Foot Pain – Achilles Tendonitis

Becky WatsonNovember 21, 2022

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bone to the calf muscles, is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body. Its main function is to point the foot down, making it an integral part of activities such as walking, running, jumping, and climbing.

Achilles tendonitis or tendinopathy is a common injury that occurs due to the overuse of the Achilles tendon, leading to damage of the tendon.

Achilles Tendonitis - Foot Pain

The first sign of Achilles tendonitis is usually a mild, sharp pain or ache at the back of the heel after engaging in high-impact activities like running. Running can cause pain and swelling along the tendon, which typically worsens over time. Stiffness and tenderness may make it difficult to flex the foot up resulting in tightness of the tendon and a reduced range of motion.

If inflammation is present in the foot, the heel may feel warm to the touch and heel spurs (bony lumps) can form at the back.

A complete tear or rupture of the Achilles tendon can cause sudden pain in the heel or calf, difficulty bearing weight on the leg, and there may be an audible popping or snapping sound.

Although the tendon can cope with a large amount of stress there are some risk factors that put it at a higher risk of damage. Men are more likely to injure their achilles tendon and the potential for injury increases with age. A flat or overly pronated foot puts additional stretch and stress on the tendon increasing the likelihood of injury or damage. As with most foot and ankle issues being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of problems.

High-impact sports and activities increase the stress on the achilles and the risk of these activities causing damage is increased if poor footwear or equipment is used, inadequate training or poor technique is employed, a sudden increase in the intensity of activity or activity is on hard or uneven ground.

Tight calf muscles also put extra stress on the achilles tendon particularly where it inserts into the heel. Finally, a Haglund’s deformity where there is a bump of overgrown bone at the back of the heel can irritate the achilles tendon causing inflammation and pain.

Wearing footwear with firm arch support and heel cushion can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon, minimizing the risk of Achilles tendonitis and easing symptoms. AWP recovery shoes are a great choice for post-workout, while the Dynamic works well for people who are on their feet all day. The increased heel height, shock absorption in the heel, and arch support help to limit stress and strain on the Achilles tendon.

The insoles we recommend for achilles tendonitis are: PRIMO (1), POSA (2), PELUCHE (3), PURA (5) or PRECISO (6).

Would you like to know more about common foot pain problems before making a choice? You may find one of the following blog articles useful:

Achilles Tendonitis Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Achilles Tendonitis?’ blog to find out more.

Bunions Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Bunions?’ blog to find out more.

Diabetic Neuropathy Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Diabetic Neuropathy?’ blog to find out more.

Fallen Arches Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Fallen Arches?’ blog to find out more.

Hammer Toes Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Hammer Toes?’ blog to find out more.

Heel Spurs Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Heel Spurs?’ blog to find out more.

Metatarsalgia Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Metatarsalgia?’ blog to find out more.

Osteoarthritis Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Osteoarthritis?’ blog to find out more.

Pes Cavus Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Pes Cavus?’ blog to find out more.

Plantar Fasciitis Click here to read our ‘Foot Pain – Plantar Fasciitis?’ blog to find out more.