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edge
Nov 15, 2012, 7:34 AM
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Registered: Apr 14, 2003
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About 5 months ago I began noticing a light pain in my right achilles tendon when I was walking, particularly on hills with a pack on. At the time I was climbing outdoors 2-3 times a week with a 20 minute moderately steep approach.
After a week or two the pain remained, and in looking at the rear of my foot I noticed a slight "bump" in the achilles tendon, protruding maybe 3/8" from normal and 1 1/2" long top to bottom. I google image searched and confirmed, certain enough for my needs, my initial thought of Achilles Tendonitis.
I began RICE, although cheated a bit on the rest part. I continued climbing 2 times/wk, but otherwise kept it rested, iced (2X/day), compressed (neoprene ankle sock folded over at the top to further compress the tendon), elevation (foot on the ottoman watching Sports Center), and treating topically with arnica gel and Iron Hand liniment 2X/day.
Bottom line is that the rock season was going so well, and I was able to remain climbing at a high level and put up a dozen or so FAs, that I have been trying to just "stabilize" the injury (my term, nothing medical about it.)
My hope is that I can add complete rest for a month or three once winter shuts down the rock season. For anyone with experience with this type of injury, will this be enough for complete recovery? How long did it take you to recover? Are PT type excersizes beneficial during or after healing? Any insight appreciated.
The images below were taken this morning. Presumably safe for work, assuming you have no foot fetish inclinations.
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amarius
Nov 15, 2012, 1:23 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Registered: Feb 23, 2012
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Keep in mind - it is all subjective
I had similar injury, self diagnosed, of course. Wasn't as bad as the one in pictures.
I took 3 months off running, switched to different exercising - elliptical, biking, and stepper. For PT used stretching and eccentric exercises - that is weighted heel lowering. NSAIDs did not appear to help. Instead I was kneading in (for lack of better words) some IcyHot - it stinks and burns, must be good?
I did not elevate nor did I ice - not a choice, just couldn't really imagine doing that at work.
At the end of 3 months, started running again adding a few minutes each week.
IIRC, at the end of year I was back to my running routine with acceptable levels of discomfort next morning - first steps down the stairs first thing in the morning are not that pleasant.
In my experience - forcing the correct stepping motion is the hardest when Achilles is hurting, but you've got to do it.
Best luck
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dynobelay
Nov 15, 2012, 1:46 PM
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Registered: Sep 9, 2003
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Well, my bump was noticeably bigger than yours. But then I ignored it for a lot longer. The achilles tendon is rather difficult to heal, especially if you are past middle age. If you think it will just go away, it doesn't, and the bump (swelling) just gets bigger.
It commonly tightens up overnight, so your 1st steps in the morning are achey and stiff.
You can find out a lot about this common malady on the internet. Or see a Dr. or P.T. Rest, ant-inflamatories (ibuprophen). I also worn a theraputic boot to bed to keep the tendon from contracting. But then again I torn my tendon noticeably so my initial injury was probably worse.
Winter (the off season) is a very good time to get it to heal. My bump went away and I don't have any pain. But, if I have a hard day of hiking, etc. the next morning I still have those 1st few stiff steps. At my age it will probably always be so.
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edge
Nov 16, 2012, 8:28 AM
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Registered: Apr 14, 2003
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Bump for further thoughts from other cankle Quasimodos.
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smallclimber
Nov 16, 2012, 8:36 AM
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Registered: Nov 11, 2003
Posts: 300
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Achillies Tendonitis is very hard to get rid of. I got this back in May, and have no idea how I did it as I was not doing any running, hiking, climbing etc. I just noticed a slight pain on back of left foot, assumed it would go away. Three months later it was much worse so went to Dr and then podiatrist. Had cortisone injection and they wrapped it up for a week. Slightly improved, but has worsened again since. I essentially don't do any exercise these days - certainly no running, climbing or hiking. Just walking around the house, at work etc. I also have pain in my big toe and ball of foot - which I think are compensatory based on changing my walk to try and help the heel.
So its been a real bummer for me, 6 months now of limping, some days really pronounced limping. I know treatment includes rest, but I can't exactly rest any more, I can't not "walk to the car" or around the house and thats all I'm doing.
Hopefully you will fare better than me!
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maghold_messner
Mar 30, 2013, 8:30 AM
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Registered: Mar 30, 2013
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I have been dealing with this since October of 2012.Achilles can be many different problems, but tendonitis is most common. It usually happens from overuse. However, it can also be caused by a weak or strained calf muscle; doing too much too fast, like when your body isn't ready for that much work, or just, again, simple overusage. I went to my physician and a podiatrist he reffered me to. He told me to do the whole R.I.C.E. thing, but to also work on a plethora of stretches, especially on the calf muscle. It looks like your problem is wors ethan mine, because you have calcification and scar tissue forming ( causing the bump). My suggestion is to se a doctor. If you must exercise, at least look at getting some good shoe insrts. I was prescribed shoe inserts, custom, but I used a pair of superfeet ( which I stole from my mountaineering boots) until the custom ones arrived. I found that wearing the insoles ( superfeet) made a huge difference.
I hope this helps. Also, until my achilles was better, I stuck to elliptical machines and such, which allowed me to use resistance and jack the elevation up. It can be frustrating to be a climber and deal with doctors, as they are used to dealing with basketball and football players. If you do go to the doctor, make sure and be very specific about being a climber. I even wrote down my training regimen to show my doctor so they could work better with my needs. Also, consider working with a sports medicine doctor or trainer.
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