Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Tendinitis / Tendinopathy is one of the most common conditions we treat and our team have helped many people overcome their Achilles Tendon problems, allowing them to return to the movement and activities they love.

Common causes

Change in activities or training load

• New dynamic activities like running, jumping or hill walking can often aggravate achilles tendons
• Spikes or quick increases in training load

Flat or High Arched Feet

• In patients with chronic achilles tendon pain there may be a mechanical issues with their foot function that is causing the achilles tendon to continually flare

Trauma

• Ankle sprains and other trauma injuries such as breaks and fractures can sometimes increase the likelihood of developing a tendon injury

Medications

• Certain medications have been show to increase the risk of tendon pain, and even tendon rupture.

As “overuse” disorders, Achilles tendon problems are usually caused by a sudden increase of a repetitive activity involving the Achilles tendon (such as running, jumping & hill walking) Such activity can put too much stress on the tendon too quickly, leading to micro-injury of the tendon fibres. Due to this ongoing stress on the tendon, the body is unable to repair the injured tissue. The structure of the tendon can then be altered, resulting in continued pain.

Common symptoms

• Pain
• Aching in the mid-portion of the tendon or at the heel (enthesis)
• Stiffness in the morning and when starting exercise
• Thickening or ‘nodulation’ of the tendon
• Pain worse with running or walking up-hill
• Tenderness on touching or squeezing of the tendon

Achilles Tendinopathy Treatments & Services