Achilles tendonitis (Read 948 times)

I've been battling an "ankle" injury since mid March '07. Back in June '06 I took a horrible rollerblading fall and hurt my ankle. I never got it looked at, just went about as usual and let it heal up...or so I thought. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that may be the reason, or at least a major contributor, to the problem that I'm having now. I've seen a pediotrist who's referred me to a PT and I'm currently doing stretches with him for this (along with hip issues...related? Not sure.) Thing is, I've been calling this ankle pain, but I think maybe I should be calling this achilles pain. I've called it ankle pain because when I'm running, the ankle can't flex as much as it should due to pain. This morning I noticed the pain starts more above my heel and goes 1/2 up my calf. When I press on both sides of my ankle bone, though, there's tenderness too. When I go out on my runs, it initially hurts up to about 1 1/4 - 2 miles but then I'm able to run ok on it w/o pain. If I feel anything, it might be a really minor "ghost-like" background ache but nothing that would stop me from running. And even if it's not currently hurting, I'll take a walk along the beach, for example, and drag my foot in the sand (so the top of my toes are on the sand) and it kills. Doesn't hurt when I'm walking normal, but moving my ankle in more than minor "normal" angles brings out the pain. I took the fall in June '06 but didn't really start tinkering with the running (run/walk/run a bit) until October '06. That would have given it a little over 3 months to recover. I recently got custom orthotics and they seem to be comfortable/ working out well. I've also cut my miles back down to only a few at a time, and I run like a snail. I'll mention this next PT visit, but does anyone have experience with AT? Words of advice? Anything I should ask the PT/ have done?

Wish I could help, Joni. Does it consistently hurt/feel tight in the morning when you first wake up ?

Thanks Cheryl! No, it doesn't. Infact, it never hurts in the morning. (Although I have to take a few steps outta bed before both my feet "work right"! Ha!) It hurt awhile yesterday when I first started out running and then it ached after, which prompted my post. Today I'm fine, although if I ran again today I don't know how it'd be. Just irritating enough to not allow me to fully concentrate on building my base, you know!? The more I'm reading about AT I'm thinking that's more of what's going on with me. But the disappearing after I warm up a mile or two puzzles me.

Ughhhhhhhhhhh wish I could be of some help, but I've never *knock on wood* had any problems with my AT. HOWEVER the ligament on top of my foot going up my ankle gets tight so I've been stretching that. (((HUGS))) Joni, I sure hope you get it figured out and fixed!!

Thanks so much Pam! I really appreciate it. I can't believe how well you're doing with running/ your ankle! That is great!!!

I hate it when people I know who love to run, can't do it as much or the way the would like to due to an injury. I also feel guilty for bouncing back like I've done and keep waiting for it to bite me in the butt and teach me a lesson.

I know! I feel the same way. But you definately shouldn't ever feel guilty. I think it's great that you're doing so well. Let's hope things stay that way!

Ok I've got my sports injury book out and I'm checking out achilles tendon. It asks if the tendon feels stiff first thing in the morning, and on starting exercise. It also asks when you stand on your toes barefoot, the tendon hurts then eases. However, it remains very sore to touch.It then states the cause is almost invariably friction from shoes with high backs, or heal tabs.It says i ftheir is no spasm causing pain higher up where the tendon joins the calf muscle you can keep running and that it will naturally feel stiff during the first part of your workout then easing up. Oh it also says another possibility is worn down insowls in shoes. Hope this helps at least a little.

Hmm. Well, maybe that's what the stiffness is in the a.m. ..but there's definately no pain, and it's only literally the first few steps I take outta bed. It's also both ankles..or achilles areas... which is weird; only the left hurts when I run. But I'm glad that you and Cheryl mentioned this because I will include that when I speak with the PT; wouldn't have even thought about the stiffness in the morning! It doesn't hurt when I stand on my toes barefoot....and I do calf raises regularly. I'll have to pay attention to the heels on my shoes, but I've been through about 3 pairs since I've been having the problem. And the orthotics are new, but the cushioning on the front is already smashed down....another thing I'll have to ask about. I've also read that doing too much too soon can cause it, but like I said, I'm down to a few slow miles. I told my PT if I go any lower, I'll be standing in one position doing nothing! Ha! So it DOES say that it'll ease up after you start running. What stinks is that I find as I try to increase the distance of my runs, it gets worse. It's either stay at very few miles and slow or more pain. Argggg I'll bet AT is what's going on with me. Thanks for your efforts Pam! I realllllly appreciate it! I'll update the next time I speak with the PT.

Great news, Joni!!! So happy that you are moving in the right direction!