Achilles Tendinitis Heel Lifts

For Achilles tendinitis, we want to ensure that the heel is raised above the rest of the foot in order to alleviate strain on the Achilles tendon. Since most insoles have a heel cup that will do the opposite, our top recommendations here are all heel lifts, which can be worn with your existing shoe insoles to provide you with the lift you'd need to alleviate further strain on the Achilles tendon.

• The Soul Gel Heel Cushions are made from gel, which will offer maximum shock absorption and moderate cushioning. Four adjustable layers can be used to change the angle and total height for customized comfort.
• The PowerStep Heel Lifts are foam for a good combination of cushioned comfort and support. These feature three separate layers for some degree of height customization.
• The Clearly Adjustable Lifts are made of multiple layers of clear vinyl firm for maximum support and adjustability. Featuring many layers, these are the most customizable heel lifts.
• The OC9 1/4-Inch Heel Lifts are foam for good cushioning and support. These offer a single lift option of 1/4-inch, but they are also the most cost-effective heel lift because they don't use mutliple layers.

Achilles Tendinitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which located on the back of the leg mear the ankle where the different tendons of the back of the leg meet.

When this tendon is inflamed, it becomes very difficult to walk, especially in the morning when getting out of bed. Standing, running, and jumping aggravates the condition. The pain may be a burning sensation, piercing pain, or even radiate to other parts of the foot or leg. Achilles tendinitis may precede a rupture of the tendon, which would require surgery for treatment.

Activities that cause stress and strain on the Achilles tendon, especially in situations where the Achilles tendon has not been properly stretched, can cause Achilles tendinitis.

Any activity that puts excess strain on the Achilles tendon can cause Achilles tendinitis. In particular, jumping without having first stretched or without proper foot support and shock absorption, and activities that may cause sustained strain on the tendon such as ballet and dance can lead to Achilles tendinitis more quickly. Even activities such as running or lifting can lead to Achilles tendinitis without proper stretching and support.

The best way to prevent Achilles tendinitis is by stretching your foot and ankle before any strenuous activity, even running or walking. Simple stretches just to ensure a good range of movement and flexibility of the tendon are good at preventing injury.

If performing activities which will cause repeated or sustained strain on the Achilles tendon, in addition to stretching we recommend ensuring that your foot and ankle have proper support and shock absorption to mitigate the risk of injury. Ankle braces and heel cushions work great for this purpose.

Achilles tendinitis is treated by alleviating strain on the Achilles tendon to allow the tendon to heal without further injury.

Avoiding high-impact activities is strongly recommended. The use of shoes, insoles, and shoe inserts which elevate the heel will all help take normal strain off the tendon during normal day-to-day activities. Over-the-counter medication to reduce swelling and inflammation will help to alleviate some of the pain that results from Achilles tendinitis.

Most insoles offer a deep heel cup: A built-in heel cradle designed to stabilize the heel and ankle and to provide support for the base of the foot arch. Most heel cups, however, are designed to sit below the "plane" of the forefoot (the heel sits lower than the ball-of-foot).

When we consider that we want to raise the heel to alleviate strain on the Achilles tendon, a deep heel cup is counter-productive. And since there are few insoles on the market with a zero-drop or raised heel, we typically recommend a heel lift as the best (and most cost-effective) solution.