Duration of achilles tendonitis

introduction

The Achilles tendon represents the insertion of the calf muscles on the heel bone. It can be exposed to great stress in various sports and is therefore often the source of sports injuries and chronic diseases.

Achilles tendonitis is usually a problem for runners or people who start exercising intensively after doing a previously unaccustomed leg exercise.

Excessive long-term stress, which includes both uniform movement, as in long-distance running, as well as brief stress, such as in various ball sports, can lead to degeneration of the Achilles tendon.

Rapid increase in training intensity, insufficient regeneration phases, improperly performed exercises and wearing the wrong footwear encourage the occurrence of the smallest injuries to the Achilles tendon, which reacts with a chronic inflammatory process. Orthopedic problems such as misaligned feet, different leg lengths and injuries to the heel also promote the occurrence of Achilles tendonitis.

How long does Achilles tendonitis last?

The time it takes to fully recover a Achilles tendonitis is depending on the severity of the disease, the physical condition of the patient, the therapy used and the consistent adherence to rest.

In general, if the disease persists, a long-ignored Achilles tendonitis with continued training leads to a more persistent and difficult-to-treat clinical picture. The worse the physical constitution of the patient, the later the therapeutic measures take effect and the longer the duration of the treatment.

Within the first day or two becomes the acutely inflamed Achilles tendon chilled with ice. A self-treatment for Achilles tendonitis with conservative methods (Protection, cooling if necessary, NSAIDs) should initially be carried out for two weeks. If the symptoms do not improve after this time, it is advisable to consult an orthopedic surgeon.

To six to eight weeks the affected Achilles tendon is resilient again. However, it is important to ensure that No continuation of the training during the duration of the therapy and the affected extremity is relieved.

Failure to comply with the restraint can lead to renewed Worsening of the symptoms lead and significantly extend the duration of the disease. In individual cases it can take months for an Achilles tendonitis to heal. To avoid this, running training should, for example, be interrupted until it is completely free of pain, even if this delays the achievement of personal training goals.

At a Symptoms of more than six months are referred to as chronic. In up to 25% of cases, those affected have long-lasting or frequently recurring problems over time.
Individual studies even show that 10% of patients with Achilles tendonitis have to undergo surgery within eight years of the onset of the disease. Surgical measures can never achieve permanent restoration of the full function of the Achilles tendon.

In summary, it can be said that the duration of the Achilles tendonitis, which is experienced by the person affected as uncomfortable and sometimes very restrictive, is adequate cooling and Protection in the acute phase, take a generous break from training and optimal medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the period of about one and a half months limit and reduce the likelihood of persistent complaints and chronic courses.

Appointment with an expert in Achilles tendonitis?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
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Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by the Achilles tendonitis disease. In many cases, the cause of the Achilles tendonitis cannot be identified at first. Therefore, the treatment requires a lot of experience. I focus on Achilles tendonitis.

The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

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Duration until the entire disease has healed

In the case of acute Achilles tendonitis, the total healing process can be assumed to take about a month. After that, the inflammation has healed and the tendon is usually strengthened again through slow build-up training so that it can be stressed without any problems. Chronic Achilles tendonitis, on the other hand, takes a particularly long time. Depending on how well different therapies work, you should expect a course of several months to a year. The healing time is especially extended when an operation on the Achilles tendon is necessary.

How long does the entire healing take?

How long it takes for an Achilles tendonitis to heal depends on whether the inflammation is acute or chronic.
The acute Achilles tendonitis is usually completely healed after a few weeks to a maximum of 2 months.
Chronic Achilles tendonitis, on the other hand, is characterized by a protracted course. This usually takes several months and can still cause problems afterwards, so that some even have to reckon with a duration of several months to years.

