Achilles Tendinopathy – Homeopathic Treatment of Achilles Tendinitis 

An inflammation of the achilles tendon is known as achilles tendinitis (or tendonitis). This condition is also known as achilles tendinopathy. Homeopathic Treatment of Achilles Tendinitis involves the use of highly effective medicines that help reduce the inflammation of the achilles tendon and prevent the condition from worsening further.  The Achilles tendon is a tissue band that attaches the calf muscle (present in the back of leg) to calcaneus, or the heel bone. It is the thickest as well as the strongest tendon in the body. 

Homeopathic Treatment of Achilles Tendinitis 

Homeopathy provides a very natural and effective treatment for cases of achilles tendinitis. Homeopathic medicines bring about excellent relief in its symptoms including pain, swelling, stiffness in the region of achilles tendon and a  tight feeling in the calf muscles. Among the various homeopathic medicines for treating achilles tendinitis, the top grade ones are Rhus Tox and Ruta. These medicines work best when the inflammation of the tendon follows excessive straining or stress on the tendon due to its overuse. In case of a tear of the achilles tendon, one must seek help from conventional treatment for immediate care, and rely on homeopathy for supportive treatment only. 

1. Rhus Tox – Top Grade Medicine

Rhus Tox is a top grade medicine to treat cases of achilles tendinitis. It is a forefront medicine when tendinitis arises from overuse of tendon or putting over stress, or over strain on the tendons. It helps to reduce the inflammation of the tendon and bring relief in pain of the tendon. People needing it mostly have aching pain in the lower back side of the leg. With this the calf muscle feels tensed. Stiffness in the leg is also felt, particularly in the morning hours. They also have pain in heels that is mostly sharp and stitching in nature. A general relief may be felt by motion and the complaint can worsen while at rest.

2. Ruta – Tendinitis Following Overuse of Tendon 

It is a natural medicine prepared from fresh plant Ruta graveolens, commonly known as Garden Rue. This plant belongs to the family Rutaceae. Just like Rhus Tox, this medicine is well-indicated to treat cases in which tendinitis follows tendon overuse or strain or stress on the tendons. There is an aching or sore, bruised pain in the tendon along with marked restlessness.  

3. Causticum – For Pain in Lower Leg

This medicine is useful when there is a pain in the lower leg. The pain is mostly tearing in nature. Along with this, the achilles tendon feels contracted and tensed. The heel also feels contracted. Other than this, cramping in the achilles tendon is also treated well with this medicine.

4. Bryonia – When Motion Worsens the Complaint

This medicine is prepared from the root of the plant Bryonia alba having the common name White Bryony and Wild Hops. This plant belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is best suited when the tendon is painful and motion increases the complaint. In cases needing it the tendon is also sore and bruised. With this there is marked pain in heel and tightness in the calf muscle.

5. Zincum Met – For Pulsating, Drawing or Tearing Pain 

This medicine is very beneficial when there is pain in the achilles tendon having pulsating, drawing or tearing nature. The complaint worsenS from touching the heel to ground. A contracted sensation in the achilles tendon attends the pain. Lastly, the calf muscles feel tense and stiff usually when walking.

6. Cimicifuga – When the Tendon is Painful, Sore and Stiff 

This medicine is prepared from the root of the plant Cimicifuga racemosa commonly named as Black Cohosh. This plant belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It is a very effective medicine when there is aching pain, soreness and stiffness in the achilles tendon. These symptoms increase from walking. There is aching pain down the leg and bruised sensation in the heels. It is also indicated when the aching, pain and stiffness of tendon worsens in the evening time.

7. Berberis Vulgaris – For Pain in Back of Heel

Berberis Vulgaris medicine is prepared from the bark of the root of plant barberry. This plant belongs to the family Berberidaceae. This medicine is useful when there is pain in the back of the heel. This pain can be tearing, stinging, stitching in nature. The heel pain tends to worsen while stepping, standing and walking, and the heel area can also be swollen along with the pain. 

