Achilles injury

AndyRubio

Hi,

I did a 120-mile audax on Sunday (which became 135 miles), it was my first long ride for 18 months. All is well with my body, no aches or pains etc, except for my right achilles which burns. I've just been out for my first ride of the week, I lasted 4 mins before turning back, such was the intensity of the pain.

I blame my inactivity and possibly the cross bike I used which isn't quite set up how I like it, different geometry etc. (So I'll be using my normal road bike for future events.)

I've done a search on achilles for this forum already, read a few useful posts, but I'm wondering how long I might be out for? I'm going to the physio tomorrow afternoon..

There's another audax on Sunday which I really want to do but more importantly I don't want to mess up yet another year with illness/injury.

Cheers,
Andy

ut_och_cykla

Physio is a good idea! Sounds like an ovreuse injury (compared to what you're used to) but could be a set up issue too. Ice until you see someone ? and take it from there ; adress bike fit issues whilst you're under rehab! Good luck!

keef66

Standard first aid advice: rest it, elevated, and apply ice (well wrapped so you don't burn yourself)

You could alternatively try alternating hot and cold compresses (10 mins each way) which some claim stimulates circulation and hence healing.

Also try ibuprofen for pain relief and more importantly reducing inflammation.

If it's a tear rather than over-use, it may take a while to mend fully

Jeff Jones

Wot keef66 said. I'd add strapping/pressure bandage to reduce the pain when walking, then stretching after a few weeks, then strengthening exercises.

I'm no expert but if it was still sore after a week off then it sounds more like a tear than an overuse injury. Depending on the grade of the tear, it can take up to 10 wks to heal properly.

I tore my soleus muscle (grade 2 tear) early last year and it was 3 months before it was fine to train and race normally on. In the meantime I had about 4wks off the bike in total, although not all in one go. Because I'd missed the early R.I.C.E treatment, there wasn't much I could do. Eventually I found out the correct stretch to do (no thanks to my physio!) and it improved very quickly after that.

I was able to keep riding and even racing during that time but it frustrated the hell out of me, because I saw the fitness I'd built up through winter slowly ebb away.

If you want a proper diagnosis, go to a decent physio. If they're not sure they may recommend an MRI scan, which is expensive but will tell you the extent of the damage and thus how long it will take to heal.

thefosterkid

My Achilles Tendon started playing up on Thursday last week before an interval training session and has gradually gotten worse. I managed a hour forty five ride on Sunday but woke on Monday barley able to walk. I've read some worrying net info saying it could be peritonitis? I'm due to race in 12 days. What can I do?

ratsbeyfus

I on't know if you've seen this forum I started, but it had a lot of useful info in it...



http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=15868599#15868599

I hope it gets better soon... I'm still waiting to see a specialist.

Lady Venom

Ice and heat - not at the same time but ice to keep the swelling down and heat (deep heat pads or hot water bottle) to enourage blood to move to the Achilles to help mend it. Stretch as well - stand with the ball of your feet on a step and drop your heels down until you get a stretch. Massage as well. Shouldn't be too long - I assume you can walk on it?

antfly

If it doesn`t get better in a few weeks don`t bother with physios or orthaepedic surgeons ask to see a specialist foot surgeon. I had permanent achilles pain for years which came on suddenly after water skiing and left me semi-crippled and never got better whatever treatment I had because it wasn`t diagnosed correctly by several orthaepedic surgeons and physios, they just kept saying it would get better so come back in 6 weeks. I eventually got referred to a foot specialist surgeon who took one look and said "Haglund`s deformity", which is too much bone in the heel that pushes on the tendon and damages it. I was operated on to remove the excess bone and the bursar in the heel and now i`m pretty much pain free. I think it`s quite a rare condition but I thought i`d mention it just in case.

Lady Venom

antfly wrote:

If it doesn`t get better in a few weeks don`t bother with physios or orthaepedic surgeons ask to see a specialist foot surgeon. I had permanent achilles pain for years which came on suddenly after water skiing and left me semi-crippled and never got better whatever treatment I had because it wasn`t diagnosed correctly by several orthaepedic surgeons and physios, they just kept saying it would get better so come back in 6 weeks. I eventually got referred to a foot specialist surgeon who took one look and said "Haglund`s deformity", which is too much bone in the heel that pushes on the tendon and damages it. I was operated on to remove the excess bone and the bursar in the heel and now i`m pretty much pain free. I think it`s quite a rare condition but I thought i`d mention it just in case.

I have Haglunds too - 2 years of agony! I didn't go with the op, am just careful with footwear and stretch a LOT. Can be caused by overstrong calf muscles pulling the heel plate out of place (in my case) which left me with the deformity (happened whilst in junior school). Occasionally get my achilles playing up (if I wear really stiff boots at work for example).

ut_och_cykla

thefosterkid wrote:

My Achilles Tendon started playing up on Thursday last week before an interval training session and has gradually gotten worse. I managed a hour forty five ride on Sunday but woke on Monday barley able to walk. I've read some worrying net info saying it could be peritonitis? I'm due to race in 12 days. What can I do?

Not sure what you should do about your achilles apart from see a physio ASAP - but as peritonitis is to do with the membrane around your guts I think its highly unlikely it is linked to achilles problems!

thehairs1970

Ask your doctor to refer you for physio. As you probably have an acute injury, many NHS physio departments will see you quicker. Physios also love to 'get their hands on' people who want to rehab quickly as they know you'll follow the protocols.

Martyn

antfly

Lady Venom wrote:

antfly wrote:

If it doesn`t get better in a few weeks don`t bother with physios or orthaepedic surgeons ask to see a specialist foot surgeon. I had permanent achilles pain for years which came on suddenly after water skiing and left me semi-crippled and never got better whatever treatment I had because it wasn`t diagnosed correctly by several orthaepedic surgeons and physios, they just kept saying it would get better so come back in 6 weeks. I eventually got referred to a foot specialist surgeon who took one look and said "Haglund`s deformity", which is too much bone in the heel that pushes on the tendon and damages it. I was operated on to remove the excess bone and the bursar in the heel and now i`m pretty much pain free. I think it`s quite a rare condition but I thought i`d mention it just in case.

I have Haglunds too - 2 years of agony! I didn't go with the op, am just careful with footwear and stretch a LOT. Can be caused by overstrong calf muscles pulling the heel plate out of place (in my case) which left me with the deformity (happened whilst in junior school). Occasionally get my achilles playing up (if I wear really stiff boots at work for example).

It`s nice to meet a fellow sufferer {i`m sorry you`ve got it of course}. You`re the first person i`ve encountered who has even heard of it. The op was a no-brainer for me as I was in a bad way.

evilollie

i cycle without a cruciate in my right knee & also suffered a grade 3 tear of my MCL , so its possible it will heal in time

i cycle pain free , so i reckon with time you will be fine

Rutlandblue

Strained my achilles playing football. Pyhsio advice was heat and stretching of tendon to increase blood flow. I'd get advice before you act on anything here, well intentioned as it might be, we are all different. Good luck

evilollie

Yeah forgot my protocol .. Iced for the swelling ... Then as suggested heat to encourage blood flow

with Achilles strains personally I hate that gritty feeling you get with movement .
There is some good YouTube videos , which show you how to tape your Achilles to alleviate pressure on it p