Achilles tendinopathy is a common injury among runners that affects the Achilles tendon, causing pain during activities like running and jumping. This injury, if not properly managed, can significantly impact one’s ability to return to regular activities.
Achilles tendinopathy occurs due to overuse of the Achilles tendon, the large tendon at the back of your ankle. This injury typically results from repetitive stress on the tendon, often through activities such as running. It can cause symptoms like pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking or running. In fact, up to 10% of runners will develop Achilles tendinopathy at some point.
When runners with Achilles tendinopathy experience pain, they tend to offload the affected leg, putting more weight on their healthy leg. This is an automatic response to pain. This uneven loading can lead to further problems down the line, as it may increase the risk of injury to the other leg. It’s crucial to give yourself recovery days between runs. However, load is still necessary to help remodel that tendon, allowing it to heal properly. Continuing to run with poor management isn’t necessarily detrimental to recovery in the short term; running patterns and how you distribute weight between your legs play a much bigger role.
If you’re dealing with Achilles tendinopathy, it’s important to pay attention to how you’re running. As tempting as it may be to keep running, consecutive running days without rest can make your Achilles tendon pain worse. If you find yourself favoring one leg, it might be a sign that your injured leg is still not fully recovered. Working with a physiotherapist can help you identify these asymmetries and correct them through exercises and adjustments in your running form.
Achilles tendinopathy doesn’t have to sideline you from running forever. With the right approach, including proper recovery, strengthening, and attention to running patterns, you can get back to enjoying your runs relatively quickly. The key is patience—rushing back too soon can lead to setbacks, so give your Achilles tendon the time it needs to fully recover. While it’s okay to run with some pain, aim to keep it within a manageable range (typically between 2-5 on a 10-point scale). If your pain starts to increase significantly, it’s a sign that you’re overloading your tendon, and it’s time to back off and give your body more rest.
