To better understand Achilles tendinitis, it helps to understand the anatomy around the ankle joint.

Tendons are strong bands that connect muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon is the large tendon that connects the calf muscle or gastrocnemius to your heel bone. The gastrocnemius muscle is composed of two muscle bellies: the medial and lateral heads. The action of the gastrocnemius serves to flex the leg and plantar flex the foot.

Anatomy examples:

• Achilles tendon
• Ankle joint
• Achilles tendinitis pain distribution