Complete tears are differentiated by Sudden, severe pain and inability to walk on the extremity A palpable defect along the course of the tendon A positive Thompson test (while the patient lies prone on the examination table, the examiner squeezes the calf muscle; this maneuver by the examiner does not cause the normally expected plantar flexion of the foot) Unilateral Abnormal Thompson Test VIDEO Treatment of Achilles Tendinitis Ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and stretches Modification of activities Sometimes a heel lift Tendon inflammation should initially be treated with ice, gentle calf muscle stretching, and use of NSAIDs.