Several Possible Causes and Contributing Factors include:

• Repetitive stress or strain especially in activities like running, jumping, or walking
• Previous injuries
• Age, weight, foot deformities
• Inappropriate footwear, training technique

Symptoms

• Pain, swelling over the back of the heel
• Pain is often worse when walking up hill or squatting
• Stiffness at the back of heel after lying, sitting or standing for a prolonged period

What Can You do About it?

• Avoid activities that exacerbate the pain or choose alternative exercises that allow you to take the load off the Achilles tendon, e.g. cycling, swimming
• Use supportive shoes with proper support and cushioning
• Do foot and leg stretching exercises regularly. The exercises can help to stretch the Achilles tendon and calf muscles

Treatment

• Apply ice or cold therapy over the back of heel
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physiotherapy
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
• Orthotics
• Surgery for stubborn cases that don't improve with other treatment modalities