Tendinitis is when a tendon becomes irritated or inflamed. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or disease.
In Greek mythology, a hero named Achilles, as a child, was dipped in the waters of the River Styx by his mother, by which means he became invulnerable, except for the part of his heel by which she held him (the proverbial “Achilles’ heel”) making it his only one weakness.
Your Achilles tendon connects your heel bone to your calf. If it’s overly stressed, you can get Achilles tendinitis, the main cause of Achilles tendon pain. If untreated, it can lead to an Achilles tendon rupture.
Achilles tendon disorders are common sports injuries. People at high risk include those who:
Participate in sports less frequently (weekend warriors). People may also be at higher risk for Achilles tendinitis because of your anatomy (body shape and structure). These include people with:
If you experience persistent pain around the Achilles tendon, call your doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if the pain or disability is severe. You may have a torn (ruptured) Achilles tendon.
If conservative treatments don’t work, surgery may be necessary to prevent an Achilles rupture. Your doctor may recommend a few options for Achilles tendon surgery based on how severe the condition is and where it’s located.
To reduce the risk of Achilles tendinitis: