Tendon Strain
Tendons, which are located at both ends of a muscle, attach the muscle to the bone. Tendons are found throughout the body but the Achilles tendon is the largest. It attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone.
As a muscle contracts, the attached tendon pulls the bone into movement. At the same time, the soft tissues making up the tendon help absorb some of the impact from the muscles springing into action.
A strain is a stretch or tear in the tissues making up a tendon or muscle. These injuries commonly occur while participating in sports.
Other injuries, such as tendinopathy, can also be the result of aging, irritation, or another underlying problem.
Tendinopathy means that you have tiny tears in your tendon. Although small tears are normal following physical activities, tendinopathy can become a degenerative condition, when the tears do not heal quickly enough. This problem causes pain and makes it hard to move your foot and ankle. Tendinopathy is often called tendinosis and associated with tendonitis.
Tendons can also suffer from large tears or ruptures. These are more common during extreme physical activities or accidents. The Achilles tendon, located at your heel, is especially prone to injury.
Causes
A tendon injury might be caused by:
- Overuse
- Stepping up your level of physical activity too quickly
- Not stretching enough before exercise
- Wearing high heels, which increases the stress on the tendon
- Muscles or tendons in the leg that are too tight
- Problems with the feet.
An Achilles tendon injury can result from flat feet, also known as fallen arches or overpronation. In this condition, the impact of a step causes the arch of your foot to collapse, stretching the muscles and tendons.
Ankle Joint Injury
An ankle joint injury may be due to the soft tissues of a ligament or tendon stretching beyond their capacity, better known as an ankle sprain or strain.
Bent Toe Disorders (Hammer, Mallet and Claw)
A bent toe disorder is an oddly bent toe joint. Hammer, claw and mallet toes are often painful and commonly occur in one or more of the four smaller toes.
Equinus Contracture
Equinus contracture is a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited, lacking the flexibility to lift the top of the foot.
FlatFoot Deformity
Adult flatfoot is caused by changes in the tendon, impairing its ability to support the arch, thus resulting in the flattening of the foot.
Injuries to the Achilles Tendon
An overly stressed Achilles tendon can be subject to mild or serious injuries. If the injury is mild or moderate, it may be limited to burning or stiffness.
Peroneal Tendon Injury
A peroneal tendon injury most commonly occurs in individuals who participate in sports that involve repetitive ankle motion.
Tendinopathy and Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the resulting inflammation from tendinopathy (or tendinosis), a common overuse injury caused by frequent and long-term excessive compression.
Symptoms
Gap In The Back Of The Ankle
Tendons are long, tough cords of tissue that connect your muscles to bone. When these are dislocated from their proper place, they leave a gap in the ankle.
Pain In The Calf Or Leg
There are a variety of conditions that can affect the calf muscles, as well as the blood vessels and other structures around it, causing calf or leg pain.
Pain When Moving The Foot
If pain from moving the foot remains despite home treatments, it might be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition.
Popping Or Snapping Sensation
Popping or snapping sensation in the ankle or feet may indicate a condition called subluxation or dislocation of the tendons.
Potential Treatments
As debilitating as they can be, the good news is that minor to moderate Achilles tendon injuries should heal on their own. You just need to give them time. If the injury does not heal, reoccurs, or is severe, surgery may be required.
Regenerative Medicine Treatments
Regenerative medicine involves the delivery of growth factors to injured joints and tissues to promote the healing process.
