Home › Foot problems › Achilles pain
Achilles pain
Morning stiffness or pain when you walk, run or climb stairs can make you worry that the tendon is becoming damaged every time you use it.
On this page
What might Achilles pain mean?
Achilles pain (often called Achilles tendonitis; clinicians now usually say tendinopathy) can involve the tendon’s mid-portion, its attachment at the back of the heel, nearby tissues or—less commonly—an acute tear. Pain does not by itself show how much tissue damage is present. The pattern, recent load change, strength and examination guide the next step.
Does this sound like Achilles tendon pain?
- Stiffness or soreness on first steps or after sitting
- Pain during or after walking, hills, stairs, running or jumping
- Tenderness or thickening in the tendon
- Reduced calf strength or confidence pushing off
Other conditions that can feel like Achilles pain
- Insertional Achilles pain: symptoms where the tendon meets the heel may respond differently to compression and stretching
- Heel bursitis or shoe irritation: pain and swelling near the back of the shoe line
- Calf strain: pain may sit higher and follow a sudden effort
- Achilles rupture: see the urgent box at the top of this page
- Referred or inflammatory pain: the tendon may not be the only source
What should I do now about Achilles pain?
Avoid sudden spikes in hills, speed or jumping. Keep comfortable activity where appropriate, but do not push through a sudden loss of strength or escalating pain. Hard, repeated stretching can aggravate pain where the tendon attaches to the heel.
What could happen at an Achilles pain appointment in Burwood?
What an Achilles assessment can clarify
- How symptoms began, medication and health factors, and recent changes in walking or training
- Exact pain location, swelling, whether the tendon is intact, and calf strength
- Walking, single-leg tasks and activity tolerance where safe
- Footwear and training context
- Whether imaging or medical referral is needed; scans are not automatic for typical presentations
Common questions about Achilles pain
Should I completely rest an Achilles tendon?
Not always. A short reduction in aggravating load may help, but progressive loading is often part of rehabilitation once serious injury is excluded. An assessment can help set a safe starting level around your symptoms and goals.
Do I need a scan?
Not routinely. An assessment can first clarify whether the presentation is typical; imaging may then help if the diagnosis is uncertain, a rupture is suspected or progress is not as expected.
Is shockwave always required?
No. It is an adjunct for selected persistent presentations. An assessment can first clarify the diagnosis, loading plan and whether shockwave is likely to add value.
Clinical information sources
These sources support the general information above. Individual assessment may lead to different advice.