Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy is an overuse injury that is very common in sports such as running and jumping. Achilles tendinopathy involves the achilles tendon, the band of tough fibres that connect the calf muscles to the heel bone. The fundamental function is to help absorb the ground reaction forces when the foot makes contact and to help you pull the heel off the ground to propel forward.
Symptoms
Achilles tendinopathy commonly begins with a mild ache/ burning sensation in the lower ⅓ of the leg at the start or end of exercise. Increased pain and severity will occur after high intensity running, stair climbing or sprinting.
Pain, stiffness and loss of strength is commonly experienced in the morning, which can improve with movement. Depending on the degree of injury, it will often have a painful and prominent lump within the tendon.
Treatment
Treatment traditionally will look at a combination of modifying your activity levels, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, strength and conditioning program and footwear assessment with potential for orthotics if they are required or simply a heel lift. Imaging is rarely required; however in some cases ultrasound or MRI may be recommended.