General Information About Achilles Tendinitis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the fatigue, thickening, edema, and irritation of the Achilles tendon, which enables the body to walk, jump, and rise on its toes, due to continuous excessive load.
Heel spur pain is felt at the bottom (sole) of the foot. Achilles tendinitis pain is felt behind the heel (higher up, in the cord area between the calf and the heel).
The most common cause is suddenly increasing the duration or intensity of training (starting sports without warming up), running uphill too much, having flat feet entirely, or using old/unsupportive sports shoes. Additionally, decreased blood supply to the tendon due to aging, flat feet, and having overly tight (short) calf muscles increase the load on the tendon, leading to inflammation.
Stiffness and aching pain felt behind the heel, especially when first getting out of bed in the morning. The pain sharpening during running, climbing stairs, or rising on toes. Palpable swelling, thickening, and extreme tenderness to touch over the tendon. The pain subsides as it warms up but returns much more severely after training or the next day.
The orthopedic doctor's manual examination (pressing along the tendon to find the tender spot) usually confirms the diagnosis. An Ultrasound or Ankle MRI is taken to see micro-tears, calcifications, and edema inside the tendon. Yes, chronic and untreated tendinitis leads to structural sponginess (degeneration) of the tendon, causing it to completely snap (Achilles Rupture) during a sudden movement.
Because tendons have a poor blood supply, their healing is slow and requires patience.
1. RICE Protocol: The first step is to stop sports and apply Strict Rest, Ice, bandage, and elevate the foot. A 'Heel Elevator' placed inside the shoe instantly reduces the load by relaxing the tendon.
2. Physical Therapy and Stretching: Eccentric exercises that stretch the calf muscle are the backbone of the treatment.
3. Advanced Treatments (ESWT and PRP): Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), which triggers healing by pounding the tissue from the outside, and PRP injections, where growth factors taken from the patient's own blood are injected into the tendon, provide full recovery without surgery. (Warning: Cortisone injections are ABSOLUTELY NOT ADMINISTERED to the Achilles tendon, as it can cause the tendon to rupture instantly!).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
