Acute Achilles tendonitis, or tendinitis, is a painful condition that can cause discomfort and limited physical activity. The Achilles tendon is a large, fibrous band that connects the calf muscles to the heel. This allows the contraction of the calf muscles to cause the foot to plantar-flex, or move the foot downward. Achilles tendinitis results from injury or overuse. According to the Mayo Clinic, Achilles tendinitis is a fairly benign medical condition and can be treated with rest and over-the-counter medications. However, if your symptoms become unbearable, seek medical treatment from your doctor.
Swelling
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Achilles tendinitis involves swelling. This occurs because overuse or injury to this large tendon causes your body to send chemical signals to the area that is irritated. Among many other processes, these chemical signals increase the amount of fluid in the area, which results in swelling.
Pain
Pain is a common symptom of acute Achilles tendinitis. The pain is usually dull and can be localized or widespread. The AAOS reports that pain increases after exercise or running. In addition, any exercise that requires standing on your toes will increase pain. If you are experiencing morning pain about an inch and a half above your heel bone, you may have acute Achilles tendinitis, according to the AAOS.
Stiffness
The Achilles tendon is prone to become stiff when irritated, according to the AAOS. This occurs because swelling causes the tendon to shorten slightly and become less flexible. In addition, the tendon may be stiff because of decreased use. The AAOS reports that stiffness may improve with an increase in physical activity or movement. This includes light walking, biking and stretching. If you are playing a sport or performing intense exercise, warm up before the activity to prevent a flareup. However, only perform physical activity if you are not experiencing pain, and only exercise as much as you can tolerate.
