Thanks. 2017;13(1):12-22. doi:10.12965/jer.1732824.412, Park YH, Jeong SM, Choi GW, Kim HJ. To treat Achilles tendonitis, use RICE. "A lot of help. Below are the steps you can take to tape and protect the Achilles tendon with athletic tape: If you have a little trouble visualizing that, check out this video on how to tape your injured Achilles with athletic tape here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fQZj1SZkOM&t=221s, You can watch this video to see how to do it here: youtube.com/watch?v=T5NUbNkB_oA&t=11s. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can decrease any swelling over your Achilles tendon. Wrap two pieces of athletic tape as an anchor over the upper part of the ankle and ball of the foot. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This content does not have an English version. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Then slightly bend your back leg until you feel the stretch in your Achilles tendon. Orthotic devices more commonly help insertional Achilles tendonitis (lower in the leg where the tendon inserts into the heel) because the area is more likely to be irritated by certain footwear. J Exerc Rehabil. To treat Achilles tendonitis, use RICE. When your tendon has healed and you are ready to resume normal activity, start slow. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to reduce inflammation in your Achilles tendon, read on. In the case of athletic tape, it creates a foundation that reduces movement, allowing the tendons and tissues adequate time to recover and heal. (2018). Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? The tape should make figure-eights, alternating loops between your calf and foot. Use a gauze bandage if you are also covering wounds from an injury. 1. Place three or four strips of tape perpendicular to your tendon starting at the top of your heel and ending about one-third of the way up your calf. Achilles tendinopathy and tendon rupture. Avoid any strenuous activity such as running or excessive walking while your Achilles tendon heals. Achilles tendonitis can be a debilitating injury, but there are things you can do in addition to RICE. When you feel pain in this area, it is usually because one or both of these tendons are inflamed or torn (ruptured). Keep going with a couple of sections of the wide athletic tape, making an X pattern. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If you have Achilles tendonitis, it is important to see a doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic, serious side effects of use include stomach bleeding, ulcers and stomach pain. Achilles tendinopathy and tendon rupture. These videos brought courtesy of Vive Health contain provides stretches you can try in conjunction with taping techniques for a comprehensive Achilles recovery plan: Sign up now for 15% off your first order! Compression wraps help support the Achilles tendon and reduce stress on the tissue. Pull the tape down to your calf by using a slight stretching motion. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. This will prevent pain when you remove the tape. Compression wraps also help improve blood flow to the affected area. Picture Information. Calf muscles like extra heat and compression. What types of shoes do you wear during exercise? For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to reduce inflammation in your Achilles tendon, read on. Research source. When applying compression to an injured Achilles tendon it's a good idea to start wrapping above the injured area. This article received 14 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen (Aleve) aren't enough, your doctor might prescribe stronger medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.hss.edu/conditions_chronic-achilles-tendon-problems-overview.asp, http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/ankle-pain/achilles-pain/achilles-tendon-taping, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fQZj1SZkOM, https://www.healthline.com/health/sports-injuries/treatment#day-one, https://patienteducation.osumc.edu/Documents/foot-wrap-raise.pdf, https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/sports-wrap/ice-or-heat, https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ext/Dcmnt?ncid=521456271, http://health.usf.edu/medicine/orthopaedic/patientcare/~/media/69B0D576FD664FCC9D7099DBECBAC9D3.ashx. [1] Are symptoms worse at certain times of day or after certain activities? For example, swim instead of run. Step 1: Step 1: Initial Treatment of a Sprained Ankle After injury, apply cold pack to ankle for 24-48 hours to help with pain and will reduce swelling. Board Certified Podiatrist. Dr. Cunha is a foot and ankle surgeon with experience treating a wide array of foot and ankle conditions from minor problems to complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Even when used as directed, most over-the-counter pain relievers are not meant for daily use. Brian Richards is an attorney whose work has appeared in law and philosophy journals and online in legal blogs and article repositories. Place two strips of tape parallel to your tendon on each side of the tendon. There are many ways you can speed up the recovery time from this injury and get back to doing the activities you used to enjoy before suffering from pain. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Check with your sports physician if you think your calf strain may need more serious treatment and/or therapy. Dr. Cunha is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the New York Podiatric Medical Association, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and is board certified in Podiatric Medicine. Stick 2-3 strips of tape up the back of your calf to connect the 2 strips. Kinesiology tape, on the other hand, works a little differently. Begin by wrapping the area just below your knee with an ace wrap. Go to your pharmacy to obtain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. It also may be a Haglund's deformity that comes from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Remain patient. Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? It is important to how to properly wrap the injury so as to speed up the healing process and reduce pain. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. You may additionally experience tenderness or stiffness in the area, which is most commonly felt first thing in the morning. There are a few things one can do to help ease the pain. Finally, cover the strips by your toes and upper ankle with more tape to secure them. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of The strength and flexibility in your tendon may have diminished during your injury. The pain can be so severe that the athlete may need to stop participating in their sport for months or even years if they don't get treatment. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Fix-Achilles-Tendonitis-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Fix-Achilles-Tendonitis-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Fix-Achilles-Tendonitis-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1336292-v4-728px-Fix-Achilles-Tendonitis-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"