ACHILLES TENDINITIS
Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that occurs when the large tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg becomes irritated and inflamed.
Put simply, tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or disease, and often causes swelling, pain, or irritation.
The Achilles Tendon is the largest tendon in the body and is put under exertion whenever we move. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on your tip toes. Although the Achilles tendon can withstand great stresses from running and jumping, it is also prone to tendinitis, a condition associated with overuse and degeneration.
There are a wide variety of symptoms including pain, stiffness, a bone spur, swelling, etc. You might also face a severe limitation in your range of motion.
While painful, an array of non-surgical interventions including medication and lifestyle changes can cure this condition. In severe cases, surgery is always option.
TYPES
There are two major types of this condition depending upon where the issue is.
Noninsertional
In noninsertional Achilles tendinitis, fibers in the middle portion of the tendon have begun to break down with tiny tears (degenerate), swell, and thicken.
Tendinitis of the middle portion of the tendon more commonly affects younger, active people.
Insertional
Insertional Achilles tendinitis involves the lower portion of the heel, where the tendon attaches (inserts) to the heel bone.
Tendinitis that affects the insertion of the tendon can occur at any time, even in patients who are not active. More often than not, however, it comes from years of overuse