Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon (also called the heel cord) is an extension of the two muscles in the back of the leg—the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. It is considered the largest and strongest tendon in the body. One of the most common injuries to this tendon is tendonitis, due to excessive strain or continuous pressure on the area.

Tendonitis can cause persistent pain and may affect physical activities like running or jumping. Symptoms of Achilles tendon injury include:

• Pain in the tendon area, increasing during physical activities like climbing stairs or running.
• Feeling stiffness in the foot, especially when getting up from sleep.
• Swelling in the area in chronic cases.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of injury can be categorized into factors we can control, such as excessive training and wrong choices in footwear for exercises, and factors we can’t control, like age (as the tendon weakens with age) and genetic factors.
Treatment for Achilles tendonitis depends on the stage and type of injury. Successful treatment often involves comprehensive rehabilitation focused on gradual loading, overseen by a physical therapist, considering other aspects aiding recovery like nutrition, proper habits, and other factors.