The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. This tendon helps with pushing off, walking, jumping and standing on tiptoes.

With Achilles tendinitis, the tendon is tender or irritated. Sometimes the tendon swells. The pain may be felt in the middle of the tendon or where it attaches to the heel bone.

These symptoms often involve irritation or strain of the Achilles tendon. The term ‘tendinitis’ is frequently used. This means inflammation of the tendon. However, Achilles tendon problems do not always involve actual inflammation.

Achilles tendon problems often arise when the tendon is subjected to more strain than it can cope with over a prolonged period. Irritation or strain can occur particularly during activities that place a lot of force on the calf and foot.

Possible causes include:

a lot of running or jumping;
a rapid increase in physical activity or exertion;
to stand or walk for a long time;
stiff or weak calf muscles;
an abnormal position of the foot;
the wrong shoes;
insufficient rest or recovery;
a previous injury;
additional strain on the tendon, for example due to being overweight.

Symptoms often begin with pain or stiffness on starting to move. The pain may ease slightly during movement but return after exertion.

You may notice that:

the Achilles tendon is painful to the touch;
Standing on tiptoes hurts;
the tendon feels thicker or warmer to the touch;
you feel stiff when you get up;
exercising or climbing stairs causes pain;
the pain returns after rest or after a training session.

If you suddenly feel unwell or find it difficult to stand up properly, please contact your GP straight away.

A healthy lifestyle supports the recovery of the Achilles tendon. Tendons become stronger through exercise, but they also need time to adapt. That is why it is important not to stop exercising altogether, but to build up the intensity gradually.

A good balance between exercise, training and rest helps to strengthen the tendon without overloading it. Getting enough sleep, a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy body weight can also aid recovery.

Mental health is also a factor. Achilles tendon problems can persist for a long time. This can be frustrating, especially if walking or exercising becomes more difficult. A clear and achievable plan helps to maintain progress towards recovery.

Our lifestyle coaches can work with you to explore how sufficient sleep, a healthy diet and a healthy body weight can be incorporated into your daily life in a practical way. When long-term symptoms cause a great deal of frustration, uncertainty or stress, our psychologists to provide support in coping with the mental effects of long-term pain.

There is a lot you can do yourself to alleviate Achilles tendon problems:

temporarily restrict activities that cause a lot of pain;
gentle training of the calf muscles;
temporarily reduce jumping and running;
wear sturdy shoes;
do not build up too quickly after a rest;
allow sufficient time for recovery between training sessions;
Contact us if you experience sudden sharp pain or loss of strength.

Our podiatrists We examine your foot position, gait and the strain on the Achilles tendon. We also look at footwear and the physical demands of sport.

Treatment may consist of:

shoe advice;
podiatric insoles;
temporary support with tape;
advice on building up fitness and recovery;
exercises for calf strength and stability;
collaboration with a physiotherapist.

Together, we’ll look at what’s needed to relieve the strain on the tendon and make it stronger.

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