Achilles Pain When Walking: Causes & Treatment

Achilles tendon pain when walking can be caused by several conditions, with Achilles tendinopathy being one of the most common causes of gradual-onset pain and stiffness. However, sudden pain—particularly with a pop, snapping sensation or major loss of push-off strength—may indicate a partial or complete Achilles tendon tear and should be assessed promptly.

Where the pain is located, how it started and how it behaves during and after walking can all provide useful clues. Pain in the middle of the tendon, pain directly at the heel attachment and pain after a sudden injury should not automatically be treated in the same way.

Published: 12 July 2026
Written by: Grant Burton, Director and Principal Physiotherapist, PPS Physiotherapy

About the author: Grant Burton is the Director and Principal Physiotherapist at PPS Physiotherapy. He works in private practice managing musculoskeletal and sports presentations and leads physiotherapy services across the Kellyville and Carlingford clinics.

Key takeaways

Gradual Achilles pain and morning stiffness are commonly associated with Achilles tendinopathy.
Pain several centimetres above the heel may suggest a midportion presentation, while pain directly where the tendon attaches to the heel may be insertional.
A sudden pop, snapping sensation or major loss of push-off strength can indicate a significant Achilles tear and warrants prompt assessment.
Whether you can keep walking depends on the cause, symptom severity, functional loss and how the tendon responds during and after activity.
For Achilles tendinopathy, progressive tendon loading is usually more important for long-term recovery than complete rest alone.

Why does my Achilles hurt when I walk?

Walking loads the Achilles tendon with every step, particularly as the calf and tendon help control the ankle and generate push-off. If the tendon is painful, irritated or injured, this repeated loading can make symptoms noticeable during ordinary walking.

Common causes of pain around the Achilles region include:

midportion Achilles tendinopathy;
insertional Achilles tendinopathy;
a partial Achilles tendon tear;
a complete Achilles tendon rupture;
irritation of nearby structures around the back of the ankle or heel.

The location of the pain and whether symptoms developed gradually or suddenly are particularly important. Pain underneath the heel, for example, is usually not an Achilles tendon problem and may have a different cause.

Where exactly is your Achilles pain?

The exact location of pain can help narrow down the likely source of symptoms, although location alone cannot provide a definitive diagnosis.

Pain location or pattern	Possible explanation	Typical clues
Several centimetres above the heel	Midportion Achilles tendinopathy	Gradual pain, morning stiffness, tenderness and pain with walking, running or calf raises
Directly where the Achilles attaches to the heel	Insertional Achilles tendinopathy	Pain at the heel attachment, sometimes aggravated by footwear or positions involving greater ankle dorsiflexion
Sudden pain after running, jumping or pushing off	Possible partial or complete Achilles tear	Sudden onset, possible pop or snapping sensation, swelling and reduced push-off strength
Underneath the heel	May not be an Achilles tendon problem	Pain beneath the heel may involve other structures and requires a different assessment

Other conditions can also cause pain around the back of the ankle and heel. An assessment should consider the full history and clinical presentation rather than relying on pain location alone.

Could Achilles pain when walking be tendinopathy?

Achilles tendinopathy is a common explanation for gradual-onset Achilles pain, particularly when symptoms include morning stiffness, local tenderness and pain during activities that load the tendon.

People with Achilles tendinopathy may notice:

pain during the first few steps in the morning;
stiffness after sitting or being still;
pain when walking, particularly after an increase in activity;
pain with running, jumping or calf raises;
tenderness when pressing on the tendon;
swelling or thickening in some cases;
symptoms that warm up during activity but return later or the following morning.

Achilles tendinopathy commonly develops gradually rather than after one dramatic injury. Changes in running, walking, sport or other physical demands may be relevant, but there is not always one obvious cause.

For a more detailed explanation of this condition, see our guide to Achilles tendinopathy symptoms, causes and treatment.

Could Achilles pain when walking be a tear?

Yes. A partial or complete Achilles tendon tear can cause pain and difficulty walking, particularly when symptoms begin suddenly during running, jumping, sport or a forceful push-off.

Features that raise concern for a significant Achilles injury include:

a sudden sharp pain at the back of the ankle or lower calf;
a pop or snapping sensation;
feeling as though someone kicked or struck the back of the leg;
new swelling or bruising;
marked difficulty pushing off while walking;
substantial weakness when trying to rise onto the toes.

Importantly, being able to walk does not necessarily rule out an Achilles tear. The severity of pain can also vary, so a significant injury should not be excluded based on pain intensity alone.

