ACHILLES TENDONOPATHY
- Over time becomes a chronic degenerative condition and adhesions occur. Hypovascular 2-6cm above insertion.
- Easily treated if caught early, made more difficult by calf contracture, calcification or necrosis.
- Weight gain, over weight, pregnancy, aging, leg length discrepency, inappropriate shoes (high heels, changes in heel height, worn out shoes.
- Direct trauma as the cause is rare.
- Increased pain in the morning and/or beginning of activity.
- May lead to achilles tendon rupture, espescially with a history of steroid injections.
- Chronic thickening my lead to surgery for debridement of necrotic or calcified tissue, adhesion release followed by immobilization.
