Achilles Tendonitis problem! Spring is here and just started running.

by 31 years old
(USA)

Hi!

Now that warmer weather has arrived, I started running again last week. Going against my better judgment, I really pushed it hard right out the gate. I felt great, even though I knew I should be taking it easier.

At some point after my 5th or 6th run, I noticed that my left achilles tendon was tender while walking back home after exercising. I chalked it up to the fact that I had just started running again, so there were bound to be some kinks that would work themselves out. I ran on it a couple more times (mistake) as there was no pain experienced when I ran. Only doing "normal" things afterwards.

Eventually, the tendon became very tender and swollen, so I wised up and ceased running for the time being. I've been icing as much as I can, upped my protein, fish oil, and other anti-inflammatory food intake, and do light stretching occasionally. Walking is much better now, I can barely feel the tenderness. However, I've tried to do some toe raises (just to see what would happen) and that causes pain (and an off-putting "crunching" feeling coming from the tendon).

It's still slightly swollen, the pain has lessened, I don't feel any "hot spots" or bumps, just a general soreness.

Any ideas as to what this might be? I'm trying not to self-diagnose. I'll definitely consult with my physician if this continues for an extended period of time.

Thanks for your help!

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Joshua Answers:

Hi 31. You're welcome.

Well, my first thought is, welcome to not being 18 anymore.

I noticed right about age 29 that things didn't bounce back as fast, broke down a little more obviously, etc. Good times.

So it makes sense that out of the blue you started running but this time you're lacking the benefits of youth that keep us going without having to think about it or worry about it.

It's time for a whole new game of how to keep your machine operating pain free, which includes and avoids Achilles Tendonitis and other running injury.

The good news is that it's totally doable. The bad news is that it takes some effort.

So at this point it sounds like you are doing all the right things.


A couple questions about your probable Achilles Tendonitis:

1. How are you icing? Ice Pack or Ice Massage? How long, how much?


2. Give me a timeline. When did you start running, how long has it been since you stopped, how long between running and now you can walk without pain but there's soreness and swelling.


3. Where exactly does it hurt?


4. Can you find the exact spot/area on the Achilles Tendon?


At this point it's important to know that just resting it and staying off it isn't likely to heal it back to 100%. It's likely there's tendonitis and tendonosis of the Achilles Tendon.

So while rest reduces further irritation, let's keep working it, and start adding in appropriate measures to heal it now while it's new and fresh, instead of limping along with it for the next 10 years before you commit to fixing it.

Answer the above questions and we'll go from there.





Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com