Seek prompt assessment after a sudden Achilles injury

If you experienced a sudden pop, snapping sensation, major loss of push-off strength or significant difficulty walking after an acute injury, seek prompt medical assessment rather than assuming it is ordinary tendon soreness.

Achilles tendinopathy vs Achilles tear: what is the difference?

The biggest clue is often how the symptoms started: Achilles tendinopathy commonly develops gradually, whereas an acute tear typically occurs suddenly.

Feature	Achilles tendinopathy	Acute Achilles tear
Onset	Usually gradual	Usually sudden
Typical story	Increasing pain or stiffness with walking, running or tendon-loading activity	Sudden pain during sport, running, jumping or forceful push-off
Pop or snap	Not typical	May occur
Morning stiffness	Common	Not usually the defining initial feature
Push-off weakness	May develop depending on severity	Can be marked, particularly with a major tear
Need for prompt assessment	Depends on severity and presentation	Yes, particularly after sudden injury with functional loss

Partial Achilles tears can be more difficult to distinguish because symptoms and functional loss can vary. Clinical assessment and, where appropriate, imaging may be required when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Can I keep walking with Achilles tendon pain?

Whether you should keep walking depends on why the Achilles is painful, how severe the symptoms are and whether there has been a sudden loss of function.

For gradual-onset Achilles tendinopathy, complete rest is generally not the long-term solution. Many people can continue some walking while adjusting the amount, speed, hills or other activities according to symptoms and function.

However, continuing to walk normally may not be appropriate if:

the pain started suddenly after an acute injury;
you felt or heard a pop or snap;
you have marked weakness during push-off;
walking is significantly altered or very difficult;
pain or swelling is rapidly worsening;
a partial or complete Achilles tear is suspected.

There is no universal number of steps or pain score that is appropriate for every Achilles problem. The cause of the symptoms and the response during and after activity matter.

How much pain is acceptable when walking?

There is no single pain threshold that applies to every person or every Achilles condition. In rehabilitation for Achilles tendinopathy, some discomfort during loading may sometimes be acceptable, but this should not be confused with ignoring rapidly worsening pain or walking through a suspected acute tear.

Useful considerations may include:

whether pain is mild, moderate or severe;
whether you are limping or changing the way you walk;
whether symptoms settle after activity;
whether pain or stiffness is noticeably worse later that day or the following morning;
whether your walking capacity is improving, stable or deteriorating over time.

These factors can help guide load modification, but they should be interpreted in the context of the underlying condition.

Should I stretch a painful Achilles tendon?

Stretching is not automatically appropriate for every person with Achilles pain, particularly when the exact location and cause of symptoms are unknown.

For midportion Achilles tendinopathy, calf stretching may sometimes be considered when limited ankle mobility is relevant. However, insertional Achilles symptoms can be aggravated by positions involving greater ankle dorsiflexion because these positions may increase compression at the tendon attachment.

Similarly, dropping the heel deeply below the level of a step should not automatically be prescribed for every Achilles problem.

If there has been a sudden injury and a tear is suspected, do not aggressively stretch the Achilles before appropriate assessment.

What treatment helps Achilles pain when walking?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, which is why a sudden Achilles tear and gradual-onset tendinopathy should not be managed as though they are the same condition.

For Achilles tendinopathy, management may include:

education about the condition and expected recovery;
temporary adjustment of aggravating walking, running or sporting loads;
progressive calf and Achilles tendon strengthening;
gradual progression towards heavier resistance where appropriate;
later-stage running, hopping, jumping or sport-specific rehabilitation when required;
consideration of footwear and other individual factors where relevant.

Current clinical guidance supports tendon-loading exercise as a first-line treatment for midportion Achilles tendinopathy. This does not mean that everyone needs the same eccentric heel-drop programme. Loading can take different forms and should be progressed according to the person’s presentation, capacity and goals.

Does insertional Achilles pain need different treatment?

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy may require different loading considerations because positions involving greater ankle dorsiflexion can increase compression at the tendon attachment.

For some people, early rehabilitation may temporarily limit deep dorsiflexion, avoid dropping the heel below the level of a step or modify other positions that aggravate compression while tendon capacity is progressively rebuilt.

This distinction is clinically important because generic online advice to stretch aggressively or perform heel drops off a step may not suit every insertional presentation.

Do I need an ultrasound or MRI for Achilles pain?

Not everyone with Achilles pain needs imaging, because many straightforward cases of Achilles tendinopathy can be identified from the history and physical examination.

