Achilles Tendinitis

Part 2

Causes of Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis is typically not related to a specific injury. The problem results from repetitive stress to the tendon. This often happens when we push our bodies to do too much, too quickly.

Other factors can also make a person more likely to develop Achilles tendinitis, including:

* A sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise activity. For example, increasing the distance you run every day by a few miles without giving your body a chance to adjust to the new distance may cause irritation and inflammation.

* Tight calf muscles. Calf muscle tightness puts extra stress on the Achilles tendon, especially where it inserts into the heel bone.

* Haglund’s deformity. This is a condition in which there is enlargement of the bone on the back of the heel. This can rub on the Achilles tendon and cause inflammation and pain.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:

  1. Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning
  2. Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity
  3. Severe pain the day after exercising
  4. Thickening of the tendon Bone spur formation (insertional tendinitis)
  5. Swelling that is present all the time and gets worse throughout the day or with activity
  6. Pain on the back of the heel when you wear shoes If you have experienced a sudden pop in the back of your calf or heel, you may have torn your

Achilles tendon. See your doctor immediately if you think you may have torn your tendon.

If you have experienced a sudden pop in the back of your calf or heel, you may have torn your Achilles tendon. See your doctor immediately if you think you may have torn your tendon.