Presenting Complaint:
Primary area of pain or limitation: Left Achilles tendon
Date of onset: 01/09/2024
Mechanism of onset: [ ] Gradual [x] Sudden [ ] Trauma [ ] Training change
Pain at rest (0-10): 2
Pain with running (0-10): 7
Current symptoms during or after running: Sharp pain in the left Achilles, particularly during initial push-off and after runs.
Running Background:
Running experience: [ ] Beginner [x] Recreational [ ] Competitive [ ] Elite
Years running: 5
Typical weekly frequency (pre-injury): 3 sessions per week
Typical weekly distance (pre-injury): 20 km
Longest regular run (pre-injury): 10 km
Current Running Schedule:
- Patient currently runs on Tuesdays (5km easy), Thursdays (5km tempo), and Saturdays (10km long run).
Recent Training Changes (Last 6-8 Weeks):
[x] Increased weekly distance
[ ] Increased running frequency
[x] Increased intensity/speed work
[ ] Added hills or trail running
[ ] Change in footwear
[ ] Change in running surface
[x] Reduced recovery days
[ ] Return after time off
Details: Increased weekly distance from 20km to 30km over 4 weeks, incorporating more high-intensity interval training, and reducing rest days from 2 to 1 per week.
Cross-Training & Strength Training:
Current cross-training: Cycling (30 minutes, 2x/week)
Strength training: [ ] None [x] 1-2x/week [ ] 3+x/week
Key exercises performed: Calf raises, squats, lunges
Footwear & Equipment:
Current running shoes: Brooks Glycerin 20
Shoe age / approx. km on shoes: 6 months / 600 km
Orthotics: [x] No [ ] Yes - custom or off-the-shelf if mentioned
Injury History:
Previous running-related injuries: Right knee pain (patellofemoral pain syndrome) 2 years ago, resolved with physio.
Previous stress injuries or fractures: None present.
Other relevant musculoskeletal injuries: Occasional low back stiffness.
Past medical history: No significant medical history.
Load Tolerance & Recovery:
Symptoms during run: [ ] None [ ] Mild [x] Moderate [ ] Severe
Symptoms after run: [ ] None [x] Same day [ ] Next day [ ] >48 hrs
What settles symptoms: Rest, ice, and stretching the calf.
Sleep quality impacted by symptoms: [ ] Yes [x] No
Goals & Expectations:
Primary running goal: To run a pain-free 10km race.
Upcoming races or events: Local 10km charity run on 15/12/2024
Short-term goals: Reduce Achilles pain to 3/10 or less during and after running.
Long-term goals: Complete a half-marathon next year without injury.
Red Flag Screening (Running-Specific):
"The following screening questions are used to identify **bone stress injury, systemic risk factors, and training-related red flags**, consistent with best practice in running injury management."
Bone Stress & Load-Related Risk:
[x] Pain localised to one spot on bone
[x] Pain worsens progressively with running
[ ] Pain present at rest or at night
[x] Pain persists or worsens despite reduced training
[ ] Swelling, warmth, or focal tenderness over bone
Training & Load Red Flags:
[x] Rapid increase in distance, intensity, or frequency
[x] Introduction of speed work, hills, or trails recently
[x] Running through increasing pain
[x] Minimal recovery days between sessions
Health & Energy Availability:
[ ] History of stress fracture
[ ] Low energy availability / inadequate fueling
[ ] Significant recent weight loss
[ ] Menstrual irregularity, if applicable
[ ] Low bone density / osteoporosis diagnosis
"If multiple red flags are identified, running may need to be **paused or modified**, and further investigation (e.g. imaging or GP referral) may be required prior to progression."
Objective Running Assessment (Clinician Use):
Observation:
Fascial hernia: No
Atrophy: No
Discolouration/bruising: No
Foot, Ankle & Toe Assessment:
"Normative Guidelines (Running): 1st MTP extension ~60-65 degrees (functional running range). FHL strength: able to tolerate single-leg heel raise with hallux load without pain. Foot intrinsics: ability to dissociate toes / maintain short foot during single-leg tasks."
1st MTP (toe) extension ROM (WB or NWB):
Right: 65 degrees
Left: 60 degrees
Adequate functional toe extension for running (approximately 60-65 degrees): [x] Yes [ ] No
FHL (Flexor Hallucis Longus) strength:
Resisted hallux flexion: [ ] Strong [x] Reduced [ ] Painful - left
Single-leg heel raise biasing hallux load: [ ] Tolerated [x] Limited - left
Foot intrinsic control (toe dissociation / short foot): [x] Adequate [ ] Reduced
BKTW Screening (Ankle Dorsiflexion):
"Normative Guidelines: knee-to-wall distance approximately 8-12 cm. Side-to-side difference under 2-3 cm. Quality: heel down, controlled midfoot."
Knee-to-wall distance:
Right: 10 cm
Left: 8 cm
Side-to-side difference greater than 2-3 cm: [x] Yes [ ] No
Movement quality:
[x] Heel stays down
[x] Neutral foot control
[ ] Excessive pronation / collapse noted
Strength & Control:
Single-leg squat: [ ] Pass [x] Needs work - left
Step-down control: [x] Pass [ ] Needs work
Trunk control during single-leg tasks: [x] Adequate [ ] Reduced
Isometric Maximum Strength Testing:
"Normative Guidelines: side-to-side difference under 10-15%."
Hamstring 90 degree flexion prone:
Right: 180 Newtons [x] Strong [ ] Reduced
Left: 170 Newtons [x] Strong [ ] Reduced
Side-to-side difference: 5.8%
Side-lying hip abduction:
Right: 150 Newtons [x] Strong [ ] Reduced
Left: 130 Newtons [ ] Strong [x] Reduced
Side-to-side difference: 13.3%
Seated knee extension at 90 degrees:
Right: 200 Newtons [x] Strong [ ] Reduced
Left: 195 Newtons [x] Strong [ ] Reduced
Side-to-side difference: 2.5%
Calf & Lower Limb Capacity:
"Normative Guidelines (Running): single-leg capacity 25 or more repetitions with good control. Side-to-side difference under 10-15%. Symptom response: no increase beyond 24 hours."
Single-leg calf raises (target 25 or more):
Right: 30 repetitions
Left: 18 repetitions
Symptom response to calf loading: [ ] Nil [x] Mild [ ] Significant
90/90 elevated capacity fatigue test (target 25 or more):
Right: 28 repetitions
Left: 15 repetitions
Impact & Plyometric Testing:
Double-leg hopping: [x] Tolerated [ ] Symptomatic
Single-leg hopping: [ ] Tolerated [x] Symptomatic - left
24-hour symptom response to impact: [x] Settled [ ] Increased
Running Observation:
Cadence: 165 steps per minute
Overstriding: [ ] No [x] Yes
Foot contact: Rearfoot
Trunk lean: [x] Adequate [ ] Excessive
Pelvic control: [ ] Adequate [x] Reduced