Achilles tendinopathy is common in runners and running sports but also affects people who are less active. Between six and 10 per cent of runners are affected by the condition at any one time, and up to 60 per cent still have symptoms at five years.

Achilles tendinopathy comprises two distinct but related conditions: mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy and insertional Achilles tendinopathy. These are characterised by localised pain and impaired locomotor function, including walking, running and jumping.

Physiotherapists play an important role in managing Achilles tendinopathy, providing both education about the condition, its causes and possible outcomes of treatments, and prescribing exercise programs to treat the injury.

In his Journal of Physiotherapy Invited Topical Review, Associate Professor Peter Malliaras outlines the epidemiology, burden and clinical course of Achillles tendinopathy, focusing on current considerations in its diagnosis, assessment and management from a physiotherapy perspective. A theme throughout the review is a shift from a reductionist biomedical view towards a biopsychosocial view of Achilles tendinopathy emphasising how this shapes clinical care.

For more information and to read the entire Invited Topical Review article, click here.

Professor Peter Malliaras APAM, MACP is an APA Sports and Exercise physiotherapist and researcher with a particular interest in tendinopathy. He currently co-leads an international consensus group striving to improve outcomes for people with Achilles tendinopathy by improving research rigour. Peter has co- authored more than 100 peer-review publications and is involved in multiple funded tendinopathy research projects in Australia and internationally.

This blog is a Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) initiative supported by PAIN AWAY athELITE – Platinum and Content Sponsor of the PRF.