Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles Tendon is the most vulnerable tendon in the whole body. It joins the gastrocnemius (calf) and soleus muscles. Tendons are strong, but they aren't very flexible, so they can only go so far before they get inflamed or they tear.

Achilles tendonitis is a chronic injury that comes primarily from overuse. It tends to come on gradually, until it gets to the point that it is too painful to do sports, or even normal daily activities like walking, or getting in the car. The biggest cause of chronic Achilles Tendonitis is ignoring the early signs and pushing through the pain. Another major case is weak calf muscles. If the muscle is weak, it becomes fatigued and it will tighten and shorten. The tightness will increase the stress on the Achilles, and tendonitis can occur. Sudden increases in training, hill climbing, or a lot of speedwork can also lead to Achilles Tendonitis.

At the first sign of pain from the Achilles, the athlete should cut back. Stop speed training, hill running, etc. Begin gentle calf stretching after exercise when the tendon is still warm and flexible, and put ice on the ankle after workouts. Be careful though, not to overstretch. Strengthening the muscle leads to less stress placed on the tendon. Cross-training can also be done while reducing the amount of work done every day. Toe raising, balancing on the toes and wall stretching can also be beneficial.