By Dr. Khaled Dossa, DC
Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that arises when there is microtrauma to the tendon at the back of the lower leg which results in pain and inflammation. The muscles in the calf are under constant load on the squash court and if there is chronic irritation to the tendon an accumulation of scar tissue may develop. If the scar tissue is not treated, you may have chronic pain and potentially causing more wear and tear on the tendon.
Signs and symptoms to look for if you have Achilles tendinopathy:
• Symptoms usually develop insidiously and tend to get progressively worse over time.
• Tenderness is localized at the Achilles tendon and there may be thickening of the tendon.
• Pain can occur when lunging or reaching for the ball
How can you prevent this from occurring?
Be sure to get assessed by a healthcare professional in order to ensure an accurate diagnosis as there are many conditions which may affect the calf and its surrounding structures.
Article by Dr. Khaled Dossa, Chiropractor and ART Provider at Teamworks Health Clinic, a multi-disciplinary clinic in the heart of Vancouver offering Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Dietetics and more. For more information visit www.teamworkshealth.ca or call 604-428-3006