When the ancient Greeks created the myth of Achilles, they chose his one weak spot well. Of the many common foot and heel injuries, Achilles tendonitis takes the longest to heal. The Achilles tendon is the tendon that connects some of the major muscles on the back of your leg to the heel. It is the strongest and largest tendon you have. Its activity is critical if you wish to walk or run correctly. Its size and structure has evolved to accommodate the heavy stress, weight and pressure it must bear. Because of its placement and the forces that act upon it, the Achilles tendon is fairly easy to injure. Tendonitis occurs when the tendon has been overused or overstrained in some fashion, causing it to swell. Some of the causes of tendonitis include over-exercising, wearing high heels and not stretching enough before you exercise. 

 Figure 1 - Achilles Mother Dipping Her Son in the River Styx If you have tendonitis in one of your Achilles tendon, you need to act proactively to cure it. Tendon injuries are some of the most difficult injuries to heal because they have very little blood supply. It can take months to properly recover. Ignoring your tendonitis will only make it worse, putting you at risk for an even worse injury such as a tendon tear or even a complete rupture. The need for immediate treatment does not mean you need to see a doctor right away. There are some things you can do at home for a mild case of tendonitis. These measures include putting ice on your leg every 20 to 30 minutes for the first couple of days of your injury. Another good tactic is to keep your injured leg elevated when sitting. Resting your leg is imperative as well – if you keep using your injured leg, you will make the injury worse. 

 Given the long recovery time and the risk of further injury, the best treatment for tendonitis is prevention. One of the most important steps you can take is to wear comfortable shoes that provide a lot of support for your arches and heel cushions. Lest you think that arch support and heel cushion will condemn you to sneakers and orthopedic shoes for the rest of your life, let me hasten to add that in recent years, there has been an explosion of innovation in shoes that provide not only comfort but style. For example Orthaheels makes shoes that provide excellent support and cushioning and come in a selection of fashionable styles. You can find many of the most innovative styles and brands available at www.soleprovisions.com. Another important preventive measure is to stretch your calves and legs thoroughly before and after exercising. Stretching is one of the best ways to avoid an Achilles tendon injury. Keep your tendons loose, your feet comfortable and there’s no limit to how far you will go.

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