Duration of the thickening of the Achilles tendon

The thickening of the Achilles tendon typically only comes about as a result of chronic Achilles tendonitis. The tendon thickens when it is irritated over a long period of time. The thickening itself can be long-lasting and can often only be treated with persistent therapy. Therefore, if the Achilles tendon has already thickened, the healing process should take several months. Above all, it is important to consistently reduce stress. Only in this way does the body get the stimulus it needs to break down the thickening of the tendon.

When does Achilles tendonitis become chronic?

The term “chronic” describes a long-lasting course of an illness. To distinguish it from acute Achilles tendonitis, the limit to chronic inflammation is set at around 4 weeks. If the symptoms do not clearly improve within this first month so that a good load capacity can be achieved, chronic Achilles tendonitis can be assumed. Chronic inflammation of the Achilles tendon can always involve acute phases. For example, for years someone may have a tendency to get a month-long Achilles tendonitis after physical activity.

Duration until the start-up pain is gone

The start-up pain comes about after an Achilles tendonitis because the tendon is still somewhat weakened. Therefore, in contrast to a healthy Achilles tendon, it requires a longer warm-up phase. When the inflammation has been overcome to such an extent that the sport can be practiced without any symptoms, the Achilles tendon must first be trained again. Only when the muscles and the tendons have sufficiently accustomed themselves to the strain does the start-up pain completely disappear. After an acute Achilles tendonitis has healed, it can take an additional 2 to 3 weeks for the start-up pain to go away.

Duration until you can go back to exercise and jog after an Achilles tendonitis

After an Achilles tendonitis, you should return to the sport very slowly and carefully, otherwise there is a high risk of provoking a renewed inflammation. The entry into sport should ideally take place in consultation with the responsible doctors and physiotherapists, since it can be started individually at very different times.
In the case of acute Achilles tendonitis, sport can usually be restarted after 2 to 3 weeks, but exercise should initially be cautious. Chronic Achilles tendon disorders often only arise when the athlete is restarted too early. You should therefore take a particularly long break from sports (several months).

Duration of a sick leave for an Achilles tendonitis

How long one is on sick leave with Achilles tendonitis depends to a large extent on the occupation of the person concerned. Anyone who has a job that involves physical exertion should take a break of at least 2 to 3 weeks. Acute inflammation should have subsided within this period. However, a careful approach to the load is necessary. On the other hand, those who spend their day-to-day work mainly sitting at their desk can go back to work after a few days.

therapy

The person concerned should refrain from further training units and cool the painful extremity regularly. Compression bandages and elevation of the leg can also be used. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and diclofenac are suitable for combating inflammation and pain. In more severe cases and the course of the disease, which cannot be positively influenced by NSAIDs, cortisone can be administered. As with many drugs, however, this is not suitable for long-term use, as long-term use can cause side effects. This should also be taken into account for NSAIDs with fewer side effects.

Herbal ingredients such as arnica or tea tree oil can also be used for external rubs.

Physiotherapeutic exercises, ultrasound therapy and kinesio taping are also used.

In addition, bandages are recommended for Achilles tendonitis, which above all ensure stability in the foot. A distinction is made between bandages with different focuses, which should be weighed individually and lead to a relief of the Achilles tendon.

For further information, we recommend our website: Bandage for achilles tendonitis

Symptoms

The affected person feels pain in the Achilles tendon area in different situations. Particularly morning pain and pain at the beginning of the running activity and after long breaks from sitting should suggest that the Achilles tendon is overloaded. Pain in the Achilles tendon is known in medicine as achillodynia.

Since Achilles tendonitis is not behind every achillodynia, the findings should be clarified by a doctor, as taking anti-inflammatory drugs would not make sense in the case of non-inflammatory achillodynia.

If pain in the Achilles tendon is ignored over the long term, the chronically overstrained structure reacts with inflammation. Morning stiffness and thickening of the tendon as well as redness and painful swelling of the heel can also occur. Furthermore, the attachment of the Achilles tendon can become calcified at its attachment.

Read more on the subject below: Diagnosis of Achilles tendonitis

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