Discover the causes, symptoms, and effective treatments for Achilles tendinitis. Learn how to manage this common tendon issue and maintain your active lifestyle with expert advice from Yale Medicine Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation. Achilles tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. This tendon is called the Achilles tendon. It allows Achilles Tendinitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing pain in the ankle or heel. Read on to find out more about the causes, types & symptoms. Achilles tendinitis is an injury of the Achilles (uh-KILL-eez) tendon often caused by too much use. The Achilles tendon is the band of tissue that joins calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel bone.