Sports injuries are inevitable

Sep 26 2008

SPORTS club seasons have started and injuries are unfortunately inevitable.

Achilles injuries are the most common and usually occur in racquet sports, track and field and football and rugby.

The Achilles tendon is part of the bottom leg and is made up of two muscle groups, the gastroscemius and the soleus – also known as the calf muscles. As the muscles contract they pull on the Achilles to produce a downward movement of the foot.

Tendon injuries can be acute or chronic.In acute injuries the tendon will be swollen, tender to touch radiate heat.

Symptons in chronic cases include pain, generally occurring at the begininng of activity and returning towards the end. They also include extreme stiffness in the ankle joint the following day.

To reduce onset of such a condition it is advisable to check training techniques, use of correct footwear for conditions and activity, and to control the loadings of exercise programmes to the body.

Top tips for management of condition are:

1. Decrease in frequency, duration and intensity of activity.

2. Modification of activity to maintain fitness.

3. Stretching and strengthening muscle tissues pre and post activity.

4. Use of cryotherapy in acute stages.

5. Check footwear is correct.

The diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy is mainly based on a patient’s history and the taking of a detailed clinical examination by a qualified health professional.

See the Health Professionals Register of Physiotherapists to find a physiotherapist.

lAndy Callachan has run his own injury and exercise clinic in New Road, Ayr for eight years. He is qualified in physiotherapy, health and fitness, sports therapy, Bowen therapy and personal training and is registered with the Health Professionals Council.

He has been a consultant physiotherapist in professional ice hockey and with premier league football clubs including Kilmarnock, Falkirk and Dundee United.

Contact Andy at callachanphysio.co.uk or call: 01292 293009, mobile: 07771 620647.