Orthotics & Shoe Inserts for Achilles Pain

Achilles tendentious/ Achilles pain is a major problem amongst runners of all ages. As the name suggests Achilles tendentious affects the achilles tendon. The achilles tendon connects the heel of the foot to the calve muscles. The tendon joins three main muscles in the calve, the two heads of the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Pain may be present at the achilles tendon during exercise. The pain may increase once activity has ceased. Tenderness may be felt along the course of the tendon. There may be the presence of a localized nodule on the tendon. The soles of the patient’s shoes may show an abnormal shoe wear pattern.

Achilles Tendonitis commonly occurs from shearing and tractional forces placed on the Achilles Tendon at the back of the heel. The calf muscles assist inversion of the calcaneus at heel lift. When a condition occurs where the foot accelerates into an excessively pronated position and the calcaneus is everted, there’s an increase in medial tendo-achilles traction and this results in transverse shearing of the tendon and sheath - this commonly leads to inflammation and pain. Often, a lumpy build-up of scar tissue occurs. This mechanism has been linked to Sever’s Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome and ‘growing pains’ etc.

The primary cause of achilles tendentious is over pronation. This can be controlled via orthotics.

Advantage of orthotics: Orthotics will control the amount of over pronation and thus reduce the pain associated with this condition.