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Achilles tendinitis is a painful and often debilitating inflammation of the Achilles tendon, also called the heel cord. This large tendon is an extension of the two calf muscles; it runs down the back of the lower leg and attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus). Achilles tendinitis is often an ailment of athletes but women who wear high-heeled shoes and switch to sneakers for exercise also can develop Achilles tendinitis. The inflammation that characterizes tendinitis reflects tearing of the tendon tissues caused by excessive stress. The problem may be caused by a single incident of over-stressing the Achilles (such as failing to stretch or "warm up" sufficiently before exercising) or it may result from an accumulation of smaller stresses that produce numerous small tears over time. The injury may occur at the point where the tendon attaches to the heel or at any point along the length of the tendon. This condition is common in the "weekend warrior" who exercises infrequently, and those who are just starting to exercise. In these people, the muscles and tendon have little flexibility because of inactivity. Overdoing exercise in the beginning can cause tendinitis because the muscles are not flexible enough to withstand the new forces being placed upon them. It is especially important for people who are just starting to exercise to stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually. If pain develops even with proper stretching and training techniques, you should contact your health care provider.
Thank you for your question! Mark Slovenkai, MD, Othopedic Surgeon
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