Achilles tendon relating to the Ankle

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I’m starting off with ‘A’ today and straight away I’m thinking ‘ankle or Achilles tendon’? So I’ve decided the two are strongly connected (pun alert!) and I’ll write about both together.

The Achilles tendon is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus). We could not walk, run or jump while standing on our toes without this tendon. No surprise then it’s the strongest in the body.

The ankle joint is a hinged synovial joint which allows motion in several directions. We will look here at the primary up-and-down movement of the foot. 

I will focus on how this movement relates to the Achilles tendon, how vital it is for normal movement, and how it is related to so many foot problems.

Did you know?

·         The feet must sustain up to 20 times a person’s body weight during certain sports activities.

·         Approximately 25 percent of all sports-related injuries involve either the foot or ankle.

Your feet are a complex system of 52 bones, 66 joints, 214 ligaments, and 38 tendons with their attached muscles. 

The foot contains 25% of all the bones in the body. 

Little wonder then, that things can go wrong since there is much to injure.

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Athlete’s feet are under a lot of stress so you want to keep them in good shape to enhance your performance.  From training to competing, people who actively participate in athletic activity are constantly putting themselves at risk for injury. As a podiatrist and Sports Therapist I aim to treat sports foot and ankle injuries as quickly and efficiently as possible, maintaining and enhancing performance or helping athletes to recover and return to their usual activities in as little time as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the most common foot injuries found in athletes?

Athletes can injure any part of their feet though certain types of injuries are more prevalent than others. Examples include:

Plantar fasciitis

Achilles tendonitis

Sprains/Strains

Dislocations and fractures

Overuse injuries

How do I know if I have a foot injury?

Some sports-related foot injuries are obvious and occur suddenly. Others may develop gradually over time, progressively affecting your ability to train or compete comfortable and effectively. Signs of a sports-related foot injury include pain and swelling, as well as problems with mobility. If you notice any of these symptoms or have difficulty applying pressure to your foot or ankle, contact our office for an examination.

What types of treatments are available to sports foot injuries?

Sports foot injury treatment depends on how the injury is affecting the bones, joints and soft tissue. The treatments are non-invasive, and examples include :

·         Stretching

·         Strengthening

·         Stabilising

·         Mobilisations/ manipulations.

·         Acupuncture

·         Massage therapy

·         Biomechanical assessment/ Orthotics

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If you want to see find out more contact me on shamusmcnally@eircom.net