eccentric loading to cure achilles tendonitis?

The research has shown that 3 x 15 reps, twice a day, with the knee both bent and straight (to affect the soleus and gastroc, respectively), has over a 90% success rate in producing good or excellent outcomes in athletes (i.e. return to full activity). The program is meant to last 12 weeks. Most people can return to running after 6-8 weeks. The key is to use a weight that is so heavy that it requires you to go up with both feet, and lower with one foot. There should also be pain with each repetition - this is INTEGRAL to the success of the protocol. When there is no pain, it is time to add more weight. This continues until running is pain-free.

Keep in mind that this is for tendinosis - the chronic kind that you are describing, with tendon degeneration versus acute inflammation. This has been shown to be both faster and more effective than surgery in the studies performed.

If you want the studies or more information, let me know.

Charlie, PT

P.S. This is not specific medical advice - consult your doctor and all of that other legal stuff.

Thanks Charlie. I recently read a summary of the studies you're referring to--so maybe I already knew the answer to my question? I've patterened my eccentric calf/achilles exercises after that program.

But I'm glad to see that a PT agrees w/ the findings and can support them w/ personal experience.

As i recall, subjects had to do the exercises for a long time to get results - something like 12 weeks or so. so this isn't an overnight thing.

a couple of interesting points about this study is that may not be printed in the summary article is that that the mean age of the guys was something like 40 AND some of them had achilles pain for several years...

so i say stick with it - it's probably the most promising long-term cure out there.

The body has the ability to heal itself through more barefoot activity. You wouldn't have Achilles problems in the first place if it weren't for your shoes. Slip them off, walk, and if possible, run barefoot. Very nice and natural stretch on the calves and Achilles.

This may be of help to you:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=618194&thread=618181

I had an ach. tendonitis flare up first on the left, then on the right a couple months ago (coming back from another unrelated injury). i had pain but cut back a bit on the mileage and ran through it. did eccentric calf raises and gradually (very gradually) incorporated a lot of stretching as the inflammation went down. everything is sweet now. i know of a 13:45 5k runner who has the problem intermittently and just trains through it. the more you eccentrically strengthen your calfs & stretch the better -- but gradually or you'll make it worse. Also, heavy ice after runs. Warm soaks 3 x a day.