Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Achilles Tendonitis.
A painful and often debilitating inflammation of the Achilles tendon (heel cord).
The achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. It is located
in the back of the lower leg, attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus), and connects
the leg muscles to the foot.
The achilles tendon does not have good blood supply or cell activity, so injury can
be slow to heal.
The tendon receives nutrients from the tendon sheath or paratendon. When an injury
occurs to the tendon, cells from surrounding structures migrate into the tendon to
assist in repair.
Achilles tendonitis is sometimes confused with Achilles tendinosis. Achilles tendinosis
is a common chronic problem that is characterised by microscopic tears of the Achilles
tendon. Achilles tendinosis is a different condition that is not characterised by
inflammation.
The main symptom associated with Achilles tendonitis is pain behind the heel which
is often most prominent in an area above where the tendon attaches to the heel.
People with Achilles tendonitis usually experience the most significant pain after
periods of inactivity and tend to experience pain after first walking in the morning
and when getting up after sitting for long periods of time.
People will also experience pain while participating in activities, such as when
running or jumping and the pain associated with exercise is most significant when
pushing off or jumping.
