OT: Achilles Tendon Issue

[RU848789]

Why do that if inexpensive ones work? I never needed to see a doctor nor get custom inserts and my achillees tendonitis went away like magic.

Try to cheap easy path first, and only progress to a more expensive or difficult approach if needed. Is my philosophy at least. If the inexpensive over-the-counter solution doesn't work, or if Zap has other foot issues, then a visit to a doctor makes sense.

I'd go straight to the podiatrist/orthopedist for this, since they know far more about the achilles tendon than you or me or anyone else that doesn't have a medical degree. Typically, they'll make tailor made inserts for your foot, assuming that's the issue and might recommend other options if that's not the issue. Why eff around with a cheap solution that might not work and might actually be counterproductive? Your cheaping out on actual medical guidance for decades is not the approach I'd take, i.e., you're wrong!

 

[Yeah Baby]

If you were a horse someone would probably shoot you. But try some of that CBD first.

 

[mildone_rivals]

I'd go straight to the podiatrist/orthopedist for this, since they know far more about the achilles tendon than you or me or anyone else that doesn't have a medical degree. Typically, they'll make tailor made inserts for your foot, assuming that's the issue and might recommend other options if that's not the issue. Why eff around with a cheap solution that might not work and might actually be counterproductive? Your cheaping out on actual medical guidance for decades is not the approach I'd take, i.e., you're wrong!

I will admit that there are a few incidents, or so, where I might have been better served by visiting a doctor.

However, I had Achilles tendonitis just like zap and the $10 (or whatever they were) inserts from the pharmacy worked quickly, thoroughly, perfectly, and I have never had a problem with it since I started using them.

Proving me correct in not wasting either my or the doctor's time. For me, it's never about the money. And I have health insurance, so there really wouldn't be much expense anyway.

It's all about self-sufficiency and not running off to the doctor for every little thing, which wastes everybody's time. It's about rubbing some dirt in it, and getting back out there. Like a manly man of the macho he-man club!
Anyway, I figure I can have all my overdue surgeries when I'm dead. I'm too busy having fun to do that stuff now.

 

[mildone_rivals]

I 90% tore mine about a decade ago. After the months in a flexed cast, and rehab, I had very similar issues you are dealing with when I was getting back to normal life. Compression, heat, and massage helped me get through it.

Did hookers and blow help?

 

[Jumba72]

New Balance makes a sneaker with a deeper bed to accommodate orthotics. Go to an othopedist who prescribes the whole set. He will find you a surgical supply specialist.
RE: diclofenac, get the 3% Voltaren gel. Try to avoid the pills. Too many asverse effects.

 

[LETSGORU91_]

This board is good on advice or help!
I’ve miraculously gone my whole life without a joint injury of any kind.
Played multiple sports at high levels including squash in my later years.
Never had a knee, ankle, wrist, shoulder or hip injury….ever.
All of a sudden I have an inflamed Achilles Tendon that according to my doctor after X Rays is not in jeopardy of rolling up on me.
I’m quite functional, I just can’t run.
Physical therapy makes it feel better but the swelling (which is obvious) when I compare my ankles is not going away.
I can play golf, carry my bag and still walk the dog…. No real issues.
Anyone ever dealt with this, I’ve been told by people Achilles Tendons are unlike any other tendon in your body, even if you rest it and do nothing it can stay inflamed.
God forbid I need a boot…..HELP

Sorry to hear of the AT issue. Have you increased your activity lately? Changed running, golf, frequently worn shoes? Continue to wear old running shoes? I'll assume you went to your primary doctor who discussed the xray and I take it there are no bone spurs or degenerative changes. Going to PT is good and hopefully the person is very knowledgeable/experience in regards to AT. I'll suggest a few things and hopefully they will help. First, I'd visit an orthopedist or podiatrist and preferably one who specializes in sports and/or the ortho is lower body concentration. Second, be careful with your Hokas. They typically promote a higher heel raise and less strain on the AT which is good BUT, they might not be right for your foot strike and can promote over/under pronation which can put a strain on your knee. If I were you, I'd go to a SPECIALTY running store to have your shoes/feet analyzed to keep your knee in alignment. You don't want knee problems too. Done properly, they should look at your gait, inspect your shoes, inspect your feet, and possibly do a "wet foot" test or computerized analysis of your foot strike to recommend a proper shoe for you. Last, I like heel raises too. But I wouldn't do them on the stairs as you risk of dropping your heel too much and possibly injuring the AT more. Try doing them while standing on a 2x4 piece of wood with your heels off the edge. Also, using a foam roller might help. I am going to put a link on here for a comprehensive explanation of the causes of AT and it's treatments. Make sure you click the red bars at the bottom to get to the next page. Feel better!!!

