runnerguy
Walker
Registered: 03/14/09
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions on dealing with an achilles injury other than rest which I am doing. I've seen a doc about it and he suggested stretching in gently. I'm having pain down near the insertion point on the heel that radiates to the outside. It really only hurts when I run so I've been biking/swimming to try to stay in shape but not running is driving me crazy. Thanks. |
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jc
Walker
Registered: 07/06/09
Posts: 5
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Reply with quote | #2 |
I feel your pain - I have had an issues with the same thing for the better part of 2 years - saw Jeff Willers, M.D. at Elite Sports at Baptist Hospital- he is fellowship trained foot and ankle guy - anyway, major causes are age, running too hard on too many hills and made worse by not stretching enough - use ice, alternating ice/heat to increase blood flow to an area that does not get good circulation to hasten healing, Advil (up to 2400 mg per day), and of course rest - went to physical therapy for while to get some specific exercises, some of which you can do while sitting at a desk at work - also do some additional stretches found on line - just when you think you have it licked it comes back, so beware - there is not much else you can do except the typical cross training things that do not cause pain - you can wear an orthopedic boot to stretch the tendon a bit so it does not contract when you sit around - in that I do not want to sleep in the boot I use a large ace bandage to wrap it in a normal position before bedtime to keep it from contracting overnight and this seems to help a lot - when you google it you will find that it is probably the most common running injury and is difficult to treat - do not let some primary care doc inject you with some form of cortisone per Dr. Willers - he has had to repair some that rupture due to that treatment -
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oldman
Racer
Registered: 07/19/07
Posts: 609
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Try a heel lift in your shoe, doesn't take much. I'd try the blood platelet infusion therapy that Andrew talked about. Or if you can't make it to that DR, lots of self massage of the affected area to increase the blood flow.
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"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, pizza in one hand, beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ Holy Sh*t what a ride!"
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runnerguy
Walker
Registered: 03/14/09
Posts: 4
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jss
Walker
Registered: 05/22/08
Posts: 11
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Reply with quote | #5 |
You might also check out http://www.ultrunr.com/achilles.html
I had an Achilles problem a while back and figured if anyone had experienced a problem it would be an ultra-runner--scroll down to leg injuries (or anything else you want to read about) and there's a string on Achilles tendon injuries. I tried the suggested supplement regimen of lysine, glycine, and glucosamine-sulfate too (in addition to ice, rest, etc.)--I asked around because I ordinarily would not take internet advice about ingested supplements from strangers, but I found the contributors to the ultra-running site possessed enough science background (biochemist-types, etc.) that I didn't think it was the same thing as a high school kid at a GNC store. The supplements may have helped--may not have--didn't hurt me though--other than a few bucks out of my wallet--and I healed just fine. Another cheaper alternative, already suggested, is a heel raise--you can get something called a "Tuli Cup" from any drug store--just a simple insert into your shoes to raise your heel enough to take the pressure off the Achilles. Just remember to use a cup in each heel (even the non-affected Achilles) so you are evenly balanced.
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Grady
Racer
Registered: 07/20/07
Posts: 808
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Reply with quote | #6 |
If you pronate, it's possible that the twisting inward when your foot lands is aggravating the problem. Step forward with running shoes on and see if that foot is sort of rolling inward when you put your weight down. If it does, you can stop the rolling inward by adding a small lift to the inside of the heel only. Remove the insert. Take a strip of felt and cut it about two inches long and a half inch wide. Attach it with duct tape along the inside of the heel under the insert. The put the insert in your shoe and step forward again. The rolling should be less pronounced. If you don't have a piece of fabric felt, you can use anything... a piece of an old file folder, folder paper, etc. I also add a piece or two of felt under the arch, which also helps prevent the arch from collapsing, leading to the foot rolling in, which leads to twisting the Achilles tendon.
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Balance in life is over-rated. Just fit everything around running. |
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Chris
Plodder
Registered: 04/10/09
Posts: 49
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Quote: Originally Posted by jss
I tried the suggested supplement regimen of lysine, glycine, and glucosamine-sulfate too (in addition to ice, rest, etc.)
This method, and a new pair of shoes got me back out in one week. I suspect it was mostly the rest and shoes, but I'm going to continue the suppliments for a while, or at least until I run out.
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JeffE
Racer
Registered: 07/20/07
Posts: 695
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Reply with quote | #8 |
Five things (in no particular order) have worked for me in battling achilles tendinitis:
1. Stretching the hamstrings and hips.
2. Running in a minimalist shoe and striking more towards the midfoot and toe.
3. Massage therapy to break up scar tissue in the calf muscles and to loosen the tendons.
4. Hill sprints and plyometrics.
5. Eccentric calf raises.
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Chris
Plodder
Registered: 04/10/09
Posts: 49
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Quote: Originally Posted by JeffE
Five things (in no particular order) have worked for me in battling achilles tendinitis:
1. Stretching the hamstrings and hips.
2. Running in a minimalist shoe and striking more towards the midfoot and toe.
3. Massage therapy to break up scar tissue in the calf muscles and to loosen the tendons.
4. Hill sprints and plyometrics.
5. Eccentric calf raises.
Good points, Jeff. I failed to mention that I applied heat and used the poor man's massage therapy - The Stick
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runnerguy
Walker
Registered: 03/14/09
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #10 |
I'm going to Dr James Johnson on Monday for the blood platelet infusion therapy that Andrew talked about. It is kind of aggressive but Dr Johnson said I would most likely be back running in 2-3 weeks afterwards. He has performed it on many other runners and almost all have recovered in this amount of time. Without it, I could be looking at another 6 months off, no thanks.
I'm also buying new shoes just in case that is a contributing factor. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Andrew
10ker, board elite
Registered: 05/04/06
Posts: 1,122
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Reply with quote | #11 |
Quote: Originally Posted by runnerguy
I'm going to Dr James Johnson on Monday for the blood platelet infusion therapy that Andrew talked about. It is kind of aggressive but Dr Johnson said I would most likely be back running in 2-3 weeks afterwards. He has performed it on many other runners and almost all have recovered in this amount of time. Without it, I could be looking at another 6 months off, no thanks.
I'm also buying new shoes just in case that is a contributing factor. I'll let you know how it goes.
Good luck, you're in good hands!
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Pain is just weakness leaving the body.... |
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