Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy, which some people call tendinitis, is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the Achilles tendon. This is the tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel.

Symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy differ from one person to another, and they can come on slowly or all at once.

People may notice:

• 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 when the affected area is touched
• mild heat
• loss of movement and strength around the ankle and foot

You may have just one of these symptoms, or several together.

Achilles tendinopathy can affect people who are active and people who are not. The causes vary, but a few common factors come up again and again. 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

Getting better from Achilles tendinopathy can take time. In most cases it's several months or more.

Painkillers can help you move more comfortably when you have Achilles tendinopathy, and that in turn can help keep your symptoms under control.

Heat or ice on your Achilles tendon can help reduce symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy. Both heat and ice help reduce pain, so use whichever feels most helpful for you.

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

Stop using heat or ice on the area if you notice the skin getting redder, changing colour or starting to blister.

Read more about burns and scalds

If you have any problem with circulation or sensation, don't use heat or ice to treat ankle pain.

Achilles tendinopathy doesn't get better with rest. So to help your recovery, try to keep up as much of your normal daily activity as you can. You may need to change how you do things, by taking breaks, doing less or switching to a different activity.

When you see a doctor, they will tell you what level of exercise you should be aiming for.

If you're waiting to see a doctor, you should still try to do some exercise. It may cause some discomfort and short-term pain, but this should settle back to your normal level within a few hours.

With Achilles tendinopathy, you may sometimes need to take some time off work so that you can recover. How long you stay off depends on your condition and on the kind of work you do.

You don't have to be free of symptoms before you think about going back. Carrying on with work, or returning as soon as you can manage it, will help your recovery.

Getting back to your normal daily activities bit by bit can also help you build up your strength and stamina.

You should see gradual improvement over time if you follow this advice.

Talk to a doctor if:

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

Find out about access to MSK services in your area.

With any health condition, it's important to look after your mental wellbeing too, because it can affect your recovery.

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