Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis

Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis

Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis

The Achilles tendon attaches the two calf muscles to your heel.

Named after the Greek god Achilles for its strength, the Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in your body. While inflammation (tendinitis) may contribute to your symptoms in the first few days, symptoms are the result of a degenerative process (tendinosis) in the collagen fibres that make up the tissue.

Causes

» Inappropriate increases in mileage

» Too much interval training

» Hill running

» Inadequate recovery time between workouts

» Calf weakness

» Over-pronation

» Poor calf muscle flexibility

Symptoms

The warning signs are a gradual onset of pain over the Achilles tendon.

In mild cases, you may experience pain only when you run.

As it becomes more severe, you may experience pain with your normal daily activities or even at rest.

The tendon area will become tender to the touch and also be visibly swollen.

Pinching the tendon between your thumb and forefinger usually reproduces the pain.

Treatment

» Reduce your training

» Ice the tendon three to four times a day

» Strengthen your calf muscles with eccentric training, which promotes the formation of collagen

» Get different shoes if over-pronation is the cause of your Achilles tendinitis

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