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. Signs and symptomsThe 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 toesTenderness over your Achilles tendonStiffness that lessens as your tendon warms upMild
swelling or a "bump" on your tendonA 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.