Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. Achilles tendinitis most commonly affects people who play sports that involve running or jumping, such as middle-distance running, basketball, and soccer. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body, and it’s also the one most susceptible to overuse injuries.

Achilles tendinitis symptoms include:

• Pain in the back of your lower leg, above your heel
• Tenderness to touch along the Achilles tendon
• Stiffness and soreness in the Achilles tendon when you first wake up in the morning
• Thickening of the Achilles tendon
• Bone spur (an overgrowth of bone) on the Achilles tendon Achilles tendinitis typically gets worse slowly. It most often affects people between the ages of 30 and 50, and sometimes occurs in children who play Achilles-dependent sports.

Cause:

The Achilles tendon is a strong rope of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. With overuse, the Achilles tendon can become irritated or even torn. Achilles tendinitis is commonly seen in runners and other athletes who put repetitive stress on their Achilles tendon.