Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy

Treating the Flexor Hallicus Longus and Tibialis Posterior Muscle for Achilles Tendinopathy

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Achilles Tendinopathy is produced by an overload of the calf musculature and the Achilles tendon. It’s been found that with runners who have a mid and forefoot striking patterns, the foot loses its dynamic patterns. The foot fails to unlock during the gait cycle which puts an excessive and abnormal load into the muscles of the feet and the ankle.

Muscles should behave more similarly to rubber bands than to ropes. When they don’t, they start to wear away causing a tendinopathy in, this case, the Achilles. The flexor muscle of the big toe is incredibly important in the gait cycle. It is the driving force of pushing your body forward when walking.

In this particular case, the big toe is not driving the foot forward as aggressively as the calf musculature because of his forefoot striking pattern. This leads to an overload of the Achilles tendon. The patient also is getting an overload of the tibialis posterior muscle due to the loss of dynamic ankle motion. Treatment of the muscles of the big toe and the medial foot will help to neurologically reinforce proper foot mechanics, leading to decreased load on the Achilles tendon.

https://youtu.be/yi-33tVm4Vk