Achilles Tendonitis

In this blog post, Cypress Foot and Ankle specialist Dr. Christopher Correa discusses Achilles Tendonitis as a source of Posterior Heel Pain and possible warning signs of incipient Achilles tendon rupture. The Achilles Tendon is the largest in the human body and runs from your calf muscle to the back of your heel. Due to the tremendous strain this tendon must endure during daily and athletic activities, it can often become strained and inflamed, causing a condition called Achilles Tendonitis.

Signs of Achilles problems include

• Pain at the posterior heel that is aggravated with activity and relieved by rest.

• Pain that appears to be worse after periods of rest, especially with the first step out of bed in the morning.

• Pain when pressure is applied directly to the posterior heel or calf.

• Tearing or popping sensation.

• A sensation of weakness in the calf.

• Long-standing swelling or a palpable lump within the tendon that may or may not be tender to the touch.

Long-standing and untreated Achilles tendonitis is often associated with a large posterior heel spur and a tight calf muscle (equinus). As this spur grows, it can fracture over time and lead to persistent pain. For a more complete discussion on posterior heel spurs, click here. Untreated prolonged Achilles tendonitis can precede an Achilles Tendon rupture, but pain is not always present. Rupture of the Achilles tendon is accompanied by a large popping sensation, causing some people to believe they have been kicked or struck in the back of the leg. These are usually noncontact injuries and occur when a sudden forceful contraction of the calf muscle occurs, such as when stepping in a hole, jumping, or making a quick change in direction (cutting). In spite of the rupture, the patient can sometimes walk immediately after this injury and, due to compensatory actions of neighboring tendons, may still have some motion at the ankle, but it will be markedly weaker. This will almost universally be accompanied with bruise and a great deal of swelling. If you believe you have suffered an Achilles Tendon rupture, you must follow up with your podiatrist without delay.