Inflammation of the Achilles tendon attachment – Step 4

Rehabilitation starts with the exercises in Step 1. When the exercises can be performed without pain, rehabilitation starts on the next step.

How often and for how long should I train? Training frequency and duration are individual. Start with about 3 repetitions per workout. exercise and at least 3 times a week. Slowly increase the number of repetitions and load without exceeding the pain threshold

Do I have to do the whole program every time? No, you can divide the exercises into different days. The most important thing is to exercise regularly and gradually increase the intensity

Read about the injury

Instruction

Read the full instruction for rehabilitation here

The time in minutes indicates the time distribution between stretching, balance and strength if you train for one hour.
Whether you train for one hour or 10 minutes, for example, is adapted to your starting point – and can be increased over time.

This rehabilitation guide for Achilles tendon pain has been developed in collaboration with Rikke Høffner, Postdoc, Sports Physiotherapist, Department of Sports Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital.

Condition

Unrestricted: Cycling, swimming and running on soft surfaces, within pain tolerance, gradually increasing distances and speeds.

Stretching

15 min of each training session

Stand in front of a wall with your training leg stretched backwards and your toes pointing forwards to tighten the calf muscle. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Slowly bend the knee of the training leg so that the calf muscle becomes increasingly stretched. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, relax for 10 seconds and repeat the exercise a total of 3 times.

Stand with the training leg straight with the ankle bent up against the wall. Press your body against the wall so that the calf muscle becomes increasingly stretched. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, relax for 10 seconds and repeat the exercise a total of 3 times.

Coordination

5 minutes of each training session

Balance on two feet on the balance board. To begin with, use your hand to support yourself against the wall. Later, balance on one foot without support. Try holding it later balancing with your eyes closed.

Stand on your training leg with your knee straight. Bend your body forwards at a 90-degree angle and lift your good leg straight out behind you. Keep your balance on the supporting leg. If necessary, use one hand to support yourself against the wall at first. Once you feel confident, you can make the exercise more challenging by closing your eyes. The load can be further increased by holding a heavy object in one hand, with the hand and arm pointing towards the floor.

Strength

40 minutes of each training session

Stand with both front feet on the floor. Slowly stand up on your toes with your weight on your healthy leg. Slowly lower yourself down onto the training leg. Use the healthy leg to get back up on your toes. Perform the exercise alternately with the knee stretched and bent. Gradually decrease the number of repetitions with more resistance by putting on a backpack and gradually increase the load in the backpack.

Stand behind a chair and, if necessary, support yourself by placing your hands on the backrest. Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet on the affected foot. Hold the position for a few seconds. Lower yourself back down. The load can be increased by putting on a rucksack and gradually adding weight to it. Gradually reduce the number of repetitions whilst increasing the resistance by putting on a rucksack and gradually adding weight to it.

Stand with your legs straight, with the balls of your feet on a doorstep. Rise onto your toes. Hold the position for a few seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Make the exercise more challenging by wearing a rucksack with increasing weight.

Attach the resistance band at hip height. Stand with your back to the anchor point of the resistance band. Place the resistance band around your waist. Stand on one leg and take a small step forward, landing on the other leg so that the band is taut. Return to the starting position.

Stand on your training leg. Push off and jump straight up. Land on your training leg.

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