KT Tape: Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon, the thick band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. This condition commonly affects athletes and individuals engaged in activities that involve repetitive stress or overuse of the calf muscles, such as running, jumping, and sports that require sudden movements.

Common Causes of Achilles Tendonitis

1. Overuse: Engaging in excessive physical activity or suddenly increasing the intensity of exercise can strain the Achilles tendon, leading to inflammation.

2. Tight Calf Muscles: Tight calf muscles can put extra pressure on the Achilles tendon during movement, making it more prone to injury.

3. Improper Footwear: Wearing footwear that lacks proper support or does not fit well can contribute to Achilles tendonitis.

Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis

1. Pain: Most commonly felt as a dull or sharp pain at the back of the heel, which may worsen during physical activity.

2. Swelling: The affected area may become swollen and tender to touch.

3. Stiffness: The Achilles tendon and calf muscles may feel stiff and uncomfortable, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

4. Limited Range of Motion: The ability to flex the foot may be reduced due to pain and stiffness.

Conservative Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis

1. Rest: Reducing or avoiding activities that worsen the pain to give the tendon time to heal.

2. Ice: Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

3. Compression: Using bandages or wraps to provide support and control swelling.

4. Elevation: Elevating the foot can also help reduce swelling.

5. Physical Therapy: Specific stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve flexibility and prevent future occurrences.

6. Orthotic Devices: Customized shoe inserts or heel lifts may be recommended to provide support and reduce strain on the Achilles tendon.

7. Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain medications can be used to manage discomfort.

In severe or persistent cases, a doctor may consider more advanced treatment options, such as corticosteroid injections or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Surgery is typically reserved for cases that do not respond to conservative treatments.

KT Tape for Achilles Tendonitis Video Transcription

The achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel. Some causes may be due to overuse, which may cause inflammation in the tendon or muscle, or trauma causing strain or tearing in the tendon or muscle. KT Tape helps treat this condition by increasing circulation and support.

For this application, we need to have the ankle in full dorsiflexion, or whatever is available in a relatively pain free position, which is pulling the toes towards the shin. Okay, and for this application, we're going to take one full piece, tearing the paper backing to create an anchor point. We're going to apply that anchor point just ahead of the heel on the arch of the foot, and then peeling that paper back, we're going to pull about fifty percent of tension. So if you pull the tape all the way out, that's one hundred percent, and then backing that off halfway is fifty percent. What we're going to do is go around the heel and up the achilles tendon, and we're going to stick the end of that tape, the anchor, with absolutely zero stretch. Go ahead and rub the remaining portion of the tape down against the skin, just to get some good adhesion through there.

Okay, and for our second piece, we'll take another long strip, but this one we're going to cut in half. So were going to fold that, and cut rounded corners around that fold. What this does is help prevent any catching of sharp corners on clothing taking socks on and off. We're going to twist and tear the paper backing to create a middle section of the tape, leaving some anchors to hang on to with the paper. We're applying nice even pressure with the thumbs.

Okay, what we're going to do is to place this over the point of pain, In this case, this may be where the achilles inserts on the heel, laying that down with about eighty percent stretch, And then just taking that paper backing off and just laying the anchors of the tape down with absolutely zero stretch. And while we're doing this, we're going to make sure that ankle stays in full available dorsiflexion, again, pulling those toes up towards the shin. In some cases, the pain may be up higher on the tendon, in that case you can use another piece, just like with the first half piece, tearing the paper backing and stretching that out to eighty percent with nice even pressure with the thumbs, and applying that over another possible area of pain, possibly higher up in the tendon. So laying that down with eighty percent stretch, and you're going to peel that paper backing off and just lay those ends down with absolutely zero stretch.

Summary

• The achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel.
• Achilles tendonitis can be caused by overuse, trauma, inflammation, strain, or tearing in the tendon or muscle.
• KT Tape can help treat achilles tendonitis by increasing circulation and providing support.
• To apply KT Tape for achilles tendonitis, start with the ankle in a pain-free dorsiflexion position.
• Tips for application include trimming hair, cleaning the skin, wearing a sock to sleep, and seeking medical care for excessive pain, persistent symptoms, or swelling. Complementary treatments may include ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications.