The Achilles tendon is a band of tough tissue on the back of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. Achilles tendonitis causes pain above the heel and in the lower leg, especially after running or doing other physical activities.
The pain often gets worse when exercising and better with rest. Achilles tendonitis is usually an overuse injury when repeated movements injure part of the body. It also can happen when someone:. Achilles tendonitis usually affects people who play sports that put strain on the heel, such as running, jumping, tennis, basketball, figure skating, skiing, or dancing.
Occasionally, doctors order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI if they think the Achilles tendon may be torn. Treatment for Achilles tendonitis starts with taking a break from the activity that led to the injury. If someone with Achilles tendonitis does not rest, the tendon can become more damaged. Steroid injections in or around the Achilles tendon have been linked to tendon rupture and aren't recommended.
Rarely, a person might need surgery if the symptoms do not go away after following the health care provider's recommendations. With rest, Achilles tendonitis usually gets better within 6 weeks to a few months. This damage occurs in the spot where your tendon meets your heel bone. Bone spurs extra bone growth often form with this type. This type of tendonitis can happen at any age, even in people who are not active. The tears in your tendon fibers can cause a complete or partial break or tear in your tendon.
This may be a tendon rupture, which needs immediate medical attention. Your Achilles tendon can develop tendonitis. This is when it becomes inflamed, swollen, and irritated. This needs immediate medical attention. Achilles tendon injuries often cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the back of your leg near your heel.
Achilles tendon injuries can be treated with rest and medicines to help with the inflammation. Exercises often help too.
If needed, surgery can be done to repair the tendon. You can help prevent these injuries by doing things like increasing activity slowly, wearing the correct shoes for your activities, and not exercising on uneven surfaces.
Learn more about common sports injuries and treatments to consider from our sports medicine expert Alex Johnson, M. Anyone can develop an Achilles tendon injury. The most common risk factors are:. Injury to the Achilles tendon causes pain along the back of your leg near the heel.
Sometimes healthcare providers misdiagnose Achilles tendon injuries as a sprained ankle. Several common injuries can make your Achilles tendon painful or prevent it from working well. Imaging tests, such as X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging MRI.
An X-ray shows bones and can show if the tendon has become calcified or hardened, and can show bone spurs. Your doctor will use MRI most often to see how severe the tendon damage is and what treatment is best for you.
A system of exercises that help strengthen your calf muscles to take the pressure off your tendon eccentric strength training. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy: High-energy shockwave impulses help stimulate the healing process in damaged tendon tissue. It may include:. If these treatments don't work or if the injury is severe or complete, surgery may be considered. The type of surgery depends on the location and amount of damage to the tendon.
It can also depend on other things, such as the severity of the tendonitis. Some of the surgical procedures used include:. Other complications can happen because of the treatments used to care for an Achilles tendon injury. For instance:. Call your healthcare provider right away if you hear a pop sound and have sudden pain in the back of your leg or heel. Otherwise, schedule an appointment if pain or trouble moving affects your regular daily activities.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:. Skip to content. Achilles Tendon Injuries Not what you're looking for? Start New Search. What are Achilles tendon injuries? What causes Achilles tendon injuries? Achilles tendon injuries can be caused by the following: Tendonitis Tendonitis might be due to overuse or damage to the area. There are two main types of tendonitis: Noninsertional Achilles tendonitis. Small tears in the middle fibers of your tendon start to break it down.
This causes pain and swelling. This type of tendonitis usually affects active, younger adults. Insertional Achilles tendonitis. This damage occurs in the spot where your tendon meets your heel bone. Bone spurs extra bone growth often form with this type. This type of tendonitis can happen at any age, even in people who aren't active. Who is at risk for Achilles tendon injuries?
The most common risk factors are: Increased amount or intensity of an activity or sport Starting a new sport Tight calf muscles when starting an exercise or sport, which can place more stress on your tendon Bone spurs on your heel, which can rub against the tendon Wearing the wrong shoes when you exercise Exercising on an uneven surface Treatment with the antibiotic fluoroquinolone.
What are the symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury? Common symptoms of tendon injuries include: Pain down the back of your leg or near your heel Pain that gets worse when you're active A stiff, sore Achilles tendon when you first get up Pain in the tendon the day after exercising Swelling with pain that gets worse as you're active during the day Thickening of your tendon Bone spurs on the heel bone Difficulty flexing the affected foot A pop sound and sudden sharp pain, which can mean a ruptured tendon.
How is an Achilles tendon injury diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will consider the following when making a diagnosis: Your overall health and medical history A description of your symptoms A physical exam of your Achilles tendon to check for bone spurs, pain, and swelling A test to see if you can move your ankle properly range of motion Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI.
An X-ray shows bones and can show bone spurs and if the tendon has become calcified or hardened. Your provider will usually use MRI to see how severe the tendon damage is and what treatment is best for you. How are Achilles tendon injuries treated? It may include: Rest Ice Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs for pain relief, such as ibuprofen or naproxen Specific exercises to strengthen your calf muscles Physical therapy Eccentric strength training.
This type of exercise helps strengthen your calf muscles to take pressure off your tendon Low-impact activities, such as swimming Heel lifts in shoes, orthotic shoes, cast, splint, or a walking boot Extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
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