Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendinitis (or tendonitis) is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the strong band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. This tendon is used every time you walk, run, jump, or stand on your toes, making it one of the most commonly injured tendons in the body.

Digital illustration of a human ankle showing bones, tendons, and muscles with a highlighted red area indicating pain or injury.

  • Achilles tendinitis often develops due to repetitive stress or overuse. Contributing factors include:

    • Intense or sudden increase in physical activity

    • Tight calf muscles

    • Bone spurs (extra bone growth at the heel)

    • Improper footwear

    • Rheumatoid arthritis or infection

    • Degeneration of the tendon over time

    • Stiffness or pain along the tendon, especially in the morning

    • Swelling or thickening of the tendon

    • Heel pain that worsens with activity

    • Tight, stiff calf muscles

    • Warmth or tenderness at the back of the heel

    • Limited ankle flexibility

    • Insertional Achilles Tendinitis – inflammation where the tendon attaches to the heel bone, often associated with bone spurs.

    • Non-Insertional Achilles Tendinitis – degeneration, swelling, and tiny tears in the middle portion of the tendon, more common in younger, active people.

  • Untreated Achilles tendinitis can progress to:

    • Severe, chronic pain

    • Difficulty walking or exercising

    • Deformity of the tendon or heel bone

    • Complete tendon rupture requiring surgery

  • 1. Try This at Home

    • RICE protocol – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation

    • Supportive shoes and activity modification

    • Over-the-counter NSAIDs for pain and swelling

    2. Podiatrist-Guided Care

    • Custom orthotics or braces to offload the tendon

    • Physical therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises

    • Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – non-invasive, high-energy sound waves that stimulate healing of chronic Achilles tendon injuries and reduce pain without injections or surgery

    • Ultrasound-guided injections – PRP (platelet-rich plasma) to reduce inflammation and promote tendon healing

    3. Surgical Treatment (if conservative care fails)

    If symptoms persist after 6 months, surgery may be recommended. Options include:

    • Debridement and repair – removing damaged tissue and repairing the tendon

    • Debridement with tendon transfer – if more than 50% of the tendon is damaged, tissue from another tendon may be used to strengthen it

    • Gastrocnemius recession – surgical lengthening of calf muscles for patients with limited flexibility

    • Open repair or minimally invasive repair for complete ruptures

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor with any questions about your health.