Achilles Tendinosis

The term tendinosis refers to the non-inflammatory, degeneration of the collagen fibers in a tendon. This tissue break down is caused by the failure for the fibers to heal fast enough or correctly. In fact, the rate of tissue damage exceeds the healing process and eventually the accumulation of damage makes it impossible for the tissue to heal properly. The collagen fibers deteriorate to a point where the once straight, strong, flexible bundle is weakened by abnormally formed fibers that look more like a mess of strands made up of abnormal collagen fibres.

Tendinosis usually results from over use of the tendon. When a tendon is strained from frequent use, which can happen with repetitive movements during a work task or using the same muscles to perform at a sport, the tendon does not have enough time to heal. With appropriate breaks from these activities, the tendon would have enough time to heal before further strain occurs. With frequent straining, the healing cycle of the tendon falls behind the cycle of re-injury. Over time, the collagen fibres of the tendon begin to degenerate and weaken causing tendinosis.

Tendinosis can also occur following an acute injury to the Achilles tendon, however, it does not appear until long after the injury occurs. If an acute injury is not given enouch rest to heal, re-injury may continue to occur faster than the tendon can heal. This will eventually lead to degeneration of the collagen fibres as well.

Since there is no inflammation with tendinosis you will not experience swelling, heat or redness. However, you will experience pain, tenderness and stiffness at the back of the ankle where the tissue degeneration has occurred.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Achilles tendinosis are not obvious as there is no inflammation, rather just degeneration of the tissue. Therefore, you will not experience redness or maybe even tenderness in the area. You may notice:

• Tightness which causes difficulty moving and flexing your ankle.
• Pain, especially after resting the Achilles tendon as it tightens and stiffens up due to the scar tissue.
• An obvious knot (nodule) of tissue on the back of the heal.
• Slight swelling.
• The tendon is jellylike which makes the tendon soft and weak and unable to function as required.

Internally, a tendon that has degenerated to the point of tendinosis looks soft, dull and slightly brown instead of a healthy firm, shiny white appearance of a normal tendon.

Tendinosis Treatments - What You Can Do!

The trick to treating tendinosis is promoting the regeneration and realignment of type I collagen tissue to replace the abnormal collagen tissue that has formed over time. In addition, it is essential to soften the scar tissue that has built up to reduce the tightness and improve the elasticity of your Achilles tendon.

Therapeutic ultrasound is an incredibly effective and painless method that promotes the growth of normal collagen tissue in the tendon while minimizing the creation of scar tissue and softening scar tissue that has already developed. Without therapeutic ultrasound the abnormal collagen fibres will continue to form as damage occurs leaving your tendon soft, weak and at risk of a complete rupture.

Although resting your Achilles tendon is an important part of the healing process, resting a tendon inflicted with tendinosis too much can result in the entire area becoming weak and vulnerable to significantly reducing the range of motion or increasing the chance of re-injury. Therefore, it is recommended that you continue to use the Achilles tendon gently to prevent the ankle from becoming deconditioned and atrophy setting in. Gradual physical therapy exercises are recommended along with ultrasound and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy.

Due to scar tissue build up on the tendon and the amount of abnormally formed collagen, it can takes months to soften the scar tissue and improve the tissue of the tendon. With therapeutic ultrasound and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST^®) you can treat scar tissue and promote blood flow to heal your tendon faster and more completely than any other methods available.

Ultrasound Therapy

Treating tendinosis with therapeutic ultrasound will assist in the realignment of the collagen fibres in your Achilles tendon. Therapeutic ultrasound promotes the formation of type 1 collagen, the collagen that exists in healthy tendon fibres. It is important to regenerate the Achilles tendon fibres and get them back to normal in order to beat tendinosis once and for all and improve the strength of your Achilles tendon.

During the healing process, scar tissue builds on the tendon and can attach the inner layers of the tendon to the surrounding paratenon that it glides through, limiting the flexibility and movement of the tendon.

Fortunately, you can treat your Achilles tendon with therapeutic ultrasound to soften scar tissue and improve the gliding motion and flexibility of your tendon.

Not only does ultrasound aid in the duration of healing, but it helps to prevent long term complications. Pain, lack of mobility, or a complete tendon rupture are some of the more common long term complications. By treating your tendon with ultrasound, scar tissue becomes softer and the tissue becomes stronger reducing the risk of chronic problems in the future.

If you are suffering from long term complications of existing Achilles tendon injuries, ultrasound can help. Ultrasound therapy softens scar and fibrous tissue that has built up over time on the tendon and restores flexibility in your ankle.

Ultrasound can also be used to administer therapeutic medicines into the body through a process known as phonophoresis. Ultrasound with phonophoresis is rapidly becoming more popular than ultrasound therapy alone.

Using MendMeShop^® Lavender Infusion Ultrasound Gel during your therapy gives you 2 therapies in 1. You get the benefit of the regenerating sound waves from the ultrasound device itself AND the added bonus of the therapeutic ingredients inside the gel being delivered into the tissue where it is most effective. MendMeShop^® Lavender Infusion Ultrasound Gel comes with every MendMeShop^® Ultrasound Therapy System and it contains the therapeutic essential oils of natural Bulgarian lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol.

Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy

Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy, or BFST^®, will help to warm and loosen the tissue around your Achilles tendon which will relieve the tight feeling in the tendon.

BFST^® increases the amount of blood that flows naturally to your ankle to nourish your tendons, ligaments and muscles which will improve the health of the Achilles tendon and surrounding tissue.

The Achilles tendon receives a limited blood supply compared to other tendons in the body and this significantly reduces its natural ability to heal itself.

By treating your Achilles tendinosis with Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy you can increase your body's blood supply to the ankle and increase your body's natural healing power. In addition, the fresh blood flow whisks away dead cells and toxins that have built up from the injury leaving the area clean and able to heal faster.

Ankle/Achilles Inferno Wrap^® provides the most effective Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy to give you non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief and healing with no side effects.

During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort in your Achilles tendon until your pain and inflammation settle. With these easy therapies you will notice incredible improvement in your tendon. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!

Learn More About These SUPERIOR Achilles Treatments

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