Achilles tendonitis
kaimag11
Posts: 31
Has anyone suffer from this problem. if you have, how long before you got better. Any other advice on how and why i got this condition and how to prevent in the future would be great.
thanks
thanks
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6-8 weeks if you're lucky? See a physio, get some excentric exercises, and some ice maybe....and pray, cross your fingers etc.....and work out how you got it and dont do it again?0
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Various steroids can be helpful in knocking down the pain and inflammation. See your doctor.0
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I've had AT on and off for over two years now.
Mine is due to running rather than cycling. I think my case was quite bad though as from what I've read most people recover in a few weeks, although the achilles can be a very slow healing tendon.
I'd recommend seeing a sport's physio first to make sure that it really is AT. They can also check for muscle imbalances etc. and give you specific stengthening and flexibility routines.
Mine was caused because my feet overpronate (the arch collapses excessively when running). This could be the cause of yours, in which case the physio might recommend some insoles to support your foot when pedalling.
The most effective exercise to rehabilitate the tendon according to my physio is the calf raise programme by Alfredson (outlined here http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/achilles-tendonitis-1.html
Basically it involves going onto tiptoes, then lowering your heels slowly, progressing to the point where you are doing them one-legged with your heels off a step.
I hope some of this helps, but I'd really encourage you to see a sports injury specialist. Good luck!0 -
It took 18 months to heal mine completely, mainly because I was an impatient idiot and would not rest it for long enough before running/cycling on it again.
The achilles has a relatively low blood volume flowing through hence the reason it takes a long time to heal.
Had good results with Ibuprofen Gel, ICE (Ice,Compression,Elevation) and Acupuncture
DONT BE HASTY
Good luck !0 -
This is a b*stard, and tricky to fix.
If it's sore and swollen right now you need to hit it with the usual RICE approach - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Also try some NSAIDs, ibuprofen for example, until the swelling goes down a little. (Taking a lot of these on a long term basis is apparently not advised.)
I had this when I played rugby at school but recently I have suffered a bit the last two winters. The first time was the first winter I tried to do a bit of proper cycle training. That time what made it flair up was definitely a case of too much too soon, after 4 weeks off the bike I went out and rode a 60 mile club run and before I got home it was already sore and starting to swell.
I had 4 physio sessions including ultrasound, electrical inference and massage. I was also told to perform eccentric exercises - heel drops on a step - two or three times a day. It was 2-3 months before it started feeling close to normal again. It takes a long time to heal because blood flow to tendons is very low.
What age are you? AFAIK this problem can be an age associated degenerative condition too (I'm almost 34). Currently my achilles is OK, but I don't think it'll ever be back to 100%. It'll be a bit stiff first thing in the morning
, but never swollen or sore. I find it stays in best condition if I keep it warm (no shorts or short socks in winter) and I train consistently, regularly and only build up mileage/intensity gradually. Stretching certainly helps too.
Good luck!0 -
Thanks for all you replys. Going to doctor soon as. I,am 46, but i think the cause is, i have up my time on the bike by 50% over a short period of time.0
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I had this about 5 years ago - the doc said there are normally only ever two causes: overuse (i.e. big increase in training) or change in footwear. In my case it was brought about by new walking boots which I wore to walk the dog!
Just make sure that it is the additional training that has done this and not new shoes - cycling ones or otherwise.0
