotherapist:
- Easy walking. It is important to wear comfortable shoes; rolls from heel to toe should be performed smoothly, without a sharp eversion of the foot. Load strength, exercise time, and stride length should be increased gradually.
- You can do half-squats on toes, run. But before the exercises, do a light warm-up, warm up the muscles and tendons.
- Facing the wall and leaning on your hands, push the injured leg back a little, resisting with your toe. Do not move the healthy limb, only bend slightly in the knee area. You need to be in this position for 30 seconds, then you should take the starting position and repeat the exercise 3-5 times.
Experts recommend that most of the classes be performed in water, since in this state the weight of the human body decreases, classes are easier and with little stress.
Operation
Surgical treatment is prescribed to patients in difficult situations when there is no positive result after the use of drugs.
The main indications for surgical intervention:
- The formation of bone growths as a result of a strong inflammatory process due to Haglund's deformation.
- When a tendon ruptures, the surgeon removes the affected tissue and sutures the remaining joints.
After the surgical treatment, the patient will have a long rehabilitation period. At this time, it is necessary to completely immobilize the lower limb with the help of special devices.
After 1.5-2 months of rehabilitation, the patient is removed from the stabilizing boot and massage procedures and physiotherapy exercises are prescribed. Recovery sessions will help improve circulation and ankle mobility.
Consequences and complications
Negative complications and consequences await a person if the treatment of inflammation of the Achilles tendon was not carried out in a timely manner. The same goes for improperly selected therapies. The scheme is selected by a traumatologist or surgeon, taking into account the results of the examination and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Complications of the inflammatory process in the area of the Achilles tendon:
- chronic course of the disease;
- violation of the integrity of the tendons;
- the spread of the inflammatory process to the ankle joint;
- getting the infection into the blood and the development of sepsis.
The chronic form of inflammation is difficult to treat and is characterized by periodic exacerbations. Therefore, the patient will have to follow certain rules all his life in order to prevent the outbreak of degenerative changes.
Inflammation in the area of the Achilles tendon is not life-threatening if the cause of the pathological condition is established in a timely manner and treatment is started. Otherwise, progressive changes will lead to serious consequences that will significantly affect the quality of human life.
Video about Achilles Tendon Inflammation
Malysheva on inflammation of the Achilles tendon:
