Achilles
tendinitis is an injury that occurs when your Achilles tendon — the
large band of tissues connecting the muscles
in the back of your lower leg to
your heel bone — becomes inflamed or irritated. Also called the heel cord, the
Achilles tendon is used when you walk, run, jump, or push up on your toes. Achilles
tendinitis often results from sports that place a lot of stress on your calf
muscles and Achilles tendon, such as basketball. It also is often associated
with a sudden increase in the intensity or frequency of exercise. So, if you''ve
started on a new exercise kick and you''re pushing yourself too quickly, you may
be at risk of developing Achilles tendinitis. When treated promptly, Achilles
tendinitis is often short-lived. Left untreated, Achilles tendinitis could
cause persistent pain or cause the tendon to tear (rupture). If so, you may
need surgery to correct the damage. Fortunately, rest and over-the-counter
medications to reduce the pain and inflammation may be all the treatment you
need for Achilles tendinitis. The signs and symptoms of Achilles tendinitis
often develop gradually. They include: Dull ache or pain when pushing off your
foot during walking or when rising on your toes, Tenderness over your Achilles
tendon, Stiffness that lessens as your tendon warms up, Mild swelling or a
"bump" on your tendon, A crackling or creaking sound when you touch
or move your Achilles tendon. You may notice that the affected tendon is sore
when you get up in the morning or after you''ve rested, improves slightly once
you start moving around, and then worsens again when you increase your activity
level. If you have sudden pain and swelling near your heel and are unable to
bend your foot downward or walk normally, you may have
ruptured your Achilles
tendon. If you''ve ruptured the tendon completely, you won''t be able to rise on
your toes on the injured leg. You may feel as if you''ve been kicked in the back
of your ankle. See your doctor immediately if you suspect you have an Achilles
tendon rupture.