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Heel tendon injury
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Damage to the Achilles tendon includes inflammation of the loose tissue surrounding the tendon, partial or complete ruptures.
The calf muscle attaches to the heel bone via the Achilles tendon. When you run, the calf muscle helps lift your feet off the ground. The repeated force on the tendon during running, coupled with insufficient recovery time, can initially cause inflammation of the tissue surrounding the tendon (the fatty tissue that separates the Achilles tendon and its sheath). A complete rupture of the Achilles tendon is a serious injury and is usually caused by a sudden, forceful strain.
Symptoms of Achilles Tendon Injury
The first symptom of Achilles tendon inflammation is pain in the back of the heel, which increases in the first minutes of exercise and then often decreases as the exercise continues. A complete rupture causes sudden, severe pain and interferes with the ability to move normally after the injury.
On examination, the inflamed Achilles tendon is painful when squeezed between the fingers. In the case of a complete rupture, the defect is palpated along the course of the tendon and compression of the gastrocnemius muscle does not produce the normal expected plantar flexion (positive Thompson test).
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Treatment of Achilles tendon injury
Tendon inflammation can be treated by using special shoe inserts that elevate the heel and by recommending that the athlete perform calf stretching exercises. Lady NSAIDs can also be used. The patient should avoid running uphill or downhill until the tendon stops hurting. Tendon rupture requires surgical treatment.