Achilles tendinopathy, also known as Achilles tendonitis, is a pain in the Achilles tendon (the tendon at the back of your leg behind your ankle). The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to your heel bone (calcaneus). It is commonly seen in athletes and people who play sports. Achilles tendinopathy is usually due to overuse and excessive stress on the tendon. It may or may not be associated with a tear of the Achilles tendon.
Symptoms
Pain: Morning pain is considered as the hallmark symptom for Achilles tendonitis
Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling is seen at the back of the leg above the heel
Tenderness: Tenderness around the Achilles tendon is another common symptom
Slight bleeds: Microscopic bleeds are found in certain cases due to micro-trauma
Causes
Overuse: Repeated movements such as jumping and playing sports without proper warm-up can lead to overuse injuries.
Deformities: In conditions like flat foot, more work is put on the tendon due to the malalignment which in turn puts more stress on the Achilles tendon.
Excessive stress: In obese persons, the Achilles tendon is under constant stress due to body weight.
Tight calf muscles: Tight calf muscles can put an extra strain on the Achilles tendon.
Started a new activity: Individuals who are new to exercise who increase their workout intensity too quickly.
Underlying conditions: High levels of uric acid can cause crystal deposition and in turn impair the Achilles tendon.
Age: tendons are less flexible and more prone to injury in the elderly population
Inappropriate footwear: footwear with no or less support or those that are too tight can cause Achilles tendonitis.
Prevention and management
Proper warmup: Ensure adequate warm-up involving quick stretches and gentle exercises before any kind of training
Gradually increasing workout intensity: The number of repetitions, weight, and frequency must be gradually increased to prevent injury
Taping: Taping can be used to inhibit muscle action thereby reducing the load on the tendon
Muscle strengthening: Strengthening calf muscles can reduce the workload on the Achilles tendon.
Compression: Wraps or compressive elastic bandages can help in reducing swelling.
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