Achilles tendinitis

It's common in runners and middle-aged people who play sports only on the weekends.

Heel pain and tenderness are key symptoms.

Treatment usually involves at-home care under a doctor's supervision, such as rest and pain relievers.

achilles tendinopathy
achilles tendonitis

Consult a doctor for medical advice

Sources: Mayo Clinic and others.

Common

< 0

Cases per year

More than 200,000 cases per year in US

Treatment from medical professional advised

Requires a medical diagnosis

Rarely requires lab test or imaging

More common in males

Can last several months

Common for ages 50 and older

Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles (uh-KILL-eez) tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone.

Achilles tendinitis 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.

Most cases of Achilles tendinitis can be treated with relatively simple, at-home care under your doctor’s supervision. Self-care strategies are usually necessary to prevent recurring episodes. More-serious cases of Achilles tendinitis can lead to tendon tears (ruptures) that may require surgical repair.

The most common cause of Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury, that is, repetitive stress due to excessive exercising, walking or sports activities.
Other causes include:

Suddenly increasing the intensity of exercise without a proper warm up
Playing sports that require swift or rapid movements
Not taking enough time to increase training gradually
Wearing ill- fitting footwear and using the wrong equipment
Using high heels for long periods of time
Running on uneven surfaces

Older people and people having bone spurs are at increased risk

Tendon-

-A tendon is a specialized structure that attaches muscle to bone and helps facilitate musculoskeletal movement. Tendons are made primarily of collagen, a protein that gives the structure enormous tensile strength. Inflammation in a tendon is known as tendinitis, a condition that can cause joint pain and swelling.Common types of tendinitis include Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL) Tendinitis, also known as dancer's tendonitis and Patellar Tendinitis, or jumper's knee.