Should you use tape to get back into the sport?
It makes sense to tap the Achilles tendon before or during sport to increase stability. On the one hand, this can prevent further injuries, secondary injuries or even recurrences, i.e. recurrent inflammation, and on the other hand it can take the pressure load off the inflamed Achilles tendon. In spite of this, care should be taken to return to sport slowly and cautiously. The tape is not a guarantee for one hundred percent stability. Similar topics on our site:
- Bandages for Achilles tendonitis
Should a swollen Achilles tendon be taped?
In the case of a swollen Achilles tendon, the inflammation is already relatively advanced. It may be that a tape can no longer do much to speed up the healing process. However, swelling always indicates that fluid is accumulating in a tissue and is either being produced more or is being transported away more poorly.
As already mentioned, taping can promote blood circulation. Increased blood flow can also have both effects. On the one hand, more fluid can reach the affected area through more filled vessels, but on the other hand the vessels can also absorb the fluid there more quickly and thus remove it.
However, this balance depends on many other factors. Here it is important to note that the tape is applied in such a way that it promotes lymph drainage (i.e. the drainage of free fluid). There are special ways of applying the tape. It is therefore advisable to have the correct application of the tape professionally demonstrated.
What do you have to consider when taping a torn tendon?
The rupture of the Achilles tendon usually occurs with rare but then intense movement. This injury often affects patients of the male sex between the ages of 30 and 50 years. The rupture can usually be heard clearly and is followed by a sharp sudden pain.
Here too, a tape can be useful to increase stability and relieve the tendon so that the two ends can come closer together. However, in the case of a rupture of the Achilles tendon, in most cases, taping alone is not sufficient. A visit to a doctor is also absolutely necessary. Because only relatively rarely can the rupture be treated conservatively, usually it must be treated surgically. In this case, the tape can only be applied additionally after the operation to provide more stability.
Costs of the Taping
The one-time application of a tape bandage in the case of Achilles tendonitis is usually a cost-effective procedure. The material used is available in pharmacies or online shops at relatively low prices. However, it should be noted that the costs for treatment with tapes can increase considerably if the bandage has to be worn for a longer period of time.
The materials cannot be reused as with treatment with orthoses. If the dressing is renewed, the old tapes must be discarded and new ones applied. The same applies to any additionally applied padding materials.
If residues of the adhesive on the skin have to be removed repeatedly, it may be necessary to purchase an additional skin-compatible solvent. The costs for taping in the case of Achilles tendonitis are therefore calculated on the basis of the duration of application and the amount of materials used.
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