So fucked off with Achilles tendinitis.

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

What do l do?

It started about 3 months ago. I’ve had it before so started the same exercises and it became unbearable.

So paid to see a physio, started exercises and again it just became unbearable and had to stop.

Paid to see a podiatrist. Had insoles made. They hurt my knees. Bought super expensive trainers on their recommendation which seem to make it worse. Can’t wear insoles. Doing exercises but it’s making it slightly worse. Only had it in one leg, but due to exercises l now have it in both. Have both insertional and normal tendinitis in the same foot.

Ive made gp appt. Would you push for a referral? It’s making me so miserable. 3 months of exercises, inserts, expensive trainers and no progress.

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

Bump

[BritInUS1]

Have you got one of those socks that help to stretch it at night? This really helped mine

www.shoeinsoles.co.uk/POW905_large.html

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

No l haven’t, I’ll look into that.

Ivr got a pair of boots on today with inch and 1/2 heel. No pain at all🤷🏼‍♀️

[actiongirl1978]

I had what i thought was tendinitis but podiatrist confirmed was bursitis.

In the meantime I had brilliant results with ultrasound, calf massage and acupuncture from a physio.

[physwizz]

What exercises did the physio give you?
If it's truly Achilles tendinitis then look up the alfredsons heel drop programme and follow that.

If can't tolerate it may need orthopaedic review for steroid injection

[TheClitterati]

I had lots of problems with my archillies with inflammation & lumps etc for years. Doctor/physio were never interested & nothing effective was ever done.

I started sea swimming in covid and that has what eventually healed the achillies after many years - cold water. Of course not everyone can get into cold water every day, but I do think the cold has really helped reduced inflammation & heal the chronic issues I was having.

A daily good icing with a packet of peas or put your foot into a bucket of cold/iced water regularly is absolutely worth a try.

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

I do a lot of icing, but it doesn’t seem to do much.

Ive been given exercises with a theraband to pull the door towards me, calf stretches and heel drops. I can’t do the full heel drop from the edge of the stair as that will aggravate the insertional version. So just little ones. But I’ve been pissing about for 3 months with no improvement. I’m so fed up😞

[Wnikat]

I know you said you’ve tried insoles but they’re the only things that ever worked for me. If the heel you’re wearing today fixes it that does indicate it’s prob down to anatomy and therefore only the insoles will fix it… try insoles with core strength exercises to help your knees?

[maddy68]

Wear a small heel and ensure they have arch support I can only wear fly shoes at the moment

[SchoolNightWine]

Was it an MSK podiatrist that you saw? And did you walk on a pressure pad (over and over), for them to get a good picture of what was happening when you walk?
I've just been through this after suffering with Achilles pain since 2015, and the MSK specialist diagnosed me with hypermobility (worth a Google as it can cause so many symptoms).
I'm getting orthotics made, but she also recommended wearing Hoka recovery sliders in the house and definitely no going barefoot/slippers.
I'm also going to try shock wave therapy, which she said would help recovery, but without changing the way I walk, would not solve the issue long term.

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

She just watched me walk and then assessed me. It’s just that every time l do the exercises they cause it all to flame up. Even if I’m really cautious about how many l do. Surely I’d be seeing something after 9 weeks or so, even if it does inflame it at first?

[massistar]

I've had ongoing problems with my Achilles. Went to see a sports physio who did shockwave therapy on it and gave me different exercises as he said it was down to lack of flexibility in my ankle rather than just the usual calf raised. These have helped.

Got to say though. The shockwave therapy was the most horrific thing I've ever had done. It was so painful I thought I was going to faint or be sick!

[massistar]

He also recommended these for running which have been great:

runningshoes.co.uk/products/saucony-ladies-omni-19-aw20-s10570-20-purple

[allboysherebutme]

I've got the same thing, no advice but I feel your pain. X

[pigwood]

Book for a full bio mechanical assessment with a state registered podiatrist

[sunshineandsuddenshowers]

Oh you are my people. It’s MISERABLE, isn’t it. I got it when I started running 2 years ago. Had to stop, and although it’s never gone away it seemed to be ok until about 6 weeks ago. Now back w a vengeance.
am going to try ideas recommended here. Where would I find a podiatrist? Am sure my issues come from the feet up…

[fluffiphlox]

it can take many, many months to get better. The one thing that helped a bit was acupuncture and ultrasound.

[JaneJeffer]

I don't have experience of Achilles but when I had really bad tennis elbow the physio did dry needling which helped it a lot.

[nevergoingback]

Its bloomin awful I have had it for months and only the last few weeks I am completly pain free
my best advice ( after the icing, physio etc ) is to change shoes every day so slighly different size heels NO FLATS, i can wear birkenstocks etc because they have raised foot bed

Invest in some FLY of london wedges they are game changes

good luck

[lljkk]

Sympathies, nothing but time truly helps mine.
I recur it if I wear loose shoes.

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

I’ve been wearing the inserts ( which have fucked up my knees) and icing.

l had to stop all exercises as l couldn’t walk at all after them. Now waiting for referral from foot clinic and pain clinic.

l never wear totally flat shoes. I found Birkies really helpful for plantar fasciitis, but l think they are what have triggered the Achilles.

Sometimes life just sucks😭