Running with Achilles Tendon Pain
“I really thought I could run through it when it started 2 months ago. It was a little pain in the back of my ankle. But it is just getting worse and now it hurts to even walk on it and it is swollen. Please, don’t tell me I have to stop running.”
Those are words I hear frequently in runners with Achilles tendon issues. Why does this pesky tendon cause so many problems for runners?
Achilles tendon injury is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel (calcaneus) bone where it inserts. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body and the forces from toeing off (up to 3 times your weight) are taken in by the Achilles. Uphill running and forefoot striking put extra stress on the tendon.
Overuse of the tendon can lead to a tendon injury. A sudden increase in mileage or activity, tight calf muscles, and the presence of bone spurs can lead to tendon damage. Most overuse injuries are commonly called tendonitis by runners. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon usually caused by a sudden force. Chronic use usually causes degeneration, which is accurately called tendinosis. Most overuse injuries to tendons caused by running are actually tendinosis rather than tendonitis. It can be important to distinguish because the treatment may be different if dealing with inflammation rather than…
