Pull the tape down to your calf by using a slight stretching motion. If you have a little trouble visualizing that, check out this video on how to tape your injured Achilles with athletic tape here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fQZj1SZkOM&t=221s. There are many ways you can speed up the recovery time from this injury and get back to doing the activities you used to enjoy before suffering from pain. Bass E.Tendinopathy: Why the Difference Between Tendinitis and Tendinosis Matters. The unused section of the tape will be directed towards the muscles on your calf. Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.hss.edu/conditions_chronic-achilles-tendon-problems-overview.asp, http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/ankle-pain/achilles-pain/achilles-tendon-taping, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fQZj1SZkOM, https://www.healthline.com/health/sports-injuries/treatment#day-one, https://patienteducation.osumc.edu/Documents/foot-wrap-raise.pdf, https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/sports-wrap/ice-or-heat, https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ext/Dcmnt?ncid=521456271, http://health.usf.edu/medicine/orthopaedic/patientcare/~/media/69B0D576FD664FCC9D7099DBECBAC9D3.ashx. Rocktape - Achilles tendon wrap - YouTube Instructional video for using Rocktape kinesiology tape for achilles tendon and calf muscles using wrap method. Begin by wrapping the area just below your knee with an ace wrap. Call your doctor if your pain persists despite NSAID use. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In some cases, your doctor or physical therapist may also advise some type of insert of orthotic. If swelling does not reduce, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Try massaging your calves to help break up any scar tissue that might have formed on your Achilles tendon. information submitted for this request. Do this frequently throughout the day. Physical therapy is also an option for treating Achilles tendonitis. If an over-the-counter medication is not controlling the pain satisfactorily, talk to your doctor. You want the bandage to be medium tight. Step 1: Step 1: Initial Treatment of a Sprained Ankle After injury, apply cold pack to ankle for 24-48 hours to help with pain and will reduce swelling. You may actually have a torn or ruptured Achilles tendon, which is a far more serious diagnosis. Before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions: Be prepared to answer the following questions regarding your symptoms and factors that may be contributing to your condition: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. The K-tape has really taken off in recent years, and numerous athletes have utilized it. There are several things that can increase your risk of developing Achilles tendonitis, which include: Achilles tendonitis is often caused by repetitive stress on the tendon, such as from overuse during sports or exercise. Do such wraps work? 1 May 2020. If your Achilles tendon is sore or injured, you can wrap it while it heals. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Raise the affected foot above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. Click here for an email preview. Keep hydrated to reduce the risk of poor tissue health and painful Charley horses. Always start with bilateral heel drops, and consult your physical therapist before attempting single heel drops since they can potentially cause further damage to the tendon. Its important to wrap the injury correctly, as this will help reduce pain and speed up how quickly your body heals. $5.97. You should be able to slide a finger under the wrap. Compression. In the case of athletic tape, it creates a foundation that reduces movement, allowing the tendons and tissues adequate time to recover and heal. If over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen (Aleve) aren't enough, your doctor might prescribe stronger medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. You can do them seated or standing and even while you're watching TV at home. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Helps sprained, Provides pain relief for Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, swollen joints, and more. If several months of more-conservative treatments don't work or if the tendon has torn, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair your Achilles tendon. Remain patient. If you have Achilles tendonitis, you may be wondering if you can still run. Fast, Easy Ways to Heal an Achilles Tendon, An Achilles tendon injury is formally known as Achilles tendonitis, and it is a condition where the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and painful. To treat Achilles tendonitis, use RICE. After I completely healed from minor Achilles inflammation, I hope I can resume my treadmill exercises. Applying a cold compress to the injury helps reduce blood flow, which can help relieve the pain. Wrap tightly, but not so tight as to cut off circulation. An Achilles tendon injury is formally known as Achilles tendonitis, and it is a condition where the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and painful. Reduced flexibility will make your tendon more susceptible to another injury. Start by wrapping a strip of tape just below the widest part of your calf and another just before your toes. Leave it off for at least an hour before reapplying it. Free shipping. The increased circulation also helps with the faster removal of waste products like lactic acid, which is often responsible for causing that painful, burning sensation in your muscles after a tough workout. 1. Both are signs of a ruptured tendon rather than simply tendonitis. If your doctor writes you a prescription for a stronger pain reliever, ensure that you always take it as directed. UpdatedApril 8, 2019. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to reduce inflammation in your Achilles tendon, read on. DeLee JC, et al. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. The taping technique is similar for both. Ankle Brace Achilles Tendon Support Wrap Sleeve Adjustable Tendinitis Sport Foot. It's important to make sure that these wraps do not restrict blood flow. You should be able to breathe and relax with very little pain involved, Stretching before and after exercise will reduce risk of injury, If youre having trouble with some pain during stretching, warm up your muscles with heat or amassagebefore attempting. Cut strips of athletic tape and apply them horizontally across your achilles tendon. Achilles tendonitis is a condition that results when the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, becomes inflamed. Therapeutic effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for soft tissue injury: mechanisms and practical application. Consult your doctor before taking an OTC medicine for your injury for longer than one month. You can care for most cases of Achilles tendinitis at home, but you should still see a doctor regarding the exact steps that are right for your injury. Rest: try to avoid moving the tendon for 2 to 3 days. Secure the area of the wide tape by adding more anchor pieces across your foot and ankle. Have you recently made changes to your exercise routine, or have you recently started participating in a new sport? Approved. X Bend your front leg into a lunge until you feel the calf in your back leg stretching. Start at the foot. This additional compression will help reduce swelling. Dr. Tambar holds a BA in Economics from State University of New York at Buffalo. Calf muscles like extra heat and compression. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Thanks. Read the package and use as directed. The Achilles tendon is used when walking, so this injury can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. While resting your Achilles tendon, switch to low-impact exercise options such as biking, elliptical exercises, and swimming. Ankle Support Brace Foot Brace for Injured Foot Brace for Achilles Tendonitis Ankle Braces for Men. According to the Mayo Clinic, serious side effects of use include stomach bleeding, ulcers and stomach pain. Pol J Radiol. Rest It is important to rest the Achilles tendon when you first start to feel pain. % of people told us that this article helped them. Avoid using NSAIDs for longer than ten days. For an easy way to stretch and ice at the same time, freeze water in a plastic bottle. Sudden, forceful movements such as those in sports may stress the Achilles tendon and make it stretch too far, causing a partial tear or rupture. He's an avid hiker, backpacker, and climber who loves to stay fit so he can make sure he's healthy enough to enjoy his favorite hobbies. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Should you wrap Achilles tendonitis? Are symptoms worse at certain times of day or after certain activities? These devices go into a shoe to increase support on a specific area of the foot. He also spends time writing about his true passions in life. X Ann Afr Med. Place two strips of tape parallel to your tendon on each side of the tendon. Maughan KL, Boggess BR. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Wrap-an-Achilles-Tendon-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Wrap-an-Achilles-Tendon-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Wrap-an-Achilles-Tendon-Step-1.jpg\/aid10168316-v4-728px-Wrap-an-Achilles-Tendon-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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