What is Achilles Tendinitis?
Achilles tendinitis occurs when the large tendon connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone becomes inflamed from overuse or wear and tear. It’s not the same as an Achilles rupture, which is a sudden, complete tear. Instead, tendinitis usually develops gradually and causes pain and stiffness that worsens over time. It can occur on the back side of the heel bone or a few inches above that area in the middle of the tendon.
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What Causes Achilles Tendinitis?
This condition is often the result of repetitive stress to the tendon — doing too much, too soon or not allowing your body enough time to recover. Common causes include:
- Rapidly increasing exercise intensity or duration
- Tight calf muscles
- Skipping warm-ups or stretching
- Running on hard or uneven surfaces
- Wearing unsupportive or worn-out shoes
- Bone spurs at the heel where the tendon attaches
Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis
Symptoms often begin as mild discomfort and gradually worsen with activity. Common signs include:
- Pain and stiffness along the back of the heel or tendon, especially in the morning
- Swelling that worsens throughout the day
- Pain that increases with activity or exercise
- Tenderness or thickening along the tendon
- Severe pain the day after exercising
- Swelling or fullness on the back side of the heel
- Bone spur formation in chronic cases
If you hear a “pop” or experience sudden sharp pain, see a doctor immediately (Urgent Care or Emergency Room) — it may be a rupture rather than tendinitis.
How Is Achilles Tendinitis Treated?
Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for swelling, thickening and tenderness along the tendon. They may also test your range of motion and strength. Imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound or MRI may be used to assess inflammation or rule out a rupture.
Most people recover with non-surgical care, though full healing can take weeks or months depending on severity.
Nonsurgical treatments may include:
- Rest and avoiding aggravating activities
- Ice and elevation to reduce inflammation
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Stretching and calf-strengthening exercises
- Physical therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- Supportive and cushioned footwear
If symptoms last longer than six months despite conservative care, surgery may be considered. Procedures can include removing damaged tissue, removing bone spurs or reinforcing the tendon attachment for better function.
How Can I Prevent Achilles Tendinitis?
You can lower your risk by:
- Warming up before exercise and stretching your calves regularly
- Increasing training intensity and duration gradually
- Wearing properly cushioned and supportive shoes
- Alternating between high- and low-impact activities
- Avoiding overtraining or sudden bursts of activity
Treat Achilles Tendinitis at OrthoNebraska
Looking for Achilles tendinitis relief in the Omaha area? At OrthoNebraska, we want to make sure that our patients feel understood, safe and confident to take on an appropriate treatment plan. With proper management, we can help you reduce pain levels and improve quality of life.
