Orthopedics-Online

Taping from an achilles tendinitis

introduction

Apart from this "conventional" tape bandage, there are also so-called kinesio tapes, which are also used in the case of Achilles tendonitis.

They are supposed to enable good blood and lymph drainage. The scientific effect has not been proven, but kinesio tapes are used in the treatment of chronic and acute pain of the Achilles tendon. But they have no stabilizing effect, so that a conventional tape dressing is necessary. This should be used by a qualified orthopedic surgeon or physiotherapist.

Tape bandage

The tape bandage has various effects that have a positive effect on the integrity of the Achilles tendon.

It consists of plaster strips that are attached to the skin in different ways depending on the desired effect and protect the joint without immobilizing it completely. These plaster strips are quite inelastic and fixed on one side with an adhesive layer. There are different types of plaster strips depending on the desired effect. Underlay tapes can be attached under the actual tape dressing in the event of allergic reactions.

Unwanted and excessive movements are restricted by the tape dressing so that it is a functional dressing. In addition, the tape dressing transfers the forces that occur to the skin, relieving the pressure on the joint and the ligaments (augmentation). The perception of movements is improved (proprioception), compression is used to reduce swelling and injured structures are splinted.

Appointment with an expert in Achilles tendonitis?

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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
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Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by the Achilles tendonitis disease. In many cases, the cause of the Achilles tendonitis cannot be identified at first. Therefore, the treatment requires a lot of experience. I focus on Achilles tendonitis.

The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

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60311 Frankfurt am Main

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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

Leukotape

Tapes are available in different strengths and designs from different manufacturers. In Germany, the word has it Leukotape naturalized for the material used in tape bandages. This designation is based on the name of the Leukotape company, which in addition to tape bandages also produces a large range of plaster strips.

How a conventional tape bandage works

Taping the Achilles tendon doesn't always make sense. In the event of a real rupture or inflammation, the tape dressing cannot heal. However, it is a good way of supporting athletes in the final phase of recovery. It can help you to be resilient again faster in competitions and in everyday sports by stabilizing the Achilles tendon. For example, a new rupture can be prevented.

Tape dressings on the Achilles tendon are otherwise suitable for the prophylaxis of injuries and in general for the prevention of sports injuries. The plaster strips on the Achilles tendon, the heel bone, the lower fibula and at the bottom of the foot should stabilize the ankle and prevent unwanted movements that would strain the Achilles tendon. This relieves the tendon and prevents a painful rupture. Such undesirable movements that could injure the Achilles tendon are abnormal or excessive twisting and buckling of the ankle. The plaster strips attached parallel to the Achilles tendon stabilize the joint so that the tendon is well relieved.

application

Before applying the plaster strips, the skin must be shaved and cleaned. Grease residue, dirt or cream can prevent the bandage from sticking.

The plaster strips must be taut and wrinkle-free parallel to the Achilles tendon. However, you should not constrict, otherwise blood congestion can occur due to reduced venous outflow.
In general, two strips of plaster are stuck on the sole of the foot, over the heel and fibula to just below the knee. They lie to the right and left of the Achilles tendon. The two strips are then fixed in about three places with transverse tapes. Applying such a tape dressing to the Achilles tendon should be done the first time under the guidance of an orthopedic surgeon, since the symptoms can otherwise worsen if the dressing is incorrectly or too tightly applied.

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manual

Tape dressings must not be applied to injured or irritated skin. If you are known to have allergies to adhesives and plasters, you should refrain from using a tape dressing. The skin should be clean, dry and free of grease before application. Ointments and lotions must be wiped off before the plaster strips are used.
When applying, make sure that the bandage is not too tight. The blood supply to the affected limb must not be cut off. The tapes must not cut into the skin at any point or rub when moving.
The most common side effects of taping are intolerance reactions of the skin, an insufficient supply of blood to the skin and muscles, congestion of venous blood in the limbs and pressure points. When taping the Achilles tendon, the bandage is not wrapped, as is known from conventional bandages. Rather, the aim of the application is to support the diseased tendon. For this purpose, the plaster strips are stuck parallel to the Achilles tendon. You start under the foot on the heel and run the tape parallel to the Achilles tendon up the calf to just below the knee joint. The plaster strips are stuck in pairs alternately on the right and left according to the scheme two on the right, two on the left.
Cross-running plaster strips should stabilize the tapes in about three levels on the calf and at the level of the Achilles tendon. The bandage is intended to support the ankle joint while maintaining mobility and to protect the inflamed Achilles tendon.

Achilles tendon kinesio tape

General information on kinesio tape

Kineso tapes are special tape dressings that are designed to improve blood and lymph drainage through constant massage of the area of the body to which they are applied. They help with chronic and acute pain, for example caused by inflammation of the Achilles tendon, previous injuries, incorrect loads or other. The scientific benefit of kinesio tapes has not been proven, but they are used in supportive therapy for pain in the Achilles tendon. The tapes have different colors, which stand for different properties (e.g. calming). However, the kinesio tape does not give the Achilles tendon any stability, so that it does not increase the tendon's resilience. So it is useless for athletes who want to stabilize their ankle for exercise.

