Best Running Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis: 2023

What influence do running shoes play on Achilles Tendonitis Symptoms?

Achilles Tendonitis is one of the most common running injuries to the foot and ankle, and it has a prevalence of 6-18% in runners. Achilles Tendonitis affects the back of the ankle, either in the midportion of the Achilles Tendon or on the insertion to the heel bone.

In mild cases, Achilles Tendonitis may be sore at the beginning of a run and ease as the run progresses, or in chronic patients, symptoms may progressively worsen with symptoms. If the Achilles Tendon is overloaded from a run, pain is typically worse the following morning.

Achilles Tendonitis is normally caused by a sudden increase in running volume or speed. If that is not the case, then biomechanical factors such as your running gait or running shoes can cause Achilles Tendonitis.

Depending on your running style, you may benefit from different types of running shoes for your Achilles Tendonitis. For instance, if you are a heel striker, you may benefit from a shoe with a high heel drop which helps by shortening the Achilles Tendon, or if you are a mid-to-forefoot striker, you can benefit from a running shoe with a rocker sole. The right pair of running shoes can make a significant difference in managing Achilles Tendonitis by reducing pain levels, increasing running capacity and helping with overall rehabilitation.

Best Running Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis

The best Running Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis have a stack of 10mm or more, a deep heel cup or a rocker sole.

1: There is strong evidence that a heel raise can shorten the Achilles Tendon and improve pain levels. The stack height refers to the height difference from the back of a shoe to the front. If you are a heel striker, the higher the stack, the better.

2: A deep-heel cup refers to the contour of a running shoe’s heel sections. It is normally curved to cradle the heel bone, providing additional stability and control to the ankle joint. By providing additional stability to the ankle joint, a deep heel cup can reduce pronation forces associated with irritation of Achilles Tendonitis.

3: A rocker-soled running shoe is a running shoe with a curve on the under sole of the shoe. One study conducted a 3D Gait analysis of patients with Achilles Tendinopathy and found that rocker running shoes place a reduction in force on the Achilles Tendon during the push-off phase of running when compared to normal running shoes. 

We have recommended three different types of running shoes for Achilles Tendonitis that we suggest to our patients regularly.

Physiotherapy with James McCormack

This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments weekly.

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