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dpworkin's avatar

Two very tender and sore Achilles tendons. What to do?

Asked by dpworkin (27090points) January 31st, 2010

I have injured both Achilles tendons (running in soft-heeled shoes?) and have been off my feet and icing them for the last 3 days, but it is still very painful to walk. Tomorrow it’s back to school for me, and that means a lot of walking! Any advice?

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11 Answers

janbb's avatar

Do you have hiking boots with a higher, firmer heel to wear tomorrow? My day hikers with good heels help my feet feel a lot better. The best anti-inflammatory I’ve found for muscle and tendon aches is ibuprofen; 600 milligrams every 5–6 hours. I have also read about alternating icing with heat; you might try looking on webmd.com for other ideas.

dpworkin's avatar

I have been doing both ice and heat, thanks, but I am unable to take NSAIDS. I have picked out my boots for tomorrow. I was hoping someone would know an arcane secret. I guess not.

janbb's avatar

Removed by moi.

marinelife's avatar

Perhaps go see a sports injury practitioner. For some electrical treatment.

“Treatment

The first thing to do is to cut back your training. If you are working out twice a day, change to once a day and take one or two days off per week. If you are working out every day cut back to every other day and decrease your mileage. Training modification is essential to treatment of this
“...Training modification is essential.”

potentially long lasting problem. You should also cut back on hill work and speed work. Post running ice may also help. Be sure to avoid excessive stretching. The first phase of healing should be accompanied by relative rest, which doesn’t necessarily mean stopping running, but as I am emphasizing, a cut back in training. If this does not help quickly, consider the use of a ¼ inch heel lift can also help. Do not start worrying if you will become dependent on this, concentrate on getting rid of the pain. Don’t walk barefoot around your house, avoid excessively flat shoes, such as “sneakers”, tennis shoes, cross trainers, etc.

In office treatment would initially consist of the use of the physical therapy modalities of electrical stimulation, (HVGS, high voltage galvanic stimulation), and ultrasound. Your sports medicine physician should also carefully check your shoes. A heel lift can also be used and control of excessive pronation by taping can also be incorporated into a program of achilles tendonitis rehabilitation therapy. Orthotics with a small heel lift are often helpful.”

Source

dpworkin's avatar

Oh, I can’t even walk, much less run. This is really painful. I have cut back to lying in bed.

marinelife's avatar

@dpworkin “In office treatment would initially consist of the use of the physical therapy modalities of electrical stimulation, (HVGS, high voltage galvanic stimulation), and ultrasound. Your sports medicine physician should also carefully check your shoes. A heel lift can also be used and control of excessive pronation by taping can also be incorporated into a program of achilles tendonitis rehabilitation therapy. Orthotics with a small heel lift are often helpful.””

Sounds like you are needing help!

dpworkin's avatar

If only I had health insurance, and an income!

faye's avatar

Tiger Balm, available everywhere now but maybe the best might come from a health food store. It’s not expensive and helps my arthritis.

Jeruba's avatar

For the short term, does your campus have jitneys for the aid of students who have temporary mobility problems?

DrC's avatar

Don’t mess with tendonitis of the achilles tendons. It might be easier if you were wearing high heels because you don’t extend your tendons (but that is probably not an option for you). Otherwise, ice, rest, ice, rest, ice, rest, ice, rest, and more of the same. Sometimes people can take NSAIDS if they take Pepcid or Zantac to prevent gastritis. I know this sounds drastic, but what about a wheelchair or crutches? Go to your student Health Center.

dpworkin's avatar

I am staying off my feet until Monday morning, except to walk the dog, bathe, etc.

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