Going home after your visit
Achilles tendon pain — advice for adults
How to look after a sore Achilles tendon, and the warning signs to watch for.
You have Achilles tendinopathy — pain and stiffness in the tendon at the back of your ankle and heel, usually from overuse. It is not dangerous and gets better with the right exercises, but this can take a few months.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Go to A&E now if any of these happen
These are not part of ordinary tendon pain and need checking the same day. Call 999 for the one marked below.
- A sudden sharp pain or a "snap" at the back of your ankle, as if you were kicked there
- You cannot push off properly or go up on tiptoes after a sudden injury — this can be a torn (ruptured) tendon
- Calf pain, swelling, warmth or redness (a possible clot) — call 999 if also breathless or have chest pain
- Numbness, tingling, or your foot turning pale, blue or cold
- The tendon area becomes hot and red and you feel feverish or shivery
CALL 999 A sudden snap with weakness pushing off can mean a torn (ruptured) Achilles. Until you are checked, try to rest the leg and avoid putting weight on it.
Helping it get better
- Keep active, but cut back on running, jumping and other high-impact activity for a while.
- Do calf-strengthening exercises (slow heel raises) — these are the main treatment.
- A small heel raise in both shoes can ease the strain on the tendon.
- Put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on it for a few minutes after activity.
- Wear supportive shoes, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a short time if you can take them.
- Build your activity back up gradually as the pain settles.
What to expect
These are typical of tendinopathy and usually settle slowly:
Pain and stiffness at the back of the heelWorst when you start movingA tender or thickened tendonSlow improvement over months
Most people improve with exercises. See a physiotherapist if it is slow to settle.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above