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Achilles and ankle taping
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I figured the mechanism for Achilles problems is basically this:

- the leg is forced backward on the ankle joint surface, and driven into the Achilles tendon sheath "zone" which causes inflammation to actual injury.

The human leg is actually very well force balanced, just sketching it out. But over-development, shortening of the calf and quad chain will tend to pull the lower leg. And running you are driving the leg off the sole of the foot adding a lot to that rearward force. My theory is this overloads the (weaker) opposing muscle groups that try to maintain leg position - and you could get shin splints as well.

In my case, it's pretty simple - my ankle joint has been damaged and can no longer stabilize the leg from exceeding it's range limitation. In other words my leg is wobbling all over the place on top of my foot.

I've got to do something to prevent rearward leg deflection and keep that ankle together (or quit trying to run!). So far I found this and will look for other taping solutions. But for those with Achilles issues you may want to give it a try:



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Last edited by: SharkFM: Jun 29, 15 17:05
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Re: Achilles and ankle taping [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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Ah, sure - ankle taping has been done for a LONG time.

Just an FYI though: the Achilles has no tendon sheath like most all other tendons.

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD
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Re: Achilles and ankle taping [rroof] [ In reply to ]
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Sure ankle taping has been done forever, for ankles. But what about directly for Achilles?? I have never had a doc or PT say, or even read this statement:

"you need to re-inforce your ankle joint, to prevent your talus/leg from driving back into your Achilles tendon area" Although a PT did mention to me that the back of the ankle irritates the Achilles (agreed!), but no remedy suggested or proposed.

Also was at dinner table with docs a while ago, who were baffled when treating shin splints in local track athletes, other than rest.

Well what I am saying is let's 1. reinforce the ankle joint for the activity using Rocktape and 2. strengthen the tissues that keep the leg from driving back.

How the tape is lapped is key. I like what I saw in the video because you see it places forward tension on the joint.

How #2 is accomplished - I don't know.


PS I read there is no tube for the Achilles that is true, but an overlapping sheath - if I remember correctly.

Training Tweets: https://twitter.com/Jagersport_com
FM Sports: http://fluidmotionsports.com
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Re: Achilles and ankle taping [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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The Achilles has a thin paratenon that helps with some blood supply.

For the posterior talus to irritate the achilles, it would have to completely dislocate off the navicular back, off the dorsal calcaneus and past the ankle. Happens in falls from heights, car accidents, etc. but take some SERIOUS force and you would have some serious issues :0 In fact, that nice space at the back of the ankle (Kager's triangle some call it) is where we put a battery back for an implantable bone stimulator. It is pretty large and causes no achilles issues, so that sorta' debunks that theory ;-)

Remember to also look KNEE instability for achilles issues since the gastrocnemius (not the soleus) crosses the knee joint as well. Most "instability" issues that I think you are trying to get at are more frontal and some transverse plane issues of the subtalar joint that has been studied ad nauseum. The ankle joint is a much more simple hinge type joint and is far less commonly "unstable".

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD
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Re: Achilles and ankle taping [rroof] [ In reply to ]
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All tendons are going to need some tissue like "teflon" in order to function. That's just the way mechanical systems work ;)

OK - I disagree. There is one zone in the movement of running that will close the gap sufficiently to cause damage. The image on the upper right, rotate the image 45 right and this is the power drive for running. Use a flat (track spike /minimalist) shoe and whoa you are going to lock the foot and just hammer that intersection. This is where I hurt my Achilles when trying to PB a 3000M jacked up on coffee with flats on the track (doh!).



I have one good "control" leg and one bad ankled "research" leg. The bad ankle is functioning well, just some minor impingement and some scar tissue. But it is more loose than my good ankle and doesn't tolerate shock as well. So did more investigation, and it's the peroneal muscles. One exercise looks a lot like Achilles eccentrics. In fact I have always suspected that particular exercise was doing something more important than what we believe it was doing. I've done peroneal muscle work in the past, for some reason never continued with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GKtvBd66eY

Ever done an implant on a sprinter?

Training Tweets: https://twitter.com/Jagersport_com
FM Sports: http://fluidmotionsports.com
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Re: Achilles and ankle taping [SharkFM] [ In reply to ]
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Just an update in this - I've had great results!!

After doing daily Peroneal exercises using a stretch cord and toe strap, and following the ankle taping - using ALL of it, I have been running almost daily.

I entered a Olympic distance event this weekend and after awesome swim/run suffered a bit through a slow 10K, but considering the lack of run training I was happy to complete. It was a trail run with lots of varied terrain. Never felt a problem in my Achilles or ankle using the Hokas.

My legs they were another story, quads and calfs were hurting (also a bit sick with a virus) - had to back off to slow plod (not that I was ever fast) and missed the AG podium.

Looking forward to establishing a run program now, which is quite the turnaround.

Training Tweets: https://twitter.com/Jagersport_com
FM Sports: http://fluidmotionsports.com
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