AT explained to help Zap get rid of the pain

 

[Caliknight]

Ice then hell out of it Zap. I see my PT/trainer tomorrow. He’s incredible. I’ll ask him what else you should do.

 

[gef21]

Did hookers and blow help?

That is part of the normal regimen

 

[jerseybird]

One of the most useful devices in my home gym is one which I made and didn't buy. Took three pieces of 2x4 board and fastened them together edgewise into an "H" shape. Then, I fastened down a piece of 2x6 board laid across the middle board. This becomes a station incorporated into my weight-training circuits for the off-season/pre-season training. First circuit is bench press, leg extensions, forward lat pulldowns, back hyperextensions, toe raises, shoulder shrugs and resistance band bicep curls. That is done three times. Next circuit includes squats, leg curls, rear facing lat pulldowns, back hyperextensions and toe raises for three times. For the toe raises, I try to hit 30 for the first round and get to at least 50 by the third round. I stabilize myself by holding onto a floor joist with each hand. Being about five inches off the floor, I get a good stretch normal speed and If I go slow, can really get a pronounced stretch. Many times, in good weather, I warm down with a 5- or 6-mile bike ride. Before games, I lean against a fence or post and push my leg back, then hold a stretch for 10 seconds on up to 30. I am 70+ now and even in everyday activities away from the court or field, I can feel the occasional tweak. The past few seasons for soccer and basketball, I have worn new Balance training shoes with the plantar fasciitis inserts bought in Shop Rite. All my field testing has been done over 30+ years and maybe between 2,000 to 2,500 soccer and basketball games.

 

[zappaa]

Finally trying the 100% ZERO pain and rest regimen.
I’ve been walking my dog and walking the golf course with a compromised gate and a tendon pain of around 3…which is completely tolerable, but it’s not getting better.
Going with the one mile an hour, slow, no pain or stress on tendon…see if that reduces the swelling.
A few months ago, I had a violent fall in a Montclair parking lot.
I have a really fast paced walk, while going full speed looking for the back entrance to a restaurant, I hit a two foot high guard rail at ramming speed…the impact would have snapped and broken the leg of the average man my age…I suffered 3 separate puncture wounds on my chin that probably all could have used stitches.
When I made my way into the restaurant my hands were bleeding from the fall, when I lifted my pants leg my daughters witnessed a bloody mess.
The restaurant owner wanted to call an ambulance, I settled for a medical kit and fixed my bloody stump up in the bathroom…I filled the garbage with bloody bandages….lol
Finished with story, a week later I had Achilles Tendinitis…the trauma to my chin bone might have caused this???

 

[DJ Spanky]

Finished with story, a week later I had Achilles Tendinitis…the trauma to my chin bone might have caused this???

Did you hear the word of the lord?

 

[Ronnie_B]

Finally trying the 100% ZERO pain and rest regimen.
I’ve been walking my dog and walking the golf course with a compromised gate and a tendon pain of around 3…which is completely tolerable, but it’s not getting better.
Going with the one mile an hour, slow, no pain or stress on tendon…see if that reduces the swelling.
A few months ago, I had a violent fall in a Montclair parking lot.
I have a really fast paced walk, while going full speed looking for the back entrance to a restaurant, I hit a two foot high guard rail at ramming speed…the impact would have snapped and broken the leg of the average man my age…I suffered 3 separate puncture wounds on my chin that probably all could have used stitches.
When I made my way into the restaurant my hands were bleeding from the fall, when I lifted my pants leg my daughters witnessed a bloody mess.
The restaurant owner wanted to call an ambulance, I settled for a medical kit and fixed my bloody stump up in the bathroom…I filled the garbage with bloody bandages….lol
Finished with story, a week later I had Achilles Tendinitis…the trauma to my chin bone might have caused this???

It wouldn't surprise me if it was related, calves and shins are connected and can effect each other and we know a lot of Achilles injuries are the result of issues with the calves.

A couple years ago I did that, was camping and was cutting through another site at night without a flashlight and ran one of my shins straight into a picnic bench. Oh man did that hurt like hell.

