Achilles tendinitis refers to the inflammation of your Achilles tendon, which results in pain, swelling and tenderness in your lower leg. Running is a common cause of the condition and can prevent you from running if your condition is severe enough. Achilles tendinitis usually responds well to treatment, however, and you will be able to run again once your leg heals.
Definition
Your Achilles tendon is a strong band of tissue found in your lower leg that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. When the tendon becomes inflamed and irritated, you have Achilles tendinitis. The most common symptom is mild pain in your lower leg when running or performing physical activity. The pain can become severe during intense or prolonged exercise. You may also experience swelling and tenderness in the area, as well as weakness in your lower leg.
Causes
When you walk, run, jump or push up on your toes, you are using your Achilles tendon. Any activity that involves repeating these motions excessively or puts intense strain on your lower leg muscles can cause Achilles tendinitis. Other factors that can contribute to the condition include poor flexibility in your calf muscle, not warming up before exercise, wearing inappropriate shoes, naturally flat feet and traumatic injuries to the tendon.
Running
Running is a main cause of Achilles tendinitis. If you believe you are suffering from the condition or are experiencing pain, you should discontinue running and treat your condition. Only resume once your Achilles is feeling better.
If your tendinitis is under control and you are able to run, you should avoid certain running conditions that can aggravate your symptoms. These include rapidly increasing distance or speed, hill or stair running, running on hard or uneven surfaces and wearing worn out or inappropriate running shoes.
Treatment
According to MayoClinic.com, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of treatments, including self-care, pain medication, stretching and exercises. Self-care involves rest, applying ice, compression of your leg with wraps or bandages and elevating your leg to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, can help alleviate the pain. Stretching and exercise can both help the healing process and prevent symptoms from recurring.
If these steps do not help, more extreme treatments--such as orthotic devices, corticosteroid injections and surgery--may be necessary.
Prevention
You cannot entirely prevent Achilles tendinitis from occurring. You can, however help to reduce your risk. Increase the intensity and duration your exercise regimen gradually. Wear the proper shoes for whatever activity you are participating in. Stretch your calf muscles before and after exercise to maintain flexibility.
