Achilles tendon syndrome is a common injury characterized by pain and inflammation in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. This condition often occurs in runners and individuals involved in activities that place significant strain on the calf muscles, such as jumping or mountain running.
It is a complex tendinopathy because it can affect multiple areas of the Achilles tendon and often has multifactorial causes, including overuse, repetitive impact activities (e.g., jumping, heavy loading, or twisting), or even morphological issues of the hindfoot (such as impingement or Haglund’s deformity).

The main symptom is pain. This can be accompanied by hindfoot deformities, swelling of the tendon due to thickening, and stiffness. Like most tendinopathies, the pain initially appears after physical activity but can progress to occur during and even persist at rest.
In chronic stages, functional impairment may arise, leading to walking difficulties and an inability to continue sports activities. In very rare cases, Achilles tendon ruptures can occur.

Treatment for Achilles tendinopathy is based on traditional management techniques. This includes partial or complete rest from sports activities (depending on severity and tolerance), physiotherapy, and specific exercises.
Key approaches include:
• Stretching exercises.
• Shockwave therapy.
• Targeted strengthening exercises (eccentric strengthening and addressing biomechanical risk factors, such as weakness in foot or hip muscles).
• Appropriate footwear and the use of orthotic insoles to relieve tendon pressure.
In some cases, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, hyaluronic acid injections, or surgery (such as tendon debridement or correction of calcaneal deformities) may be considered.

To prevent Achilles tendon syndrome, it is essential to follow a gradual training program, increasing activity intensity and duration slowly. Proper warm-ups before exercise are also crucial. And if that’s not enough, Synergy6 can be an additional tool proven to be effective for tendon pain!

Achilles tendinopathy can be a challenging and lengthy injury to treat, with significant impacts on sports participation. However, with proper care and a proactive approach, recovery is possible, enabling you to return to your favorite activities.