[Symptoms in area of the Achilles tendon. Etiology and therapeutic considerations]

A number of pathologic conditions can produce posterior heel pain, making it difficult to distinguish the exact cause. Only a careful physical examination allows the probable diagnosis, which is the first and most important step in a successful therapy. Pathologically, the Achilles tendon itself may be inflamed secondary to degeneration owing to a decreased blood supply or the result of a partial rupture. The inflammation can also be accompanied by microtears or calcium deposits. In most cases the tendon sheath and the mesotenon are also involved (tenosynovitis). The retrocalcaneal bursa located between the posterior angle of the os calcis and the Achilles tendon may become inflamed and hypertrophic. It is frequently associated with a prominent superior tuberosity of the os calcis. In a few cases there was also an irritation of the bursa between the Achilles tendon and the skin caused by ill-fitting shoes. Over a 3-year period, 102 patients who engaged in different sports were treated for problems in the Achilles tendon area and retrospectively reviewed with a follow up of 18.8 months. Most of them were runners (48%), followed by soccer players (15.7%) and tennis players (5.9%). The mean age was 36 years. In the vast majority of patients (n = 70, 68.6%) nonoperative treatment was successful. In this group there were 45 cases (65%) with postural abnormalities and excessive pronation requiring correction by means of orthotic appliances. In 19 patients (27%) the problems were caused by a muscular imbalance, and in 15 cases (21%) wrong training methods with overuse had caused the inflammation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)