Achilles Problem

[nandz]

Well to get started... Im from south africa! Im 16 years old and athletics (400m,800m,1500m aswell as crosscountry) is a very serious and big part of my life. Ive been to 6international athletics meetings in the last year. So you would see im a dedicated runner. About a month ago, I began to feel pain in my right heel. It made a funny kind of bump and the pain was hectic. It forced me to slack on my training and it caused alot of pain when I walked, jogged or stood on it more than 10min!
I decided to seek profesional help and when doing so, i was diagnosed whith 'Achilles Tendonitis+birsitis' (Im unsure of what the meaning of that is, if you can explain, that would help!!!) Secondly, is this a Serious injury to have on the age of 16? Thirdly, what should I do to cure this injury, and what can I do to Keep it from occuring in the future?

Thanx... I know someone out there has these answers!!!
From a confused, and tierd south african 16 year old xxx:confused: :confused:

[injuryupdate]

Look up eccentric exercises and definitely do these. Start doing training with a heel raise and/or orthotics to temporarily unload the Achilles. Although they aren't first line treatment everywhere, I would seek out someone who can prescribe you nitrate oxide patches to put on the tendon (RCT has shown good results).

Avoid cortisone injections in a sprinter as they are associated with rupture and this would put an end to ever running a PB again if you ruptured the tendon.

[anigee]

Stretch and Don't over train. I'm 15 and have suffered and achilles rupture, so don't feel alone. I know many people with tendonitis, just give it time and don't come back too soon! good luck!