Musculoskeletal

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. It most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It's also common in middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis or basketball, only on the weekends.

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Symptoms

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Causes

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Treatments

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Prevention

Condition Overview

Understand key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, and treatment pathways for Achilles Tendinitis. This overview is intended for patient awareness and should be followed by specialist consultation.

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Symptoms

  • Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning
  • Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity
  • Severe pain the day after exercising
  • Thickening of the tendon
  • Bone spur (insertional tendinitis)
  • Swelling that is present all the time and gets worse throughout the day with activity

Causes

  • Sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Bone spur
  • Age-related changes to the tendon

Diagnosis

  • Physical examination
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasound
  • MRI

Treatment

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises
  • Physical therapy
  • Orthotics or shoe inserts
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Surgery (in severe cases)

Risk Factors

  • Age
  • Sex (more common in men)
  • Running with worn-out shoes
  • Obesity
  • Medical conditions such as psoriasis or high blood pressure

Prevention

  • Increase exercise intensity gradually
  • Choose appropriate footwear
  • Stretch daily
  • Strengthen calf muscles
  • Cross-train with low-impact activities

Prevalence

Achilles tendinitis is very common, especially in runners and athletes.