What is Achilles Tendonitis?
The Achilles Tendon is the large tendon running from the calf muscles (the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) located in the back of the leg to the back of the heel. Achilles Tendonitis is a condition of irritation and inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the ankle. The usual complaint associated with Achilles tendonitis is pain behind the heel and the lower calf. You can have Achilles Tendonitis as a result of accumulated day-to-day irritations that inflame the tendon over a period of time.
For those who did not experience any trauma to the calves and feet, Achilles Tendonitis is sometimes associated simply with long periods of standing. Inadequate stretching before engaging in athletic or other physically-demanding activities can also be the cause.
Improper shoe selection, particularly using high heels over many years, increases your odds of developing the condition. This is because high-heeled shoes cause your calf muscles to contract, leaving the tendon with a lot less slack in it, if no stretching is done. This degeneration means that the Achilles Tendon does not possess its normal tensile strength and may be liable to rupture with continued sporting activity.