Achilles Tendinosis
The Achilles tendon is undoubtedly a crucial part of the body, which is why it’s best to be careful when you exercise. Achilles tendonitis can occur when the tendon experiences small tears. However, Achilles tendinosis occurs when tissues experience breakdown from overuse. Achilles tendinosis can be challenging to diagnose initially, as the symptoms will build slowly over time. Eventually, as the tissues undergo overuse, they start to break down and cannot heal fast enough to compensate. So, instead of swelling throughout the back of the ankle, you’ll feel a bump where the calf meets the heel. It might be a small bump, and it could be painful or have no pain at all. Either way, it’s a warning sign of Achilles tendinosis, and it’s your body’s way of telling you to ease up on the overuse.
Eventually, it can get to the point where the doctor prescribes special footwear to help put less stress on the affected tendon. Unlike tendonitis, where you feel the pain right away, tendinosis is much slower, though the effects could also worsen if you fail to heed your body’s warning signals.
