The Achilles tendon is named after the Greek hero who was killed by an arrow that hit the back of his heel. The Achilles is the longest tendon in the human body and it connects the heel bone to the calf muscle. Without the this tendon, you cannot jump, run or even walk.
The tendon is strong and can take a lot of stress, but sometimes the stress is too much for even the Achilles tendon to bear. So it begins to hurt, a signal that something is wrong with the tendon.
One of the major reasons why people experience issues with their Achilles is overuse. Overusing the tendon can cause it to swell, become inflamed or irritated, leading to pain. This is called Achilles tendinitis.
Anyone Can Suffer An Achilles Tendon Injury
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to suffer from Achilles injuries. For example, one of the largest group of people who suffer from tendon injuries are archetypical ‘weekend warriors’- middle aged men and women, who engage in sports only during the weekends.
Achilles tendinitis is a common injury, usually found in people who run a lot. If you are suffering from an injury to your Achilles tendon, you should have yourself checked. Otherwise, the problem will become chronic and you won’t even be able to walk. Here are some major reasons for injuries to the Achilles tendon.
Pushing yourself too hard: If you increase your physical activity suddenly or if you push yourself too hard, then there is a chance that you might injure your Achilles tendon.
Wearing improper running shoes: Running with improper shoes, wearing badly fitting shoes, running on uneven ground or uphill can also injure your Achilles tendon. Ill fitting shoes can also cause bone spurs to form in your feet, which are again very painful. You can also injure your Achilles tendon, if you do not warm up before exercising or if you are flat footed.
Interested in Learning More About Tendon Injuries? Contact Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Spencer
For more information on Achilles tendon injuries, causes and treatments, please contact Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Spencer. We are located in Orange county and can be reached directly at 949-364-WALK. We look forward to hearing from you soon.