Achilles tendon pain is a common complaint among sports people such as runners who repeatedly load the tendon during activity. Broadly speaking the tendon can be painful due to ‘tendinitis’ (meaning inflammation) or tendinosis (degenerative changes). It is a frequent cause of calf and heel pain. Tendinitis is characterised by the signs of inflammation which include redness, heat, swelling and pain. Achilles tendinosis is usually characterised by degeneration of the achilles tendon (situated above the heel to form the lower part of the calf muscles). Achilles tendinosis is a breakdown in the tendon, with structural changes occurring within the tendon without an inflammatory response. This degeneration means that the tendon does not possess its normal strength and may be liable to further injury with continued sporting activity.