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Using a kinesio tape

Depending on the manufacturer, there are different instructions for applying a kinesiotape bandage. Basically, however, the techniques are very similar. For a simple Kinesio dressing of the Achilles tendon, you need two long and two short strips of plaster. The bandage is applied in the prone position. The foot is set up and tensed. The first long strip of tape is now divided into 2 halves lengthways. The lower third of the strip remains undivided as a base. This is now attached over the heel and the calcaneus without pulling. This tape base is now modeled and smoothed out with your hands after it has been attached. The frictional heat improves the hold. Then the outer half of the tape is pulled over the outside of the calf with tension and then runs inwards below the hollow of the knee. Using the same principle, attach the inner half of the tape to the inside of the calf and let the end run over the outer end so that both halves of the plaster meet here again.

Now you need the second long strip of tape. This is stroked over the calf, starting with the heel and then ending without pulling below the hollow of the knee. Now only the two short strips of plaster are missing. One of them is glued directly to the painful area with maximum tension and then runs towards the inside of the ankle without pressure. The second short strip of plaster is applied to the sole of the foot with tension and spread upwards so that the tape bandage of the calf is additionally stabilized. Applying such a bandage can also be done on your own with a little practice. Otherwise you should get help from someone, e.g. a physiotherapist.

Can tape ease the pain?

If you stick tape to a painful part of the body, you ensure that this area is stabilized.

This is particularly useful in the case of inflammation of individual tendons to relieve the tendon. The fact that the skin on which the tape is attached pushes itself more and more over the moving muscles during movements improves the blood circulation in them. This helps, on the one hand, to bring nutrients that are transported via the blood to the inflamed area and, on the other hand, to remove waste materials that arise in the inflamed area and cause pain more quickly.

In this respect, the question of whether a tape can relieve pain, if used correctly, can usually be answered with yes.

Find out more:

Therapy of achilles tendinitis

Should you use tape to get back into sport?

It makes sense to tape the Achilles tendon before or during sport in order to increase stability.

On the one hand, this can prevent further injuries, secondary injuries or even recurrences, i.e. recurring inflammation, and on the other hand, it can take the pressure load off the inflamed Achilles tendon. Nevertheless, care should be taken to return to sport slowly and carefully. The tape is no guarantee of one hundred percent stability.

Should you tape a swollen Achilles tendon?

If the Achilles tendon is swollen, the inflammation is relatively advanced. It is possible that a tape does not contribute much to faster healing.

However, swellings always indicate that fluid is accumulating in a tissue and is either produced more or is more difficult to remove. As already mentioned, taping can promote blood circulation. Increased blood flow can also have both effects. On the one hand, more fluid can get into the affected area due to the increasingly full vessels, but on the other hand the vessels can also absorb the fluid there more quickly and thus transport it away. However, this balance depends on many other factors.

It should be noted that the tape is applied in such a way that it promotes lymph drainage (i.e. the drainage of free fluid). There are special ways to do this. Therefore, it makes sense to have the correct application of the tape professionally demonstrated.

What do you have to consider when taping a torn tendon?

The rupture of the Achilles tendon usually occurs with infrequent but then intense movement. This injury often affects male patients between the ages of 30 and 50 years. The tearing can usually be heard clearly and is followed by sudden sharp pain.

Here, too, a tape can be useful to increase stability and to relieve the tendon so that the two ends can come closer together. However, if the Achilles tendon ruptures, taping alone is not sufficient in most cases. In addition, a doctor's visit is essential. The rupture can only be treated conservatively in relatively rare cases; it usually has to be treated surgically. In this case, the tape can only be applied after the operation to provide more stability.

Cost of taping

The one-time Applying a tape dressing for Achilles tendonitis is usually an inexpensive procedure. The material used is available in pharmacies or online shops at relatively low prices. However, it should be noted here that the costs for treatment with tapes can increase significantly if the bandage has to be worn for a longer period of time. The materials cannot be reused as they are for orthosis treatment. If the bandage is renewed, the old tapes must be discarded and new ones applied.
The same applies to any additionally used upholstery fabrics. If residues of the adhesive on the skin have to be removed repeatedly, an additional one may be necessary skin-friendly solvent to acquire. The cost of taping for Achilles tendonitis is based on the Duration the application and the amount the materials used.

Illustration of achilles tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis
is an overload violation

Achilles tendon -
Tendo calcaneus
Heel bone -
Calcaneus
Three-headed calf muscle -
Triceps surae muscle

consisting of:
- Internal calf muscle -
Gastrocnemius muscle,
Caput mediale
- External calf muscle -
Musculu gastrocnemius,
Caput laterale
- clod muscle -
Soleus muscle

Typical causes of a
Achilles tendonitis
(see pictures):

- running (too many training kilometers,
running speed too fast)
- Running uphill
(hilly terrain), climbing stairs
- Footwear (high heels)