Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon,
sometimes called the heel cord, which connects the calf muscles to the
heel bone.
What is going on in the body?
Achilles tendinitis is usually the result of an injury or tiny
tears in the tendon fibers. Two types exist:
insertional, where the tendon attaches to the heel bone
noninsertional, which occurs slightly higher up the tendon
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Multiple factors may cause Achilles tendinitis. The most
common is overuse of the tendon. Often, a sudden increase in training, running,
mileage, or speed will bring on symptoms. Pressure from the hard back
of an athletic shoe can irritate the tendon over the heel. Landing hard on
the arch of the foot may contribute to the strain on the Achilles tendon.
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