8. Ignatia – For Pain in Achilles Tendon and Calf Muscle

This medicine is considered when there is pain in achilles tendon and calf muscle. The pain is tearing in nature. This worsens from walking or exerting the area. Another symptom indicative of its use is a burning sensation in the heels especially at night time.

9. Muriatic Acid – For Swelling and Heat in the Region 

This medicine is prominently used when there is swelling and marked heat in the area over the area of the achilles tendon. It is also highly painful and causes difficulty in walking. Lying down helps relieve the complaint. A drawing and tensed sensation in the calf-muscle can appear along with above symptoms. This medicine is used to treat the right leg more often. 

10. Calcarea Carb – For feeling of Contraction 

This medicine is valuable to treat cases in which a person has a contracted feeling in the achilles tendon along with pain. With this, there is a stitching pain in the leg and above the ankle. There can also be an attending complaint of pain in the calf muscle upon walking, bending the foot or on touching. 

11. Benzoic Acid – When Pain Worsens from Walking

It is a significant medicine for cases when the pain in the tendon worsens from walking. The pain begins from slightest body weight being put on the heel while walking in such cases. It is a well-indicated medicine for complaint in the left side of the leg.

12. Kali Bichrome – For Soreness and Burning Sensation in Heel

This medicine is helpful when there is marked soreness and burning sensation in the heel. The soreness is worse from walking. Along with this, pain in the achilles tendon with a stretched sensation and aching in the calf muscle is also present.

Causes and Risk Factors 

The achilles tendon is used during walking, jumping and running. Though it is the strongest tendon, it is prone to inflammation that arises from the overuse of this tendon or putting, repetitive or extreme stress and extreme strain on this tendon.  

The factors that increase the risk of getting achilles tendinitis are as follows:

1. Repeated exercise or sudden increase in intensity of exercise involving achilles tendon or excessive running, jumping that puts intense strain and stress on this tendon increases the risk.

2. Athletes or people participating in some sports that put extra stress on the achilles tendon are at risk.
3. Wearing worn out or poorly fitting shoes for a long time or while running. This also applies for ill-fitting high heels or their excessive use. 
4. Elderley people are at an increased risk owing to the weakening of the tendon with age. 
5. A naturally flat-arched foot also predisposes a person towards this condition.
6. Tightness in the calf muscles can lead to an inflammation in the achilles tendon. 
7. It happens more in men than women, and people who are overweight or obese face an increased risk. 
8. Bone spurs (bony outgrowth developing along the edges of a bone) in the back of the heels can lead to its inflammation. 
9. Certain medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease causing inflammation of the joint with pain, swelling and stiffness in joints), high blood pressure  and psoriasis (autoimmune disorder that causes skin inflammation along with silvery white plaques) also increase the likelihood. 
10. Certain antibiotics containing fluoroquinolones can lead to this condition as a side effect.
11. This condition is more common in the cold weather as compared to warm weather

Types of Achilles Tendinitis

Tendinitis is primarily of two types –  

1. Insertional Achilles tendinitis – In this type the lower part of achilles tendon where it joins the heel bone is affected
2. Non- insertional Achilles tendinitis – In this type the fibers in the middle area of the achilles tendon are affected.

Symptoms 

The main symptom in cases of achilles tendinitis is pain above the heel or at the bottom of the back side of the leg. The pain most times appears while walking or running. Swelling in the back of the heel can appear and this area can also be tender and warm to touch. The calf muscles can feel tight along with the above symptoms. Lastly morning stiffness can be felt near the heel or bottom of the leg that usually starts getting better after mild activity.

Complications 

Achilles tendinitis can lead to deformity of this tendon or heel bone. Long term inflammation in the achilles tendon also leads to weakening of this tendon. This makes it prone to tear or rupture that mostly requires surgery for its repair.