Achilles tendon, Achilles tendinitis.
Irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone.
You can have the issue further up the tendon (non insertional) or at the heel area (insertional) typically it takes longer to rehabilitate the insertional problem.
Achilles tendinitis can be caused by improper warm up or over training.
Treatment consists of ice, rest, sometimes anti inflammatory medications.
Gentle rehabilitation exercise can be prescribed by the Podiatrist alongside some supportive orthotics (insoles) to help the foot and tendon through the recovery period.
Chronic pain or any swelling should be professionally evaluated.
The Achilles itself is an interesting structure since it does not have a sheath around it, the sheath around a tendon has a blood supply. The. Achilles has a paratenon instead which does not have such a good supply of blood making recovery a longer process.
In function, the Achilles fires off like an elastic band being released and helps propel you forwards in walking and running.
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