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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Achilles' tendon

19 replies

MintChocChip147 · 09/10/2013 08:09

AIBU to ask you lot what I should do about this?

I think I have damaged my Achilles' tendon. It's not incredibly painful but I can't stand on tip toes or bend my ankle when I walk. Not too bad when I'm just sitting still.

Is it just the kind of thing that will get better by itself if I try not to walk on it too much or do I need to go and see a doctor? I'm assuming a doctor would tell me I need to rest it which is hard with my job.

I personally don't think it feels like a serious problem, but then again, I know nothing about Achilles' tendons! I've done the stupid thing of googling it and have scared myself by reading it can take over a year to recover from and I might need surgery!!!!

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

bobbywash · 09/10/2013 08:15

That's the problem, the advice is inconsistant from ignore it, to get physio. My DP (who runs), damaged the tendon last year. After a couple of months lay off, started running again and it was fine, then 6 months later it has flared up again, and now even hurts when walking.

We have decided physio is the next option, to see what that does. My advice for whart it's worth is leave it for a while and see what happens, if after a couple of months, it's no beter go to your GP and get a physio referral.

They rarely operate on an achillies unless it's torn.

PedlarsSpanner · 09/10/2013 08:16

Um.yes prob will need surgical repair and lengthy rehab. Sorry.

But please do see a your GP, you need to know extent of damage before making decisions about treatment

thinkfast · 09/10/2013 08:16

My Achilles' tendon went from bad to dreadful. In the end I saw an osteopath who treated it successfully. Physio was no help at all

valiumredhead · 09/10/2013 08:21

There's lots that can be done before surgery and in fact that might but even be suitable. I'd start with physio and take it from there. I've had success with acupuncture.

valiumredhead · 09/10/2013 08:22

Are you taking pain killers and treating it with ice and heat packs?

AndyMurraysBalls · 09/10/2013 08:24

Am currently undergoing sports physio (running injury) and doing exercises. My whole left leg was struggling with niggles and I kept running (like an idiot) and ended up causing damage. Am into my 4th week of no running and I know it's still not right.

Perhaps it depends on your expectations of yourself? If you run then it needs to be attended to. If you don't do any sport, perhaps it heals on its own?

There may be a sports physio on MN who will help .....

throckenholt · 09/10/2013 08:28

I damaged my achilles a year or so back (not snapped though). Once it has stopped actively hurting then you need to gradually stretch it - and keep doing it every day to strengthen it. In my case it took months to feel properly better.

You will know if you have sanpped it - incredibly painful, loud noise - needs medical attention (probably not what you have done). I went to GP who was useless.

I also have borrowed this from a friend which really has made a big difference over a few weeks.

Original poster

MintChocChip147 · 09/10/2013 08:50

It doesn't feel bad enough to be taking pain killers at the moment. I was just concerned as it seems like the kind of thing that will just get worse!

OP posts:

throckenholt · 09/10/2013 09:03

sounds like it just needs a regime of stretching over the next few months then.

Smorgs · 09/10/2013 09:05

I am having a lot of problems with my Achilles at the moment. I left it too long before seeing the doctor so I would recommend going ASAP. In my case I was referred to a podiatrist who analysed my posture and walking and foot pressures and has made me foot beds to wear in all my shoes. Apparently it's down to my having high arches that aren't supporting my foot properly. Could have been caused/exacerbated by pregnancy and breast feeding and the relaxin hormone. The doctor has given me diclofenac patches to wear on my heel to help with inflammation and I take paracetamol for the pain (still breast feeding so limited with anti inflam and painkiller options). Hope that helps.

monicalewinski · 09/10/2013 09:33

I've suffered with recurring tendonitis in both Achilles for years now. My job requires me to do a fit test every 6 months which involves running so I struggled on for a long time, resting and then training but it got too much in the end.

Definitely see a Dr, it is treated in a variety of ways - anti inflammatories, physio and podiatrist. There is a loading (stretching) program which is effective, where you go up on tiptoes then slowly lower several times a day (and you increase the weight in a back pack over time) but the physio will give you all those exercises properly. Also, general leg strengthening exercises such as squats and leg presses (I ended up pressing 120% of my body weight, which seems ridiculously unachievable when you start!).

Surgery is not the first option, there are many things that will be tried first. As it turned out, mine is due to a number of factors so I now am unable to do high impact training, but there are plenty of low impact options such as cycling and cross trainer so fitness doesn't have to completely stop.

Glitteronthehighway · 09/10/2013 10:15

I've had ongoing achilles problems related to running for years, seen physios, sports therapists and read loads of stuff online. The achilles has very poor blood supply and so takes months to heal.

My advice would be DON'T do any stretches until the pain has gone- I did this and think it made my worse and it took longer to heal as the tendon needs time to lay down new tissue. You might want to use a heel- lift in your shoes at this time to take the pressure off it. Also walking barefoot isn't recommended.
When the pain has gone (can take a few weeks) you might start to gently stretch it. Pay attention to pain and stiffness first thing in the morning too as a measure of how healed it is, as the tendon warms up during the day the pain goes away but this doesn't mean it has healed. It should get better on its own very gradually but no running or jumping

icetip · 09/10/2013 10:57

Second the heel lift suggestion. I run, my Achilles injury took months to heal and it was the simple intervention of a heel lift that made the difference.

frostyfingers · 09/10/2013 11:28

I've had various Achilles tendon problems but luckily not needed surgery. Generally once it stops actively hurting then it needs to be stretched gently again - the one bit of physio I had that did work was ultrasound, I'd hurt it going up and down ladders when I was renovating a house and it was agony with a huge lump on the back. It took a while but now, most of the time it's fine. I would go to the GP, and ask him to refer you for physio, and see how it goes from there.

PlumpkinPie · 09/10/2013 11:33

Hmmmmm, I hurt the back of my heel in June 2012, it has been intermittently painful ever since. I have taken a couple of months off running but am currently sitting with my foot in a bucket of iced water after a run. It is my unprofessional belief that this pain is my achilles something or other and rather than waiting another 16 months for it to heal itself I should take myself to a physio and in the same light: so should you!!

Kewcumber · 09/10/2013 11:38

I have chronic achilles problems and having seen every medical professional possible my advice would be try to find a physio who has some expereicne of achilles problems or a podiatrist with similar expereince or sports injury experience. Probably one inital session where they assess it and probably tell you to rest it for x weeks.

Then some warm up and strecthing.

Really depends on whether its an injury or heel spurs causing problmes with the tendon or something like tendonopathy which is more chronic

Kewcumber · 09/10/2013 11:40

if its tendonopathy then antiinflammatories a big waste of time (its not an inflammation) and heel lifts will cause a bigger problem in the long run as your tendon shortens causing more of a problem. Important that someone tries to work out what the problme is so you can treat accordingly

yonisareforever · 09/10/2013 13:54

Sorry to say I was told it breaking is worse than a bone break. If it goes you cannot walk its incredibly important. My DF was mis diagnosed and walked on his for ages until he went to a and e and was on non weight bearing plaster for THREE MONTHS.

you need a scan.

Tabby1963 · 09/10/2013 17:27

The first time I had pain in my achilles tendon (causing me to limp to avoid the pain) I eventually saw a consultant at local hospital who said I could have a cortisone injection which could (a) make it better (b) make it worse or (c) make no difference whatsoever. I left well alone and the pain went after a couple more months.

It comes back periodically and I just wait for 2-4 months until it fades away. Don't know why it happens (for example, I don't wear high heels).

I am just grateful it has never happened on both tendons at the same time, I'd be in trouble then lol.

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