Achilles Tendinopathy

What is Achilles Tendinitis / Achilles Tendinopathy?

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy is pain at the heel bone.

Mid portion Achilles Tendinopathy is 2-6cm above the heel bone and sometimes you can see and feel a swollen area.

This can be a debilitating problem for any athlete or active person. It often develops from overuse, leading to tiny tears and weakening over time, rather than just simple inflammation. Often the pain is most severe when first getting out of bed in the morning.

Any sports which involve running or jumping can cause Achilles tendonitis, such as the weekend warrior runner or playing sports such as football, tennis and or volleyball, although is may also occur through simple fitness walking.

If you’re feeling persistent heel pain, know that it’s common and treatable with the right care.

Causes of Achilles Tendinopathy

This issue usually stems from repeated strain on the tendon, such as:

• Suddenly ramping up exercise.
• Explosive movements like basket ball, tennis, soccer and ultimate frisbee involving quick starts and stops.
• Wearing unsupportive shoes.
• Training on hard or uneven surfaces.
• Having tight calf muscles that pull too hard.
• Weakness in calf muscles.
• Stiffness in foot joints.

Other risk factors include:

• Age-related wear (more common in men aged 30 – 50).
• Extra body weight adding pressure
• Conditions like diabetes that affect healing.
• Biomechanical issues like flat feet or improper gait.
• With underlying degenerative change it can be as simple as stepping off a curb awkwardly.

Understanding the trigger helps in preventing it from coming back.

Treatment for Achilles Tendinitis

At Buderim Foot & Ankle, we offer gentle, personalized options to ease your discomfort, promote healing and prevent recurrence:

• Rest from aggravating sporting activities
• Exercise prescription with guided stretches and strengthening routines to rebuild resilience safely.
• Gait and running assessments to spot and correct movement patterns that contribute to the problem.
• Footwear assessments and modifications to ensure your shoes provide the right cushioning and fit.
• Strapping for immediate support and stability during daily activities.
• Custom orthotics to support your foot’s natural alignment and reduce strain.
• Shockwave therapy, a non-invasive treatment using sound waves to stimulate healing.
• Dry needling to release tight spots in surrounding muscles.
• Autologous blood injection

Many people see improvement with these conservative approaches. If the damage to the tendon is too severe to find relief from pain with conservative methods, surgery may be considered.

When to see a Podiatrist

If your heel pain lingers more than a few days, disrupts sleep, or doesn’t improve with rest, it’s wise to consult a podiatrist. Early help can prevent complications like tendon rupture, and we’re here to listen, explain, and guide you back to comfort.