Achilles tendinopathy: aetiology and management.

In the past three decades, the incidence of Achilles tendinopathy has risen as a result of greater participation in recreational and competitive sporting activities.1,2 The rate of Achilles tendon injuries in runners is about ten times that in age-matched controls. Achilles tendinopathy is also common among athletes participating in racquet sports, track and field, volleyball and soccer. However, the condition is by no means confined to athletes: in one series of 58 patients, nearly one-third did not participate in vigorous physical activity.3