Achilles tendonitis

[The Londoner]

Anyone here suffer from this? A bit of self diagnosis via Google suggests that the cure is rest but that's a bit dull. Any ideas and how do you stop it recurring?

[Selmer]

I had a touch of it in my right achilles when I was racing during 1994. It felt painful but not acute; more like a discomfort and 'creaking' if that makes any sense.
Once you have it though, rest is best -- but not too much! (one of those age-old dilemmas!!)
One thing I did find though was the type of footwear you choose when not riding can make a difference. Around the time mine came on it was de rigeur to have some type of grungy old Converse etc. I was walking into college some days and wearing them to travel to races and I think the move from 'normal', more supportive trainers to these flatter soles made the difference.
Just a theory.

[orgasmicliving!!]

RICER

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation (and some exercise)
Referral (to doctor)

Try this, it really works. Google for more details. Should help the tissue surrounding the tendon as well.

[StL-Al]

Last year I suffered that same hacksaw-blade-across-the-tendon-pain bought on from upping my running distances too much too soon. The pain got so intense that I could hardly walk, espically first thing in the morning when getting out of bed when it felt like the tendons had locked up.

The question I have, as you have posted this in the cycling forum, is did you get this from riding? The reason I ask is that I found switching from running to biking was the best thing for me - no more achillies pain as I guess that the tendons aren't under duress when on the bike, and meant that I didn't have to take weeks off to recover...

[orgasmicliving!!]

StL-Al, what kind of distances did you run? I am up to 1.2 miles a day, hoping to get to 2.

Edited by orgasmicliving!! on Friday 8th September 17:48

[StL-Al]

My game plan was to run 2006 St. Louis Marathon, which was held back in April - I was inspired by a friend who ran it in 2005, so April of '05 I started at 2miles (figured that was acceptable to my then level of fitness) with three days on, one day off , two days on, one day off then repeat cycle. With an increase in distance each week, with a longer run on Sundays.

By August I was running 13 milers, but I should had taken note of the uncomfortable feeling in my tendons from about June. By October 05, I had quit completely due to pain.

Looking back, my weekly distance increases were over the recommended 5%, hence leading me to believe that the reason I suffered from the tendonitis was the rapid distance increase. I was really focused on running a sub 3 hour marathon, which was a bit silly - I should have just focused on doing the distance first.

Being a bit retentive, I kept a spreadsheet of time and distance for each day I ran, and a few weeks I jumped as much as 15-20% (mainly due to long runs on Sundays).

I fully intend to complete a marathon at somepoint, but I am a little pre-occupied with bikes at the mo, espically as I pick up a new Allez tomorrow...(got to keep this topic forum specific somehow!)

[Locoblade]

I had achilles problems about 18 months ago, and unfortunately there's not much you can do other than usual rest etc, and it takes bloody ages to actually heal because there's sod all blood flow to that tendon (so my Doc told me).

I do think you need to gently exercise to help it along though, I rested for about 4 months trying to get rid of mine before a snowboarding holiday but eventually had to start exercising again in order to be fit enough to actually board, and the exercise did seem to help speed up the healing process, as long as you arent overly stressing the tendon itself I guess!

[fixedwheelnut]

Mine recently flared up on the New Forest 1000, I can recommend 'Ultrasound' treatment see if your quack has a machine or if he can refer you to someone who has, really helps.
Check your saddle height and make sure you stretch regularly to help prevent reoccurence.

[The Londoner]

StL-Al said:

The question I have, as you have posted this in the cycling forum, is did you get this from riding?

Thanks one and all for advice. The odd thing is that I am not doing anything new or different. I regularly cycle, run, indoor row and kick box and have done for a long time, yet the problem has only occurred in the last few months. It's not down to any new footwear either so I'm mystified as to the cause.