Conditions
Achilles tendinopathy (Achilles tendinitis)
Achilles tendinopathy, often called Achilles tendinitis, is pain and stiffness of the tendon that joins the calf to the heel. It is very common in runners and in sports with running and jumping, and it also appears in sedentary people over 40. It can affect the middle of the tendon or its attachment to the heel, and treatment differs depending on the area. It responds well to a progressive loading programme. Dr Julio De la Morena examines it with ultrasound during the same consultation at Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid).
Common symptoms
- Pain and stiffness in the tendon in the morning or when starting to walk.
- Pain at the start of a run that may settle once warmed up and return afterwards.
- Thickening or a painful lump in the tendon.
- Heel pain from shoe rubbing, in insertional tendinopathy.
When to seek care straight away
If you feel a snap or a sensation of being hit by a stone at the back of the leg, with difficulty standing on tiptoe, it may be an Achilles tendon rupture. It needs assessment within the first hours or days, because treatment depends on acting early.
How it is diagnosed
Examination and ultrasound in the consultation show whether the problem is in the middle of the tendon or at its attachment, the thickness of the tendon, partial tears, increased blood flow and the bursa next to the heel. It is always compared with the healthy side.
Non-surgical treatment
- Progressive loading exercise for the tendon and calf, adapted to whether the problem is mid-portion or insertional.
- Training adjustment in runners: volume, hills, pace and footwear.
- Temporary heel lifts in some cases of insertional tendinopathy.
- Autologous growth factors guided by ultrasound in selected chronic tendinopathies.
- No corticosteroids into the tendon, because of the risk of rupture.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep running with Achilles tendinopathy?
Often yes, with a reduced and controlled load as long as the pain stays tolerable and does not increase the next day. Complete rest weakens the tendon and makes the pain more likely to return.
How long does it take to heal?
Improvement is usually noticed within weeks, but full recovery of the tendon often takes three to six months of consistent work.
Can the tendon rupture if I have tendinopathy?
The risk is low but it exists, especially after corticosteroid injections into the tendon or with certain antibiotics. That is why it is worth treating properly from the start.
Which doctor treats Achilles tendinopathy in Madrid?
Dr Julio De la Morena, specialist in Sports and Exercise Medicine, at the Regenerative Therapies and Sports Medicine Unit of Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid). Appointments on +34 913 548 990.
Would you like your case assessed?
Examination and ultrasound in the same appointment: you leave with a diagnosis and a plan. First appointment with no commitment to treatment: if nothing is indicated, we tell you.
Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón · Pozuelo de Alarcón · +34 913 548 990 · Mon–Fri, 3 pm to 9 pm
Written and reviewed by Dr Julio De la Morena Garzón, specialist in Sport and Exercise Medicine (Madrid Medical Council no. 281903698). Last reviewed: October 2026. General information that does not replace a medical consultation.