Achilles Tendonitis

Lots of football injuries result from wear and tear due to excessive use of the same muscle groups and joints over a long period of time. If muscles and joints are continually put under a great deal of strain they can become weakened and more susceptible to injury.

What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?

The Achilles tendon is found at the back of the heel at the lower end of the calf and is attached to the heel bone. Its job is to help people walk or run properly and it can support our full body weight. It is the biggest, strongest tendon in the whole body.  Achilles Tendonitis can occur when the tendons are weakened from being constantly overexerted. Rolling over on your foot also places extra strain on the tendon. Over time, lesions can form inside the tendon, which become inflammed, making the Achilles tendon much weaker and less stable. If you continue playing whilst suffering from this condition, the tendon may end up rupturing completely. You will feel pain in the back of your heel, which will get worse during exercise. The heel will probably to be sore to touch and will be very stiff when you get up the next morning. This particular injury is common in all footballers, regardless of age or gender, because of the amount of pressure that is exerted on the Achilles tendon.

Prevention of Achilles Tendonitis

Doing exercises that stretch and strengthen the Achilles tendon will help to keep it strong and stable. Any exercise that puts pressure on the tendon (running, jumping) should be controlled to make sure that the tendon has fully recovered before the next match or training session.

Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis

Ice treatment will reduce pain and swelling. Putting strapping around the heel area and taking medication prescribed by a doctor will further help to reduce inflammation. A course of physiotherapy will increase the Achilles tendon's strength and stability. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the weakened parts of the tendon and restore the tendon to full working order. It will take 3-6 months to recover from the surgery before you can start playing football again.