Tendonitis Achilles: Symptoms and Causes

Tendonitis Achilles or Achilles Tendonitis is referred to as an inflammation of Achilles tendon. Such injury is found to be common in the younger people who are more into sports or athletics. However, it is also common for the people who are involved in sports. The treatment includes non-steroidal, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the physical therapy.

Achilles tendonitis is common among the professional athletes and the weekend athletes. However, it is even common among people not involved in the sports. It’s a ‘common overuse injury’, the treatment of which necessitate good amount of rest, physical therapy, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and avoiding all activities which can worsen the condition.

The common symptoms of Tendonitis Achilles include:

1. Difficulty in walking- severe pain which makes walking impossible.
2. Tenderness, swelling and warmth of Achilles tendon
3. Severe pain in the back of your heel.

Explaining tendons:

Tendon is described to a group of connective tissue which attaches muscle to the bone. Achilles tendon is considered the biggest tendon present in the body. It anchors the calf muscles to heel bone or ‘calcaneus’ and is considered significant because it permits you to lift your heel when you begin to walk. It also assists you to run, walk, and stand on the tiptoe.

The common causes of the Tendonitis Achilles include:

1. Footwear: Wearing the shoes with the minimal support while running or walking can improve the risk as can wearing the high heels.

2. Arthritis: The Achilles Tendonitis may be a part of the generalized inflammatory arthritis, like psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. In such conditions, both the tendons may be affected.

3. Obesity and overweight: Being overweight can place much more strain on several body parts.

4. Overuse injury: The overuse injury occurs when Achilles tendon is found to be stressed until it develops the small tears. The runners appear to be most vulnerable. People those who play sports which involve jumping, like basketball.

5. Foot problems: Some people with hyper-pronated or flat feet are prone to the Tendonitis Achilles. The flattened arch pulls on the calf muscles to keep the Achilles tendon under the tight strain. The steady mechanical stress on heel and the tendon can cause pain, inflammation and swelling of tendon. Being overweight may make problems worse.

6. Quinolone Antibiotics- This can in certain instances be linked with the inflammatory tenosynovitis and, if present, will be often bilateral (both Achilles) coming on soon after the exposure to drug.

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