Achilles Tendinopathy

What is Achilles Tendinopathy?

Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury affecting the Achilles tendon - the thick band of tissue connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. This condition involves degeneration and thickening of the tendon fibres, often accompanied by pain and stiffness that can significantly impact your daily activities and sporting performance.

Unlike acute injuries, Achilles tendinopathy develops gradually and represents a breakdown in the tendon's normal structure rather than inflammation alone - the reason it is now more commonly referred to as tendinopathy, rather than tendinitis, which more refers to inflammation.

What Causes Achilles Tendinopathy?

Several factors can contribute to the development of Achilles tendinopathy:

Training-related factors:

  • Sudden increases in training intensity or volume

  • Repetitive loading activities (running, jumping sports)

  • Poor training surface or inappropriate footwear

  • Inadequate recovery between training sessions

Biomechanical factors:

  • Altered foot mechanics or gait patterns

  • Calf muscle tightness or weakness

  • Poor ankle mobility

  • Leg length discrepancies

Individual risk factors:

  • Previous Achilles injuries

  • Age-related tendon changes (typically 30-50 years)

  • Certain medications (fluoroquinolone antibiotics)

  • Metabolic conditions affecting tendon health

What Are the Symptoms?

Achilles tendinopathy typically presents with:

Primary symptoms:

  • Gradual onset of pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon

  • Morning stiffness that improves with gentle movement

  • Pain that worsens with activity, particularly running or jumping

  • Tenderness when pressing on the tendon

Progressive symptoms:

  • Thickening or swelling of the tendon

  • Reduced performance in sports or exercise

  • Pain during everyday activities like walking upstairs

  • Stiffness after periods of rest

Warning signs: If you experience sudden, severe pain or complete loss of function, seek immediate medical attention as this may indicate a tendon rupture.

Experiencing Achilles pain or stiffness? Our specialist sports physiotherapy team has extensive experience treating tendon injuries in athletes of all levels. We provide comprehensive assessment, targeted treatment programmes, and performance-focused rehabilitation to get you back to your best.