I have a history of tendon problems, currently a damaged Achilles. While I’m sitting around with a cast on my leg, looking forward to gentle exercises . . . I’m wondering whether there are any supplements that promote tendon strength.
Tendons have a lot of collagen, so foods that promote collagen production are good. Eating actual collagen isn’t as useful as some health foods promote because it’s going to get broken down during digestion anyways, not directly deposited on your tendons.
The best thing is to eat healthy and exercise, specifically the muscles who’s tendons give you the most trouble.
What kind of exercises would you advise?
Well just straight forward stuff. In the OP’s example, calf raises work the muscles that the Achilles attach to. This isn’t a matter of producing a super soldier - just a matter of encouraging the naturally occuring strengthening of body parts that get more use.
I don’t think any vitamin or mineral supplements would have any benefit at all. Just eat a healthy, balanced, and varied diet. Everything anyone needs for tendon health is right there in their food, just as is everything you need for heart health, liver health, muscle health, and so on.
Achilles tendons are easy to hurt, and when that happens, they take a hell of a long time to heal again. Mine took a year, after I hurt it while out walking. I stepped down just wrong, stretched my ankle too far, and, ouch.
I agree with CarlnalK: just keep on walking, slowly at first. If it hurts, go more slowly. You might benefit from a walking stick. If it really hurts, see a doggone doctor.
(Any time anyone talks about “intelligent design,” I just say, “My foot!”)
Tendons are strengthened by static holds against force. Hold or wear heavy weights while standing with the back 3/4 of your foot hanging off a short (like a half inch or so) dropoff.