For the ANSWERS – click on the BLUE TEXT LINKS

1. Have I got an Achilles Tendonitis Injury?

What are the symptoms of Acute and Chronic Achilles Tendonitis. What is the difference between Insertional and Mid-Tendon Achilles Tendon Injuries?  These Videos will help you decide.
Click Do I Have an Achilles Tendonitis Injury?

2. Painful Achilles Tendon – How do I get rid of the pain?

How you get rid of Painful Achilles Tendons depends on how recent the injury is.
Advice is given for Acute Achilles Tendonitis including what activities to substitute for running, how to apply an Ice Block massage. Different advice is given for Chronic Achilles Tendinosis.
Click Painful Achilles Tendon – How do I get rid of the pain?

3. When can I get back to running with Achilles Tendon Problems?

How long have you had the pain in your Achilles? Less than 4 weeks? More than 4 weeks?
Have you had the Achilles pain before? Can you do 3 sets of 15 reps of the Eccentric Calf Exercise and be pain-free?
Your answers to all these questions are important…. 
Click When Can I Start Back Running with Achilles Tendon Problems?

4. Do I need to change the way I run or my running shoes?

New Running Style for Achilles Tendonitis? Does your running style predispose you to Achilles Tendon injury? Find out here by watching a cool video analysis of before and after re-training.
New Running Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis? It is recommended that you change your shoes every 300 to 500 miles. If your shoes are past this mileage they may not be providing the support and control that they did initially. It may also be that the shoes you currently use are not best suited to your foot type and style of running.
Click Do I need to change the way I run or my running shoes?

5. Will rest cure Achilles Tendonitis or do I need surgery?

My advice for what it’s worth would be to not undergo surgery until you have completed at least 8 weeks of Eccentric Calf Exercises and show no lasting signs of recovery. But read the article and make our own mind up!
Click Will rest cure Achilles Tendonitis or do I need surgery?

6. What is Achilles Tendonitis?  

Achilles Tendonitis (or its other spelling – Achilles Tendinitis) is an acute flare up of tissues around the tendon.
It is not that common! It is short lasting – only a few days.
Achilles Tendinosis however is a very common injury. It is a chronic degenerative condition lasting for ever!
It’s a bit like a puppy – not just for Christmas but for LIFE!
Click What is Achilles Tendonitis?

7. What treatment options have I for Achilles Tendonitis pain?

DIY Injury Rehab, Physiotherapy, Orthotics, Injections, Shockwave Therapy and Surgery are all discussed.
Click Achilles Tendonitis Treatment Options

8. Why do I have a painful swelling in my Achilles Tendon?

With Achilles Peritendonitis / Peritendinitis / Paratenonitis it is the tissues immediately surrounding the Achilles Tendon that become inflamed. With Achilles Tendinosis there may still be thickening of the tissues surrounding the tendon but in addition there are areas of local breakdown of the internal structure of the actual tendon itself. This can produce lumps or nodules that can be felt through the skin.
Click Lump on Achilles Tendon

9. How did I get Achilles Tendonitis?

Classically the main causes are associated with overuse. Other factors that can predispose a runner to Achilles Tendonitis problems are discussed.
As are Medical conditions associated with an increased risk of Achilles Tendonitis.
Who gets Non-Insertional Achilles Tendonitis and Insertional Achilles Tendonitis?
Click Causes of Achilles Tendonitis

10. How do I stop it coming back?

Achilles Peritendonitis /Peritendinitis / Paratenonitis

With Achilles Peritendonitis / Peritendinitis / Paratenonitis it is the tissues immediately surrounding the Achilles Tendon that become inflamed. Inflammation of these structures leads to swelling in the paratenon and the movement of the tendon in this fluid filled lining gives rise to the creaking or crepitus.
When this inflammation becomes chronic there is fibrosis of these tissues lying close to the tendon which is why the area feels thickened.
The tendon feels painful to squeezing and thickened to the touch but there is no lump which moves as you pinch the tendon and move the ankle. Check the video.

Non-Insertional Tendinitis / Tendinosis

With this condition there may still be thickening of the tissues surrounding the tendon but in addition there are areas of local breakdown of the internal structure of the actual tendon itself. There are different types of degeneration that can take place in the tendon but they all lead to local thickening in the body of the tendon. This can produce lumps or nodules that can be felt through the skin – see video above. Because these lumps are in the tendon then they move when you move your ankle – you can feel the lump moving between your fingers.

If you have most of these symptoms then you almost certainly have Achilles Tendonitis Injury / Tendinopathy.
There are a few other problems such as sciatica and local nerve irritation that may give you similar pain but you will not get the localised swelling in the tendon.

There is one other type of Achilles Tendinosis that does not produce a thickened Achilles Tendon

Insertional Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinosis

To return to “YOUR TOP 10 QUESTIONS ANSWERED” – Click Here