Achilles tendon pain, previously called achilles tendinitis and now called achilles tendinopathy, is a common condition in both sedentary, active, and athletic populations. Researchers estimate this condition will affect between up to 1 in 5 runners in their lifespan with the highest prevalence among all athletes found in ages younger than 45. In our practice...
Tendon injuries are one of the most common sports injuries seen in our Lafayette and Boulder Physical Therapy clinics. Most often overuse in nature, tendon injuries can significantly limit an individual’s ability to perform their daily and recreational activities. Tendinopathy, formerly known as tendinitis, describes the chronic cellular chemical and structural changes that occur...
Our understanding of tendon pain and injuries has changed significantly over the last two decades and has driven changes in Physical Therapy treatment selection. As a profession we have moved away from a rest and immobilization approach and replaced it with an active approach designed to first strengthen the tendon’s muscle and secondly heal or...
Achilles tendinopathy is the most common tendon injuries seen in our Boulder Physical Therapy practice. Patients often present with pain along the mid portion of the achilles tendon during walking, hiking, running, or jumping activities. The greatest risk factors for this condition include a loss of ankle flexibility (dorsiflexion) and calf weakness. Both of these...
In the achilles tendinopathy (artist formally known as tendonitis) research two main themes have emerged. First, there is little to no evidence to support the use of injections of any kind into an injured tendon. Authors have advocated against steroid injections due to the risk of tendon rupture outweighing any potential benefits. Studies have also...
The achilles tendon is a strong, durable structure capable of absorbing and producing large loads as we walk, hike, and run. When the tendon is overloaded without adequate recovery periods this structure is prone to painful and limiting conditions such as achilles tendonitis and tendinopathy. One of the important risk factors for achilles injury among...
The treadmill remains a necessary evil when completing run training allowing athletes to escape inclement weather to complete their workouts. Thankfully, in Boulder we have few inclement days as we move through the Spring and Summer months allowing athletes to train outside. Prior research has noted significant bio-mechanical differences in treadmill vs. ground running including...
Customized foot orthotics based off a clinical examination, plaster or foam cast have been utilized for decades in order to treat overuse injuries of the foot, ankle, knee, hip and even spine. These orthotics are usually not covered by insurance and usually run into the hundreds of dollars compared to an off the shelf model....
One of things I enjoy about the profession of Physical Therapy is its’ constantly changing nature of the medical evidence behind what we do. Often I come across a new article or research report, which challenges my previous line of thought about an injury or treatment and requires me to change. Achilles Tendinopathy is commonly and...