 

[jerseybird]

Finally trying the 100% ZERO pain and rest regimen.
I’ve been walking my dog and walking the golf course with a compromised gate and a tendon pain of around 3…which is completely tolerable, but it’s not getting better.
Going with the one mile an hour, slow, no pain or stress on tendon…see if that reduces the swelling.
A few months ago, I had a violent fall in a Montclair parking lot.
I have a really fast paced walk, while going full speed looking for the back entrance to a restaurant, I hit a two foot high guard rail at ramming speed…the impact would have snapped and broken the leg of the average man my age…I suffered 3 separate puncture wounds on my chin that probably all could have used stitches.
When I made my way into the restaurant my hands were bleeding from the fall, when I lifted my pants leg my daughters witnessed a bloody mess.
The restaurant owner wanted to call an ambulance, I settled for a medical kit and fixed my bloody stump up in the bathroom…I filled the garbage with bloody bandages….lol
Finished with story, a week later I had Achilles Tendinitis…the trauma to my chin bone might have caused this???

If your shin bone flexed (bowed forward) and your calf muscles were contracted or did contract, there could have been a pretty good yank on the Achilles tendon within the sheaf it runs thru. I think the two times my Achilles got hurt were both from doing sudden wind sprints without gradually working up to them over a period of days. Have to believe it was the abrupt yank on the tendon structure.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Zap-

Just watch a replay of a Rangers game every day.

Gallant’s coaching decisions and Lafrenière’s slow skating will upset your stomach so much you will forget your Achilles hurts.

The old hit your thumb with a hammer cure. I like it!
The OTC inserts for plantar fasciitis worked wonders for me (I know Zap has a different issue) . Don't knock the simple solution.
I agree with the warm up before activity and ice after school of thought. Rolling a frozen water bottle under my foot works well when needed.
Pain will always let you know when you do too much.
I agree you probably injured it in your fall.

 

[Rutgers1976]

This board is good on advice or help!
I’ve miraculously gone my whole life without a joint injury of any kind.
Played multiple sports at high levels including squash in my later years.
Never had a knee, ankle, wrist, shoulder or hip injury….ever.
All of a sudden I have an inflamed Achilles Tendon that according to my doctor after X Rays is not in jeopardy of rolling up on me.
I’m quite functional, I just can’t run.
Physical therapy makes it feel better but the swelling (which is obvious) when I compare my ankles is not going away.
I can play golf, carry my bag and still walk the dog…. No real issues.
Anyone ever dealt with this, I’ve been told by people Achilles Tendons are unlike any other tendon in your body, even if you rest it and do nothing it can stay inflamed.
God forbid I need a boot…..HELP

zap, I'm a professional in the field (podiatrist). Nothing good happens fast to achilles tendons. It's a good thing that it doesn't bother you while doing basic walking (stairs and hills notwithstanding). What I start patients off with is a pair of heel lifts (not cushions) which raise the heel bay a 1/4" or so to be use in all shoes. This takes some of the tension off of the tendon. Next, stay away from zero-drop shoes, an example of which is the old Chuck Taylor sneakers. That would include slippers and barefoot conditions at home.

I also have patient use a night splint--there are a zillion varieties--to wear in bed at night to apply passive stretch to the tendon. I'll check for other biomechanical abnormalities to rule out other influencers.

Stay clear of ice, unless you've been out for a walk or golf and it's sore afterwards, then 10-15 minutes of icing can be soothing. Ice otherwise slows the healing process--which is slow under teh best of circumstances.

As far as exercise--anthing that doesn't hurt while you're doing it is basically OK. Walking, elliptical exercisers can loosen up the stiffness without undue stress. Again, if it hurts while you're doing it beyond a little stiffness at the beginning or afterwards you shouldn't be doing it.

If it is warm and swollen, I'll sometimes prescribe a once a day antiinflammatory med to help out there.

Tincture of time--be patient, my friend. None of us are as young as we used to be. Feel free to DM if you have more specific questions.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Tincture of time--be patient, my friend. None of us are as young as we used to be.

I'm definitely not as young as I was yesterday!!!

 

[greenknight]

Got new Hoka sneakers which definitely help.
I need to go a step further and get inserts
I don’t know what rest is?
Does it mean no walking?

You'll probably end up going to place in East/West Orange by the Vets hospital after you go to foot orthopedist . That's where my daughter ended up going to be fitted for orthitics. The place is big into artificial limbs forget the name. They do the foot forms in foam there and have the orthotic inserts back in like 3 weeks.

