Achilles Tendinitis: What’s Causing That Pain Behind Your Heel?
If you’ve noticed pain or stiffness along the back of your heel, especially when you first get up in the morning or start moving after sitting for a while, your Achilles tendon may be the culprit.
Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury that affects the large tendon connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. While it’s especially common among runners and athletes, you don’t have to be a serious athlete to develop Achilles pain. Walking, hiking, recreational sports, changes in activity level, and even everyday wear and tear can irritate the tendon.
What Does Achilles Tendinitis Feel Like?
Achilles tendinitis often develops gradually rather than from one specific injury. Common symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness along the back of the heel or lower leg
- Stiffness that may be worse first thing in the morning
- Pain when walking, running, or climbing stairs
- Swelling around the Achilles tendon
- Thickening of the tendon
- Pain that increases during or after physical activity
- Tenderness when the area is touched
Some people notice only mild discomfort at first and assume it will go away on its own. That can be a mistake, especially if you continue the activity that is irritating the tendon.
What Causes Achilles Tendinitis?
The Achilles tendon handles a significant amount of force during walking and running. Problems often develop when the tendon is repeatedly stressed without enough time to recover.
Several factors can contribute, including:
- Suddenly increasing running or exercise mileage
- Starting a new workout or sport
- Tight calf muscles
- Inadequate warm-up
- Worn-out or poorly fitting athletic shoes
- Running on hills or uneven surfaces
- Changes in running surface or training routine
- Repetitive stress from sports and physical activity
Age can also play a role because tendons naturally become less flexible over time.
You Don’t Have to Be a Runner
Although Achilles tendinitis is frequently associated with running, we also see Achilles problems in people who simply become more active than usual.
Maybe you started walking every morning, played several rounds of pickleball, spent the weekend hiking, increased your time at the gym, or decided to tackle a new exercise program.
Any sudden increase in activity can place additional stress on the Achilles tendon.
Can You Exercise With Achilles Tendinitis?
This is where many people get themselves into trouble.
If your Achilles tendon hurts, trying to “run through it” isn’t a good strategy. Continuing to repeatedly stress an irritated tendon can make the condition more difficult to treat and may increase the risk of a more serious tendon injury.
That doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to stop all physical activity. The appropriate level of activity depends on the severity and cause of your symptoms.
A podiatrist can evaluate the tendon and help determine which activities are safe while it heals.
How Is Achilles Tendinitis Treated?
Treatment depends on how severe the injury is and how long you've been experiencing symptoms.
Conservative treatment may include:
- Temporarily modifying activities
- Ice
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Physical therapy
- Supportive footwear
- Heel lifts or orthotics when appropriate
- Medication to help manage pain or inflammation when medically appropriate
More persistent Achilles problems may require additional treatment.
The important part is determining why the tendon is irritated in the first place so treatment addresses the underlying cause rather than simply masking the pain.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
It's a good idea to have Achilles pain evaluated if:
- The pain isn't improving
- Symptoms keep returning
- You have swelling or noticeable thickening of the tendon
- Pain is affecting your ability to walk or exercise
- You felt a sudden pop or sharp pain in the back of the ankle
Sudden severe pain, particularly with a popping sensation or difficulty pushing off the foot, could indicate an Achilles tendon tear or rupture and should be evaluated promptly.
Get Back to the Activities You Enjoy
Heel and ankle pain shouldn't become something you simply learn to live with.
At Sol Foot & Ankle Centers, Dr. Richard Graves has extensive experience evaluating and treating running injuries, sports-related foot and ankle problems, and Achilles tendon conditions.
Whether you're a competitive runner, weekend athlete, daily walker, or simply want to stay active without pain, identifying the cause of your Achilles symptoms is the first step toward getting you comfortably moving again.
Experiencing pain behind your heel? Schedule an appointment with Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Long Beach today.
