Any riders with Achilles pain?

daveismycat

daveismycat

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I was wondering if anyone has dealt with an Achilles injury, and if they could share any words of wisdom on getting it better.

I started running on a treadmill three times a week in March and I love it. At the end of May, half-way through a 30 minute run I experienced acute pain at the base of my achilles near the attachment to the bone. I stretched and quit my run and iced and hoped it would get better.

But it hasn't. :(

I haven't run since :( and I'm now just riding and swimming. I find the heel-down position when I ride really really sore and if I ride for more than 30-40 minutes I can bearly move my ankle when I get off. It's also really stiff in the mornings. I still hobble round sometimes when I've taken Diclofenac.

Doctors advice was to rest it, which I guess I have with the exception of riding. I'm pretty gutted as, through the running, I've lost three stone and I'm now stuck trying to get rid of the rest.

Any advice welcome :)
 
I hope you have a better recovery than I have done.
Broke my fib in mid December, kept pressing the hosp for scans as knew tendon & muscle damage was done too.
Eventually got info mid March & have been to physio every 2 weeks since; 3 ligaments torn, achilles part snapped, also sudden post-traumatic arthritis was diagnosed a month ago following more scans including MRI as the cartilege has disintigrated on the ankle joint to virtually nothing there.

Things I can/cant do which are down to the on-going Achilles issues:
I can ride (hoorah!) tho will never be able to ride top level (ok, can live with that as was not doing that anyway).
It hurts to ride v short for jumping (boo!) and excruciating to get on/off unless v careful.
Standing - taking weight into stirrups for a good hoon around is a no-no as I squeak ouch too often.
I cannot run (ever).
Its crippling going down stairs, tho going up isn't too bad :)
Have a lot of pain after driving more than 20+mins.
Cannot wear any heels (and never again :( so am told even after the achilles mends, as the ankle will not take it)

To alleviate: Get a good physio. Rest. Massage. Ultrasound treatment also helps, tho I've had to go privately so far as my NHS appt is for December 2013!!

Re the ankle joint: am getting fitted for orthotics, & will have injection into joint (just like doing the fetlock joints :D ) but most likely will be having to have op on the ankle within a year or so.

Also would like more info ref the Achilles recovery etc.
 
Oh heck, poor you. :(

I had forgotten to mention that driving is really really sore, it is my right foot, so accelerator side. I have a 45min commute and then have to hobble along to get from the car park to work.

When I ride, getting on is fine as it's the off-side. I might try long stirrups to see if that helps.

I will have to find a good physio I think.

I hope you get better soon. :)
 
I got achilles tendonitis about 12 years ago, yes it's just like horsey tendonitis, a shortening and thickening of the tendon.

You'd think I did it riding or out hunting, nope walking, I was doing a lot of walking at the time. I adopted a really weird walking gait and looked dog lame.

The doctor just said to rest it, I was at uni away from home at the time so wasn't riding much, but I couldn't even if I wanted to, it was too painful, any sort of heels down was too much. I didn't ride for a good 6 months.

But it did get better, if it was your horse, you wouldn't think anything of giving it 6 - 12 months off with rehab work to strengthen it back up, unfortunately you are the same.

The exercise I did most was on the stairs, when I could walk properly again, on the bottom step, stand with the ball of my foot on the edge of the step (on one leg) and go from heel up, to level, slowly, and back up 10 reps twice a day for starters. When that was easy I then started dropping the heel below level, but small increments and all very slow.

Once I could keep my foot level on the step with out pain I started riding again, I started jumping once I could put my heel down below level on the step with out pain.

It took a long while but after a year I was doing everything I used to, and yes I can even run, I just make sure I'm running on something flat and am careful going up hills.

Just take it slowly, I've never had it go again and you can hardly tell the difference now, just keep thinking what you would do with your horses tendons, if they pulled one;)
 
Ooh I really suffered for about a year, the worst thing was earing any form of boots, Jodhpur boots aggravated it as did my long Ariat Grasmeres, I then changed boots (got some Dubarrys) and it got beter almost immediately. I obviously can't cope with anything touching my achilles.

xx
 
Lucky you, just your Achillies, try arthritis, damaged tail bone and a gammy knee, I'm only on here cos I can't sleep because of the throbbing in my tail bone and the heat of my arthritic hands, sorry, don't mind me, I have a low pain threshold, hope you are better soon
 
I had a partial tear and riding used to be excruciating! Best tips is to get sprengers or equivalent and do as someone mentioned above and gently stretch it out. I used a book on the floor to put the ball of my foot on and then lower my heel down.

The worst thing was getting off, I would literally have tears in my eyes when I landed on the ground. If I had my time again I'd use a mounting block to get off onto! It took a few months of gritting my teeth but its fine now.
 
After an interesting fall a few years ago when horse nosedived at speed xc and i thought landing feet first was a good idea iv had a few ankle 'issues' ;) Partly because i was adament i wasnt missing the season and was eventing again within 3 months when i REALLY shouldnt have been!
Physio is a definate must (can recommend a good one if you dont have any joy)! i cant ride in anything but long boots now (no short boots and chaps or dubarrys for me :() and i try to stretch it off before i ride. Also find anything but sprengers very uncomfortable. Can defo feel it after iv been jumping or had an intense schooling session but its much better than it was. I also started running again last year and so far have been ok but do use special insoles to help absorb shock and support my foot better.
 
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