Heel Pain After Frequently Hiking Achilles Peritendinitis
Cause:
Since the SARS epidemic, many people have begun to pay attention to their health and gradually develop the habit of exercising. This is a good thing, but some people suffer from heel pain and Achilles Peritendinitis because of frequent running and hiking.
Achilles Peritendinitis is mostly caused by trauma, or strenuous running, jumping, etc., causing the Achilles tendon tissue (including fat, aponeurosis, and subtendinous sac) to be strongly pulled, causing the inflammation of the bursae on the front and back of the Achilles tendon due to pressured and fricition. Inflammation may also be caused by standing, working or walking for a long time, and the heel may be inflamed due to pressure and strain, and symptoms such as pain and swelling may appear.
Clinical manifestations:
Patients have done strenuous exercise, have a history of trauma or strain, or walked or stood for a long time, causing heel pain and swelling. Usually, the pain worsens after exercise, and there will be obvious tenderness when palpating the heel leg nodules. After exercise, the calf muscles will become very solid and stiff, resulting in insufficient elasticity and softness. Since the Achilles tendon is attached to the periosteum of the heel, it is easy to make the heel protruding into a block under long-term traction and friction and form inflammation. Patients should do more stretching exercises or regular swimming to help relaxing the calf muscles. Soaking in hot water can also accelerate blood circulation and relieve the stiffness of the calf.
If the stiffness of the calf cannot be relieved, chronic inflammation is likely to form. It will become inflamed every time after exercises and make the affected area more swollen and painful. If professional athletes suffer from this disease, surgery may be required. The famous Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang also suffered from this disease.
Treatment method:
The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on acupoint is the best, then external application of anti-swelling patches with internal use of Chinese medicines such as taking Huoxue Huayu Zhitong Pill (活血化瘀止痛丸) and Jianpi Shugan Pill (健脾舒肝丸).
Warm reminder:
Shall frequently warm compresses, rests, stretches, and swims. Quit eating shrimp, crab, alcohol, and spicy food. Secure the affected area with a brace.
Source: The Complete Book of Pain Syndrome by Cheung Yung
