Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

MedBD
বাং
Community data Updated 4 weeks ago

Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy

muscle-bone-and-joints musculoskeletal
0 medicines 6 symptoms

This information may be useful if you have been diagnosed with achilles tendinopathy. If you have new or ongoing symptoms you should visit your healthcare professional for advice.

Read more about self-managing ankle problems

Achilles tendinopathy, sometimes known as tendinitis, is a condition that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling of the Achilles tendon, the tendon connecting your calf muscle to your heel.

Common Symptoms

Swelling pain that’s worse during or after moving or exercising stiffness that’s worse in the morning or after a period of rest tenderness to touch the affected area mild heat loss of movement and strength around the ankle and foot

⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.

💊

Medicines Commonly Used

⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.

No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.

Causes

What are the causes of Achilles tendinopathy?

Achilles tendinopathy can occur in both active and inactive people.

The causes can be varied but there are some common factors that are important.These can include:

  • a sudden or gradual change in load, for example changes in the level of exercise or taking up a new sport, beyond your normal levels of strength or endurance
  • spending a long time standing still
  • wearing unsuitable or poorly fitting footwear for the activities you’re doing
  • sedentary behaviour that can weaken your muscles and tendons over time
  • smoking
  • other health conditions such as being overweight, diabetes and inflammatory arthritis

How to manage Achilles tendinopathy

Managing Achilles tendinopathy can take time, in most cases several months or more.

Treatment

Pain management

Pain medication can help you move more comfortably, which can help manage your symptoms.

More about taking painkillers

Treating with heat or ice

Using heat or ice on your Achilles tendon can help reduce symptoms. Both heat and ice help reduce pain. You can use whichever feels most helpful for you.

Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect your skin from a heat or ice burn. Never place heat or ice directly on your skin. Apply for no longer than 20 minutes at a time and leave a few hours between treatments.

How to avoid hot water bottle burns and scalds – Care of Burns in Scotland

When to stop using heat or ice

You should stop treating the area with heat or ice if you notice an increase in redness, discolouration or blistering of the skin.

Read more about burns and scalds

If you have any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn’t use heat or ice as a treatment for ankle pain.

Achilles tendinopathy and movement

Achilles tendinopathy does not improve with rest, so, to help your recovery it’s important to keep up as much of your normal daily activity as you can. You may have to modify what you do, by taking breaks, doing less or changing activity.

When you see a healthcare professional they will give guidance on what exercise levels you should be aiming for.

If you’re waiting to see a healthcare professional you should be trying to do some exercise, this may cause some discomfort and short term pain that returns back to your normal level within a few hours.

Work

Achilles tendinopathy can sometimes mean you need to take some time off work to help recovery. How long you’re off will depend on your condition and your role at work.

You don’t need to be symptom free before you consider returning to work. Continuing to go to work, or returning to work as soon as is possible for you, will help your recovery.

Gradually getting back to your normal daily activities can help to build up your strength and stamina levels.

Help and support

Following this advice, you should see gradual improvements over time.

Talk to a healthcare professional if:

  • your symptoms haven’t improved within 12 weeks following this advice
  • your symptoms get worse

Find out about access to MSK services in your area.

When dealing with any health condition it’s important to also look after yourmental wellbeing. This can impact your recovery.

Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.