Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel bone.
Pain in the lower calf, near the back of your heal is one of the first warning signs that you may have an inflamed Achilles tendon.
If you have experienced a sudden “pop” in the back of your calf or heel, you may have ruptured (torn) your Achilles tendon. See your doctor right away if you think you may have torn your tendon.
Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It’s also common in middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis or basketball, without much frequency.
Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:
- Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon, often most severe in the morning
- Pain along the tendon or back of the heel,worsening with activity
- Severe pain the day after exercising
- Thickening of the tendon
- Bone spur (also referred to as insertional tendinitis)
- Constant swelling that gets worse throughout the day with activity