Your Achilles tendon is on the back of your ankle and attaches your calf muscles to your heel. Running with tight calf muscles, overtraining and running on hard surfaces can cause pain and injury to your Achilles tendon. Initial treatment includes rest, ice and anti-inflammatory drugs. Consult your doctor about additional treatment options.
Causes
Tight calf muscles pull on your Achilles tendon during running, which can cause the tendon tear. It also might cause inflammation and deterioration of the tendon, which is called Achilles tendinitis. Ignoring your Achilles tendon pain may eventually lead to thickening and weakening of your tendon. Research published in 2009 in the “Journal of Applied Physiology” found that a thicker and weaker Achilles tendon takes longer to heal and increases your risk of an Achilles tendon rupture.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors for Achilles tendon injuries and pain include flat feet, high arches, worn running shoes and a previous Achilles tendon injury. A 2002 “American Family Physician” article reports that poor blood supply to your Achilles tendon also makes it susceptible to injury. An inadequate warm-up prior to running, running in cold weather and increasing your running pace too quickly can contribute to Achilles tendon pain too. Additional risk factors include your age, weight, height and gender.
Symptoms
Pain associated with Achilles tendon tears and tendinitis may be described as achy, stabbing or sore. Additional symptoms include ankle stiffness, swelling and crepitus, which is crackling felt over your Achilles tendon. Your tendon may be warm to the touch and show signs of redness due to inflammation. A torn Achilles tendon may also cause deformity and bruising, depending on the severity of the tear.
Treatment
Initial treatment for an Achilles tendon tear and tendinitis includes rest, ice, compression and elevation of your foot and ankle to reduce pain and swelling. Take anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to further alleviate pain. For tendinitis, gently stretch your calf and Achilles tendon to improve the ankle's mobility and decrease pain. Additional treatments to discuss with your doctor include corticosteroid injections, orthotics, physical therapy and surgery.
Prevention
Stretch before and after running to maintain normal flexibility in your calf, Achilles tendon, ankle and foot. Wear running shoes that are well-cushioned and provide sufficient arch support. Slowly increase your running pace and mileage with no more than a 10-percent increase each week. Include at least one rest day a week to prevent overtraining and Achilles tendon pain. Also consult your coach or other fitness professional about improving your running technique to reduce the strain on your calf muscles and Achilles tendon.
References
- “Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine”; Achilles Tendinopathy: Aetiology and Management; Nicola Maffulli M.D., et al.; 2004
- “American Family Physician”; Common Conditions of the Achilles Tendon; Michael F. Mazzone, M.D., et al.; May 1, 2002
- “Journal of Applied Physiology”; Tendinopathy Alters Mechanical and Material Properties of the Achilles Tendon; Shruti Arya, et al.; November 5, 2009
