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Podiatrify
Condition Library

Tendons

Achilles Tendinopathy

Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, often in runners.

Symptoms

  • Morning stiffness
  • Pain with running
  • Tendon thickening

Risk factors

  • Training errors
  • Calf weakness
  • Fluoroquinolone use
  • Age

What usually helps

  • Progressive calf loading
  • Pain-monitored activity
  • Heel lift in short term

When to see a podiatrist

If pain lasts more than two weeks or limits activity.

Warning signs

  • • Sudden pop with weakness (rupture)
Randomized controlled trialModerate EvidenceSports medicine

Continued Sports Activity, Using a Pain-Monitoring Model, During Rehabilitation in Patients with Achilles Tendinopathy

American Journal of Sports Medicine · 2007

Population
Patients with Achilles tendinopathy
Key result
Continuing activity under a pain-monitoring model did not appear to worsen outcomes compared with activity restriction.
Clinical relevance
Supports guided activity rather than complete rest.
Limitations
Modest sample size.

Podiatrify provides educational information and risk guidance and does not provide a medical diagnosis. Symptoms involving severe pain, rapidly spreading infection, black or blue tissue, major trauma, loss of circulation, or systemic illness may require urgent medical evaluation.