Stretching achilllies every morning doesnt help?
Has to be alot like Plantar facilitis which I had brutally for like 6 months changed my shoes up and it slowly went away as the inflammation eased up

 

[greenknight]

Buddy of mine tore his achillies 2nd game of softball had surgery the next day than tore it again in therapy like 2 months later had surgery again

 

[RU_87]

This board is good on advice or help!
I’ve miraculously gone my whole life without a joint injury of any kind.
Played multiple sports at high levels including squash in my later years.
Never had a knee, ankle, wrist, shoulder or hip injury….ever.
All of a sudden I have an inflamed Achilles Tendon that according to my doctor after X Rays is not in jeopardy of rolling up on me.
I’m quite functional, I just can’t run.
Physical therapy makes it feel better but the swelling (which is obvious) when I compare my ankles is not going away.
I can play golf, carry my bag and still walk the dog…. No real issues.
Anyone ever dealt with this, I’ve been told by people Achilles Tendons are unlike any other tendon in your body, even if you rest it and do nothing it can stay inflamed.
God forbid I need a boot…..HELP

Get yourself on Glucosomine/ Chodroitin / MSM. Make sure you take it religiously for at least 3 straight weeks and possibly 5 weeks before it kicks in. Although more for the joint it does something with the fluids in your joints that will help the inflammation of the tendon. First time I tried it, I gave up on it after a couple of weeks. A year or so later I decided to retry it. After 3 weeks my issue (knees and knuckles from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu post many years of hockey, etc) improved and got better. During pandemic, I stopped taking it and my issues slowly came back. Taking it again the past few weeks and again getting back to normal.

 

[zappaa]

Buddy of mine tore his achillies 2nd game of softball had surgery the next day than tore it again in therapy like 2 months later had surgery again

What movement was he doing when he tore it the first time?
Was he in motion like going first to third, or was it fast twitch getting a jump movement on a batted ball?

 

[greenknight]

What movement was he doing when he tore it the first time?
Was he in motion like going first to third, or was it fast twitch getting a jump movement on a batted ball?

Running for ball in the outfield think it happened as soon as he pushed off. Dropped like a sack of potatoes

 

[greenknight]

Running for ball in the outfield think it happened as soon as he pushed off. Dropped like a sack of potatoes

Thay was me in motion snapping my left hammy like adumbass I tried playing 3 more games and got pulled after 1st or 2nd inning all 3 games. It was my stride leg batting and it would snap in the middle of swing. Finally said I'm done they had 9 guys and begged me to play. Played 1st ball in the hole went down to get had no stability in left leg and right leg went out straight my whole body weight over that one and tore that one from back of knee to ***.

I have to be the only idior that tore both hammys in 3 weeks. ***** to get to work had to recline seat all the way back and peak above steering wheel for 2 plus weeks. The cushion on seat felt like knife going into both hammys

 

[zappaa]

Thay was me in motion snapping my left hammy like adumbass I tried playing 3 more games and got pulled after 1st or 2nd inning all 3 games. It was my stride leg batting and it would snap in the middle of swing. Finally said I'm done they had 9 guys and begged me to play. Played 1st ball in the hole went down to get had no stability in left leg and right leg went out straight my whole body weight over that one and tore that one from back of knee to ***.

I have to be the only idior that tore both hammys in 3 weeks. ***** to get to work had to recline seat all the way back and peak above steering wheel for 2 plus weeks. The cushion on seat felt like knife going into both hammys

Hilarious.
Two pulled hamstrings at once is classic….invalid status

 

[mildone_rivals]

Hilarious.
Two pulled hamstrings at once is classic….invalid status

It is kind of funny, but brings back bad memories, kind of...

The most painful normal injury (from sports) I ever had was a bad hamstring tear. As with most injuries, the pain was at it's worst during that first night after the injury.

I was trying to sleep, but it hurt too much when I lay the leg against the mattress, from the contact pressure. And of course it hurt even more if I tried to lift it off the mattress. I wound up crawling downstairs, loading some zip-lock bags with ice, crawling back upstairs with the ice and then packing the whole leg in ice using bath towels which allowed me to sleep, once the leg numbed up, with it propped up on pillows.

The back of my leg was solid black within a couple days. Was 3 months before I could walk without pain, 6 months before I run. Nearly a year before I was 100%.

I've had so many other sports injuries, broken bones, torn ligaments, muscle tears, across the years, I've lost track. If you're not getting hurt, you're not playing hard enough, is my motto. LOL

I've had more painful and problematic injuries than that torn hamstring. But not from sports (although some have been made worse over time from sports).

 

[zappaa]

It is kind of funny, but brings back bad memories, kind of...

The most painful normal injury (from sports) I ever had was a bad hamstring tear. As with most injuries, the pain was at it's worst during that first night after the injury.

I was trying to sleep, but it hurt too much when I lay the leg against the mattress, from the contact pressure. And of course it hurt even more if I tried to lift it off the mattress. I wound up crawling downstairs, loading some zip-lock bags with ice, crawling back upstairs with the ice and then packing the whole leg in ice using bath towels which allowed me to sleep, once the leg numbed up, with it propped up on pillows.

