Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is one of the longest tendons in your body, which stretches from the calf muscle and attaches to the back of the heel bone. It appears as a band of tissue at the back of your ankle and above your heel. The Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone over a broad area. This condition can be referred to or present as insertional tendonitis, midpoint tendonitis, or Haglund’s deformity.
Achilles Tendonitis photo

What Is Achilles Tendonitis?

The exertion of force or repeated stress on the tendon, where it attaches (inserts) to the heel bone can cause tearing, swelling and pain. This eventually leads to wearing and tearing of the tendon. Insertional Achilles tendonitis is the degeneration of the fibres of the Achilles tendon directly at its insertion into the heel bone. Or slightly higher up = midpoint. You may also develop an overlying bursitis or calcification = Haglund’s deformity.

Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis

  • Pain.
  • Swelling.
  • Tenderness at the back of the heel.
The pain gets worse with running, jumping and especially during sports activities.

Diagnosis of Achilles Tendonitis

Your Podiatrist will review your symptoms and may also recommend an X-ray or MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of Achilles Tendonitis

Non – Surgery Pathway:

  • Tendon strengthening +/- stretching program
  • Prescriptive customised same day orthotics.
  • Shockwave Therapy.
  • Heel lifts and proper footwear prescription.

 

Surgery Pathway:

Where advised, if the non-surgical methods prove to be ineffective in treating insertional Achilles tendonitis by your GP or Specialist.
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