Achillies Tendonitis Podiatrist

Achilles tendonitis is a painful and often debilitating inflammation of the Achilles tendon, also called the heel cord. The Achilles tendon is located in the back of the lower leg, attaches to the heel bone and connects the calf muscles to the foot. The Achilles tendon gives us the ability to rise up on our toes, facilitating the act of walking, and Achilles tendonitis can make walking almost impossible.

Achilles tendonitis is more common in athletes, poorly conditioned athletes are at the highest risk for developing Achilles tendonitis. Participating in activities that involve sudden stops and starts and repetitive jumping increases the risk for the condition. It often develops following sudden changes in activity level, training on poor surfaces, or wearing inappropriate footwear.
Achilles tendonitis may be caused by a single incident of overstressing the tendon, or it may result from a series of stresses that produce small tears over time.
The condition also develops in people who exercise infrequently and those who are just beginning an exercise program, because inactive muscles and tendons have little flexibility because of inactivity. It is important for people who are just starting to exercise to stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.
Because the arch of the foot naturally flattens over time, especially in athletes, Achilles tendonitis often develops later in life.
Women who wear high heel shoes often and switch to sneakers for exercise also can develop Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon and lower leg muscles gradually adapt to a shortened position because the shoes prevent the heel from stretching all the way to the ground. When this occurs, wearing sneakers or flat shoes forces the Achilles tendon to stretch further than it is accustomed to, causing inflammation. If high heels are worn everyday, stretching should be done every morning and night to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.
In most cases, symptoms of Achilles tendonitis develop gradually. Pain may be mild at first and worsen with continued activity. Repeated or continued stress on the Achilles tendon increases inflammation and may cause it to rupture. Partial or complete rupture results in traumatic damage and severe pain, making walking virtually impossible and requiring a long recovery period.
Patients with tendonitis may experience a sensation of fullness in the back of the lower leg or develop a hard knot of tissue.
Initial treatment is to reduce pain and swelling this may be achieved with anti inflammatory medication. Often a heel raise may help and the patient should be assessed to see if they over pronate. If this is the case then custom orthotics will help the condition. If you suffer from this condition you should visit a Podiatrist.

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Page last updated 14 October, 2007