Ultrasound or MRI may be considered when:

a partial or complete tendon tear is suspected;
the diagnosis is uncertain;
symptoms or examination findings are atypical;
there has been a significant acute injury;
imaging would meaningfully affect management.

Imaging findings should be interpreted alongside the person’s symptoms and clinical examination rather than in isolation.

How long does Achilles pain take to improve?

The recovery timeframe depends on the underlying diagnosis, severity of the problem, duration of symptoms, functional demands and individual response to rehabilitation.

Gradual-onset Achilles tendinopathy often requires rehabilitation over weeks to months rather than days. Rebuilding the capacity required for running, jumping or demanding sport may take longer than returning to comfortable daily walking.

An acute partial or complete Achilles tear follows a different recovery pathway and should not be given the same timeline as tendinopathy.

Factors that may influence recovery include:

whether symptoms are gradual or followed an acute injury;
whether the problem is midportion or insertional;
current pain and functional limitations;
calf strength and endurance;
how long symptoms have been present;
work, walking, running and sporting demands;
consistency and progression of rehabilitation;
individual health and recovery factors.

When is Achilles pain serious?

Achilles pain deserves prompt assessment when it follows a sudden injury or is accompanied by significant weakness, major difficulty walking or other concerning symptoms.

Seek prompt medical assessment if you experience:

a sudden pop or snapping sensation;
the feeling of being kicked or struck at the back of the ankle;
marked loss of push-off strength;
substantial difficulty walking after an acute injury;
rapidly increasing swelling or bruising;
an inability to perform movements that were previously easy after a sudden injury.

Persistent Achilles pain that is worsening, repeatedly returning or limiting ordinary walking, work, exercise or sport also warrants appropriate assessment, even when there was no dramatic injury.

What does PPS Physiotherapy assess for Achilles pain when walking?

At PPS Physiotherapy, assessment of Achilles pain may consider where the pain is located, whether symptoms began suddenly or gradually, how walking affects the pain, recent changes in activity or training, morning stiffness, calf strength and endurance, heel-raise capacity and how the tendon responds during and after loading.

Where relevant, assessment may also consider walking or running demands, footwear, occupational requirements and the specific activities the person wants to return to.

The aim is to distinguish between presentations that may be managed with progressive rehabilitation and those that require prompt medical assessment or further investigation.

Is Achilles pain affecting your walking?

If pain at the back of your ankle or heel is affecting your walking, exercise or sport, an assessment can help clarify the likely cause and determine an appropriate next step.

Book an appointment with PPS Physiotherapy

Frequently asked questions about Achilles pain when walking

Why does my Achilles hurt when I first start walking?

Morning pain or stiffness during the first few steps after getting out of bed or after prolonged rest is commonly associated with Achilles tendinopathy. However, the full symptom history and examination are important because not all pain around the back of the ankle is caused by tendinopathy.

Can I walk with Achilles tendonitis?

Many people with gradual-onset Achilles tendinopathy can continue some walking, although the appropriate amount depends on pain, function and how symptoms respond during and after activity. Sudden pain, major weakness or suspected tendon tearing requires a different approach.

Can you still walk with a torn Achilles tendon?

Yes. Some people can still walk after an Achilles tendon tear, so the ability to walk does not by itself exclude a significant injury. Sudden pain, a pop or snapping sensation and loss of push-off strength warrant prompt assessment.

How do I know if my Achilles pain is tendinopathy or a tear?

Achilles tendinopathy commonly develops gradually with morning stiffness and load-related pain. An acute tear typically occurs suddenly and may involve a pop, snapping sensation or substantial loss of push-off strength. Partial tears can be more difficult to distinguish and may require further assessment.

Should I stop walking completely if my Achilles hurts?

Not necessarily. Complete rest is generally not the long-term solution for Achilles tendinopathy, and many people can continue modified walking. However, significant acute injury, worsening functional loss or suspected tendon tearing should be assessed before continuing normal activity.

Achilles pain assessment at PPS Physiotherapy

PPS Physiotherapy provides assessment and rehabilitation for musculoskeletal and sports injuries at our Kellyville and Carlingford clinics.

For gradual-onset Achilles pain, management may involve education, appropriate load modification, progressive calf and tendon strengthening and a staged return to walking, running, exercise or sport according to the individual’s presentation and goals.

If you would like more detailed information about gradual-onset tendon pain, read our guide to Achilles tendinopathy symptoms, causes and treatment.

Need help with Achilles pain when walking?

If Achilles pain is limiting your walking, exercise, work or sport, we can assess your symptoms and help determine an appropriate management plan based on your presentation and goals.