Isometric calf raises for achilles teninopathy (as opposed to eccentric heel drop stretches)

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

Hi Guys, up until recently, the recommendation for achilles tendonopathy rehab has been to do eccentric heel drop stretches , however, new research is indicating it is actually better to do maximal isometric calf raises (hold at the top for 30 secs, so that would be concentric, rather than eccentric x 3 initially- 3 times a day) - has anyone had any experience of this? The theory is the eccentric damages the fascia around the tendon (and 'unravels the collagen') whereas the concentric moves build collagen and promotes other healing properties - any opininions?? thanks, Lisa

 

Hi Lisa - Can you attach or cite the research article or recommendation you are referencing. What I've learned behind the benefit of eccentric training and tendonapathy has to do with the increase in muscle fiber length and sarcomeregenisis. Thanks!

 

Hi,

Aussie Physios Jill Cook and Craig Purdam came up with the isometric strengthening concept for reactive tendinopathy I think.

They propose a reactive tendinopathy stage which should be treated a little differently to the degenerative stage.


Brief overiew here;

http://physiodomain.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tendinopathy.html

There is also a BJSM podcast by Jill Cook here;

http://podcasts.bmj.com/bjsm/category/jill-cook/

In situations that require high levels of elastic strain energy storage and release ( eg Jumping) what appears to be eccentric gastroc/soleus contraction (lengthening) on ankle dosiflexion may actually be isometric muscle contraction with the lengthening coming from the tendon unit during energy storage rather than the muscle. So the isometric muscle strength or control would be important. There is a few papers which mention this (I'll try and find them)

Athol