The back of my leg was solid black within a couple days. Was 3 months before I could walk without pain, 6 months before I run. Nearly a year before I was 100%.

I've had so many other sports injuries, broken bones, torn ligaments, muscle tears, across the years, I've lost track. If you're not getting hurt, you're not playing hard enough, is my motto. LOL

I've had more painful and problematic injuries than that torn hamstring. But not from sports (although some have been made worse over time from sports).

I had one torn hamstring in my life very early in my career…I was black and blue from behind knee to my ***.
From that day forward whenever I hear someone has “a hammy” my immediate reaction is they’re done.
There’s no chance you can play through a torn hamstring….impossible.
I don’t care how many injections or how much horse liniment you put on.

 

[Ronnie_B]

I had one torn hamstring in my life very early in my career…I was black and blue from behind knee to my ***.
From that day forward whenever I hear someone has “a hammy” my immediate reaction is they’re done.
There’s no chance you can play through a torn hamstring….impossible.
I don’t care how many injections or how much horse liniment you put on.

I remember the first time a popped my hammy playing basketball, I was like ehhhh, just stretch it a little and it'll be fine......I was so young and foolish then.

 

[mildone_rivals]

I had one torn hamstring in my life very early in my career…I was black and blue from behind knee to my ***.
From that day forward whenever I hear someone has “a hammy” my immediate reaction is they’re done.
There’s no chance you can play through a torn hamstring….impossible.
I don’t care how many injections or how much horse liniment you put on.

I've played through some mild strains (wee tiny tears) in hamstrings and groin muscles and calf muscles. But yeah, do a real bad one, and it's over for a while.

And when I did play through those minor ones, more often than not, they became worse and I wound up out for longer than I would've been had I just rested and rehabbed in the first place instead of stupidly continuing to play. Ah... youth. LOL

 

[Caliknight]

Finally trying the 100% ZERO pain and rest regimen.
I’ve been walking my dog and walking the golf course with a compromised gate and a tendon pain of around 3…which is completely tolerable, but it’s not getting better.
Going with the one mile an hour, slow, no pain or stress on tendon…see if that reduces the swelling.
A few months ago, I had a violent fall in a Montclair parking lot.
I have a really fast paced walk, while going full speed looking for the back entrance to a restaurant, I hit a two foot high guard rail at ramming speed…the impact would have snapped and broken the leg of the average man my age…I suffered 3 separate puncture wounds on my chin that probably all could have used stitches.
When I made my way into the restaurant my hands were bleeding from the fall, when I lifted my pants leg my daughters witnessed a bloody mess.
The restaurant owner wanted to call an ambulance, I settled for a medical kit and fixed my bloody stump up in the bathroom…I filled the garbage with bloody bandages….lol
Finished with story, a week later I had Achilles Tendinitis…the trauma to my chin bone might have caused this???

The restaurant story is cracking me up

 

[mildone_rivals]

I remember the first time a popped my hammy playing basketball, I was like ehhhh, just stretch it a little and it'll be fine......I was so young and foolish then.

I've done those mild pulls numerous times. But when you really tear it good, you're done for a long while. Even walking is nearly impossible for a week or so, and you're painfully limping for a long time.

 

[zappaa]

I've done those mild pulls numerous times. But when you really tear it good, you're done for a long while. Even walking is nearly impossible for a week or so, and you're painfully limping for a long time.

I think your leg turning black, blue and yellow is a good indicator of the severity of the injury
My rehab was a lot of backwards walking

 

[mildone_rivals]

I think your leg turning black, blue and yellow is a good indicator of the severity of the injury
My rehab was a lot of backwards walking

Yep. I can actually feel ghost pain, in my butt cheek, as I write about it now. LOL



And no, all you wiseasses out there. It is NOT because I'm sitting on a fence post.

 

[zappaa]

Yep. I can actually feel ghost pain, in my butt cheek, as I write about it now. LOL



And no, all you wiseasses out there. It is NOT because I'm sitting on a fence post.

Mine was torn low about 3 inches above my knee.
I can still feel the knot.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

I had one torn hamstring in my life very early in my career…I was black and blue from behind knee to my ***.
From that day forward whenever I hear someone has “a hammy” my immediate reaction is they’re done.
There’s no chance you can play through a torn hamstring….impossible.
I don’t care how many injections or how much horse liniment you put on.

I tore one waterskiing when I was about 25. Same deal. Black and blue from knee to ***. Had to sleep on my stomach packed in ice for days. Wouldn't wish that one on anybody. Wasn't 100% for nearly a year.