What is Achilles Tendinopathy?

What Causes Achilles Tendinopathy?

The Achilles tendon carries several times body weight during walking, running and jumping. A sudden increase in training, running on hard surfaces, unsuitable footwear, tight calf muscles and age lead to an accumulation of micro-damage. When repair cannot keep up, the tendon thickens and becomes painful.

Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, worse with the first steps in the morning
• Burning sensation after running or climbing stairs
• Tender swelling or thickening along the tendon
• Weakness when rising onto the toes

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Achilles tendinopathy heal on its own?

In the early phase, load reduction, calf stretching and eccentric strengthening relieve most patients within weeks. If pain persists for months, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy or regenerative injections are considered. Pain that starts with a sudden pop needs an examination to rule out a tendon rupture.