Very common with runners, Achilles tendinitis is an inflammatory response. The inflammatory response should be considered very limited because there is little blood supply to the tendon. Hence more appropriate description is the inflammation of the surrounding sheath, degeneration within the substance of the tendon or combination of two. This article provides an overview of this commonly occurring sports injury and its management.
Although the exact cause of tendinitis is not well understood, most commonly it occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It can also be associated with repetitive activities which overload the tendon structure, postural problems such as flat-foot or high-arched foot, or footwear. Sometimes, running on the uneven or excessively hard ground or running on a slanted surface can cause tendinitis. It is also common with…
