Achilles tendinitis

Overview

Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the band of tissue that joins your calf muscles at the back of your lower leg to your heel bone, known as the Achilles tendon.

Achilles tendinitis most frequently affects runners who have abruptly increased their run length or intensity. Middle-aged people who only participate in weekend sports like basketball or tennis are also prone to this.

Most occurrences of Achilles tendinitis can be managed with relatively straightforward at-home treatment while under the guidance of your doctor. Self-care techniques are typically required to stop reoccurring episodes. Achilles tendon ruptures (tendon tears) can result from more severe occurrences of Achilles tendinitis and may need to be repaired surgically.

Symptoms

After jogging or engaging in other physical activity, Achilles tendinitis pain frequently starts as a minor soreness at the back of the leg or above the heel. When running, climbing stairs, or sprinting for an extended period of time, more intense pain episodes may happen.

Tenderness or stiffness may also be present, especially in the morning, but this normally goes away with light exercise. Swelling may also appear around the Achilles tendon.

Call your doctor if the area around your Achilles tendon is painful all the time. In the event that the pain or disability is severe, seek immediate medical attention. You might have an Achilles tendon tear or rupture.

Causes

The band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, the Achilles tendon, is subjected to repeated or severe strain, which results in Achilles tendinitis. When you walk, run, leap, or lift yourself up onto your toes, this tendon is affected.

Age-related structural weakening of the Achilles tendon makes it more prone to injury, especially in persons who do sports exclusively on the weekends or who have abruptly increased the intensity of their running routines.

Risk factors

Your chance of developing Achilles tendinitis may be impacted by a number of variables, including:

• Sex. Men are more likely than women to get Achilles tendinitis.
• Age. As you get older, Achilles tendinitis becomes increasingly prevalent.
• Physical problems. Your foot’s inherent flat arch may place more stress on your Achilles tendon. Additionally, calf muscle tightness and obesity might worsen tendon strain.
• Physical activities. Achilles tendinitis risk is increased when running in worn-out shoes. Cold weather is more likely than warm weather to cause tendon soreness, and running on mountainous terrain increases your risk of Achilles injury.
• Underlying diseases. Achilles tendinitis is more likely to occur in those with psoriasis or hypertension.
• Medications. Fluoroquinolones, a class of antibiotics, have been linked to greater occurrences of Achilles tendinitis.