Why It's Often Confused
Achilles Pain sits in the same body region as several other running injuries. The wrong call can turn a 2-week recovery into a 2-month one.
Achilles Pain vs Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
Bursitis tenderness is right at the back of the heel where the shoe rubs; tendinopathy is in the tendon itself.
Achilles Pain vs Posterior Ankle Impingement
Impingement pain is deep and provoked by pointing the foot down, not by loading the tendon.
When to Get Imaging
If pain is pinpoint, worsens at rest, wakes you at night, or persists more than 2-3 weeks despite reduced training — see a sports medicine clinician for imaging. Don't wait it out.
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