Achilles Tendon Pain

What is it?

The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body and is responsible for transmitting force from the calf muscles to the foot, enabling essential actions such as walking, running, jumping, and propulsion during movement.

When the load it undergoes exceeds its adaptive capacity, pain, stiffness, and a decreased ability to tolerate physical strain may arise.

Most Common Symptoms

• Pain in the posterior aspect of the ankle.

• Morning stiffness upon waking.

• Tenderness to touch along the tendon.

• Discomfort when walking or running.

• Pain during sports activities.

• A feeling of stiffness or reduced elasticity.

Why does it occur?

A sudden increase in physical activity.

• Repetitive strain or overload.

• Inadequate recovery time.

• Impaired ankle mobility.

• Alterations in gait or running biomechanics.

• Strength deficits in the lower kinetic chain.

• Overload of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (calves).

• Impairments in hip and gluteal motor control.

The Importance of the Posterior Chain

The Achilles tendon is part of a functional kinetic chain that connects the foot with the calf muscles, hamstrings, gluteals, and pelvis.

When any of these structures experiences a loss of strength, mobility, or coordination, the tendon may be subjected to loads exceeding its capacity. Therefore, therapeutic management does not focus solely on the localized area of pain, but rather on evaluating the entire lower extremity to identify the root cause of the overload.

Therapeutic Approach

Treatment is tailored to each individual patient and may include:

• Manual therapy.

• Myofascial release.

• Radiofrequency therapy, when indicated.

• Deep dry needling.

• Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE), when clinically indicated.

• Progressive therapeutic exercise.

• Ankle mobility work.

• Gait and biomechanical re-education.

Treatment Objectives

• Alleviate pain.

• Improve the tendon's load-bearing capacity.

• Restore ankle range of motion.

• Optimize the strength of the entire posterior chain.

• Facilitate a safe return to physical activity.

• Reduce the risk of recurrence.