Achilles Tendonitis
Description: Achilles tendonitis causes inflammation and degeneration of the achilles tendon. The achilles tendon is the large tendon located in the back of the leg that inserts into the heel. The pain caused by achilles tendonitis can develop gradually without a history of trauma. The inflammation may be localized to the end of the tendon closest to the heel or may spread upward to affect even the muscles of the calf. Swelling often occurs and pain is felt upon contraction of the calf muscles. In severe cases, pain may be felt even at rest. The pain can be a shooting pain, burning, or even an extremely piercing pain. Achilles tendonitis should not be left untreated due to the danger that the tendon can become weak and rupture.
Achilles tendonitis is aggravated by activities that repeatedly stress the tendon, causing inflammation. In some cases, even prolonged periods of standing can cause symptoms. It is a common problem often experienced by athletes, particularly distance runners.
Footwear: The key with each type of footwear is to correctly match the footwear to meet individual requirements. A good match means a lot more than just the right shoe size and width; it means the correct arch, cushioning, firmness, height and heel height. For many people, tiny inexpensive improvements in footwear make a huge difference to their achilles tendons.

