Achilles tendinosis is a common problem.
It is a chronic condition that is characterized by microscopic tears of the Achilles tendon.
The damage can be treated with rest, exercise, and sometimes with surgery.
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Inflammation vs. Degeneration
Tendonitis and tendinosis have some overlapping features, as well as important differences.
And sometimes, if recurrent or sudden trauma causes tendon damageandinflammation, you’re able to have both.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is most often due to repetitive overuse and not a singular one-time event.
Symptoms may appear suddenly during activity even when the cause is due to overuse.
Achilles tendonitis is an acute inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
“Acute” inflammation means that the inflammation is active.
This kind of inflammation involves redness, warmth, pain, and swelling.
Another common symptom of Achilles tendonitis is called crepitus.
Achilles Tendinosis
Achilles tendinosis is a thickening of the tendon.
This means that it is a long-term condition that develops over time.
Microscopically, very small tears of the tendon may be seen along with chronic damage.
This condition is diagnosed based on symptoms.
The more effective treatments for Achilles tendinosis tend to be shoe inserts, therapeutic exercises, and stretching.
Achilles tendonitis is treated with therapies that reduce inflammation.
Achilles tendinitis and Achilles tendinosis are not mutually exclusiveyou can have both.
Chronic Achilles tendinosis can become acutely inflamed due to overuse or an acute injury.
In this case, it would cause warmth and swelling.
Once the abnormal tendon is removed, the surrounding tendon can be repaired around the defect.
This is called a tendon transfer.
A Word From Verywell
Achilles tendon problems may differ in their cause, symptoms, and treatment.
One important distinction is to determine if the cause of the problem is inflammation or chronic degeneration.
Achilles tendinosis is a problem that results from chronic breakdown and deterioration of the tendon tissue.
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