Achilles tendinopathy is one of the common disorders seen in athletes. It is a degenerative rather than an inflammatory, condition. There is a lifetime risk of 52% in former elite male distance runners. This condition is difficult to manage and up to 29% of Achilles tendinopathy patients may require surgery. It often results in chronic pain and discomfort along with failure to regain full function. It can be complicated by partial tears or complete rupture causing long-term burden on healthcare system and making treatment quite difficult.
*Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Wales, Heath Park Cardiff
†Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Keele University School of Medicine, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire
‡Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Mile End Hospital, London, England
Reprints: Mohammad Saqib Zafar, MBBS, MRCS, Specialist Registrar University Hospital Wales, Trauma and Orthopaedics, 3 Headingley Grove, Trentham Lakes, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST4 8FD, UK (e-mail: msaqibzafar@aol.com).
