Treatment for Achilles tendon pain
If pain occurs in the Achilles tendon, patients can initially relieve the symptoms with home remedies. Since the pain is caused by inflammation, cooling and anti-inflammatory ointments can help. Sports activities that strain the Achilles tendon and are painful, such as jogging, should be avoided.
Anti-inflammatory medication can also bring relief, but should be taken under medical supervision. For Achilles tendon pain, extracorporeal shock wave therapy can also bring healing success. Cortisone injections should be used cautiously for Achilles tendon pain, as they can damage the tendon and are also associated with a risk of infection.
It should also be clarified whether concomitant diseases such as a rheumatic disease are present that trigger the pain. Often there is pain in the Achilles tendon, since a foot malposition like overpronation is present. Here the foot bends too much inwards when rolling, which increases the load on the Achilles tendon.
If such a malposition is present, insoles can often provide relief. In severe cases, an operation in which destroyed tendon tissue is removed may be necessary. Voltaren preparations contain the active ingredient diclofenac.
They can be used as tablets or locally as an ointment for pain in the Achilles tendon. The active ingredient diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory pain medication, similar to ibuprofen. The effect unfolds locally by inhibiting an enzyme, cyclooxygenase, which triggers and maintains an inflammatory reaction and associated pain.
Application with tablets brings a higher concentration of the active substance into the tissue, so that a better effect can be achieved. However, the side effects are also more pronounced. In Voltaren, this is often inflammation of the stomach lining, which leads to stomach pain and can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.
A therapy with the ointment has fewer side effects, but care must be taken to avoid local skin reactions or allergies. Taping can provide relief for pain in the Achilles tendon. Stabilizing taping bandages made of firm tape can relieve the Achilles tendon and thus lead to a reduction in pain.
Tapes like Leukotape can be used for such bandages. They should be applied by qualified personnel, physiotherapists or doctors. Taping with Kinesiotape has a less stabilizing effect.
Kinesiotape is supposed to improve lymph drainage by stimulating the tissue and stimulating healing. Kinesiotaping can be helpful for pain in the Achilles tendon, but there is no scientific evidence of its effect. There are numerous ointments for local application for Achilles tendon pain.
Ointments with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac can reduce inflammation by local action. The problem with all ointments compared to medication with tablets is that a large proportion of the active ingredient does not reach the site of inflammation, but is already absorbed by the skin when absorbed. In addition to chemical active ingredients, there are also numerous plant-based ointments that can reduce pain and inflammation.
They often also have a warming or cooling component that provides relief. Examples of these are arnica or horse ointment, tea tree oil and tiger balm. Household remedies can be helpful for pain in the Achilles tendon and reduce the pain. Especially in the case of acute inflammations, the application of cold, quark compresses or cooling ointments is perceived as pleasant. For chronic pain, the use of heat can improve the blood circulation of the tendon sheaths and thus reduce pain during movement.
