Should i strap achilles tendon

We will assess each patient to determine if taping is required and if needed, which would suit best. It is important to note that taping is only used to facilitate the rehabilitation process and should not be considered a long term fix. Before we start explaining this, it is important that we differentiate the 2 variations of Achilles Tendinopathy:.

Stage I isometric exercises: There are 2 main types of muscle contraction types- isotonic and isometric. Isotonic muscle contraction is when the 2 muscle ends get either closer together concentric or further apart eccentric. The 2nd type is Isometric exercises which is where the muscle contracts but the 2 muscle ends stay the same distance apart.

The exercise of choice for symptomatic Achilles tendinopathy stage I is Isometric 2 leg calf raises with both hands lightly supported so as to take out the balance component of the exercise. If the patient has an insertional Achilles Tendinopathy, they should only go half to three quarters range of 2 leg calf raise so as not to compress Achilles tendon against the likely Haglunds deformity. The patient will do this 2 leg Isometric calf raise until they can consistently do it well and pain free for the full 45 seconds, sets.

This is when they progress onto 1 leg isometric hold for same timescales, repetitions and height of calf raises as for the 2 leg calf isometric calf raises. Generally, it is recommended that the lower leg is shaved 12 hours prior to taping to prevent painful removal of hairs and skin irritation.

The skin should be cleaned removing any grease or sweat. Low irritant Fixomull tape should be applied as an under-wrap to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation with rigid sports tape over the top of this. Some or all of the following Achilles tendon taping techniques may be applied to tape the Achilles tendon and provide the support required for the individual. This should be applied gently to prevent circulatory problems and is used as a fixation point for the other Achilles taping techniques.

Keeping the foot and ankle in a neutral position i. Begin this taping technique by following the black arrow figure 2 and conclude this taping technique at the level of the forefoot anchor by firmly following the white arrow figure 2. Do 1 or 2 straight lines either centrally or slightly adjacent to each other depending on the size of the Achilles tendon and the amount of support required. Care should be taken when removing the tape to avoid injury aggravation or skin damage.

Blunt nosed tape scissors should be used. The tape should be removed slowly, pulling the tape back on itself with pressure placed on the skin as close as possible to the line of attachment of the tape. Generally tape should be removed within 48 hours of tape application, or sooner, if there is any increase in pain or symptoms including skin irritation or itchiness. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.

You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. Read More To wrap your Achilles tendon, you can use a compression bandage. Start above your ankle and wrap the bandage a few times to keep it in place. Then, work your way down to your toes, keeping mild tension to secure the bandage. When you get to your toes, work your way back up, covering any bits you missed. Secure the bandage with Velcro or a safety pin.

You can also wrap your Achilles tendon using athletic tape. Start by wrapping a strip of tape just below the widest part of your calf and another just before your toes. Stick strips of tape up the back of your calf to connect the 2 strips. Finally, cover the strips by your toes and upper ankle with more tape to secure them.

For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to reduce inflammation in your Achilles tendon, read on. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article.

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Choose between athletic wrapping, compression wrapping, or both.

Since there are several ways to wrap an Achilles tendon, you need to decide between them based on your specific needs. In general, if you only have a minor injury to your Achilles, you are probably fine with just wrapping the Achilles in a compression bandage. If you have Achilles tendonitis or another painful condition, it may be necessary to use both athletic wrapping and a compression bandage. Both athletic tape and compression bandages can typically be found at pharmacies, big box stores, and from online retailers.

Get someone to help you. It's a good idea to have someone to assist you with taping and wrapping your Achilles tendon because it would be very awkward to do it yourself. Without an assistant it's improbable that you would be able to get a wrap on satisfactorily because you will need to apply tape to the back of your calf and ankle areas. You can talk them through the process of taping and wrapping your Achilles.

Position the foot so the tendon is relaxed. You don't want the tendon to be extended when you wrap it. This means that your foot should be slightly flexed, with all the pressure off the tendon. In this position, your feet will naturally fall into the correct position.

Cover the tendon in a protective pad. Get a non-stick bandage pad or a friction pad that doesn't have adhesive to cover the Achilles tendon area. Attach the pad with athletic tape or another bandage adhesive tape that you have available. Apply anchor points above and below the tendon. Wrap adhesive athletic tape around the leg just above or below the widest part of the calf.

Then also wrap around the foot at the arch.