Achilles Tendon Problems: What Increases Your Risk

Content provided by Healthwise

What Increases Your Risk

Factors that increase your risk for Achilles tendinopathy or rupture include the following.²

• Sports and physical activity. Because overuse and repeated movements can cause injury and weaken the Achilles tendon, playing sports increases the risk of an Achilles tendon injury. Activities at work (such as in construction) and at home (such as gardening) may also increase your risk.
• Sports training errors. Not warming up before and after running or other activities or suddenly changing your training program can increase your risk for injury. Increasing your distance, running uphill more often, or changing your ground surfaces (for example, from pavement to sand) too quickly can increase your risk.
• Age. As you age, the blood supply to the Achilles tendon area decreases. Most cases of Achilles tendinopathy or rupture occur in people older than 30.
• Weight. If you are very heavy, you have a greater risk of an Achilles tendon injury.
• Being male. Men are more likely than women to have an Achilles tendon injury.
• High cholesterol. If high cholesterol runs in your family, you have a higher risk of Achilles tendon pain and problems.³

Risk factors for an Achilles tendon rupture include:

• A previous injury to the Achilles tendon.
• A previous rupture of the Achilles tendon.
• Corticosteroid injections in the Achilles tendon, which can weaken the tendon.
• Using quinolone antibiotics, especially if you are older than 60 and/or are taking corticosteroids by mouth.⁴ Quinolones include ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin.
• Having osteoarthritis, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Having received dialysis or having undergone a kidney transplant.⁴

Last updated:	January 30, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Nicola Maffulli, MD, PhD - Orthopedics
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC