Anyone ride with an Achilles’ tendon injury?

Casey76

Casey76

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Months ago now, I had a stupid accident and overtaxed my Achilles’ tendon. (Basically I slipped in some mud and did a very fast, hard lunge with my foot flexed underneath me)

Unfortunately it doesn’t;t seem to be getting any better, to the point where walking around makes it ache and very tender to touch, and sitting around makes it stiffen up and then very painful to walk off. Riding, with the inherent “weight in your heels” makes the pain 10x worse, and dismounting is starting to get a bit precarious.

Just wondering if ankle supports or strapping actually do any good?
 
I ended up getting physio on mine, together with gait analysis and specific supports to help with the rehab. I found my riding boots were high enough in the instep to give enough support when riding, and I used wide flexi tread stirrups which made a huge difference.

The original injury was 17 years ago, I redid it quite badly four years ago, but it's now ok on a day to day basis, although I can no longer go running.
 
I ruptured mine and had to have surgery on it a few years ago. It took 4 months before I could ride and in the beginning I couldn't bend my foot enough to get it in the stirrups so I just rode without. In addition the physio told me I couldn't land on the injured achilles when getting off so I just made sure that I only landed on my good leg - that does have its own problems though, as my "good" achilles has taken a pounding and can sometimes feel sore.

If it is still hurting months later I think you need to go and see someone about it
 
TheBigPony said:
In addition the physio told me I couldn't land on the injured achilles when getting off so I just made sure that I only landed on my good leg - that does have its own problems though, as my "good" achilles has taken a pounding and can sometimes feel sore.
Click to expand...

I developed a very slow and controlled slide off the horse which usually ended up with my jacket riding up over my face before I made it to the ground :D
 
I ruptured my right achilles over 30 years ago, complications meant I was in plaster for 5 months and I was left with a rather deformed area above the heel and a somewhat diminished calf muscle. About five years ago, mounting my horse on a very cold day I managed to put a tear in the scar tissue, about a third of the achilles has gone. Sadly it's meant I have to be very careful and can't take part in many things I used to enjoy but I still ride. I found an excellent physio who helped me strengthen everything that could be strengthened in a safe way. She also showed me how to strap my heel so the achilles was supported, this helped me to get aboard again. I don't really have much pain these days from riding but I am very careful with boots and shoes etc so there is no rubbing. I do limp slightly. My advice would be to get a proper assessment of your injury and advice on how to manage it, it's a very important tendon and takes a massive amount of stress so it needs to be looked after.
 
Would agree with TheBigPony Achilles tendons are a serious one if its still hurting go get it checked out.

quick test to see if it is still attached (I'm assuming you would know if it wasn't...but you never know!) kneel on a chair with the injured leg and have someone pinch/grab the back of your calf from as low as possible to the back of the knee. If your foot naturally points/jerks then at least you know your Achilles are in tact. I've had this test done to me many a times as I have an ankle causing me trouble now and it's the first thing they check as from my understanding if the tendon is ruptured you will need surgery!
 
Yep, tore mine off when breaking my ankle quite badly - made worse by harsh first aid - operated on seven days after the incident ( long story!) that was fifty years ago - it didn't fully return to normal even though I was extremely fit and paid great attention to good physio. Gradually I lost the rotation in the foot with loss of calf muscle in response - I went from a long distance running British title contender to hopping lame walking a mile though I could still run pretty fast up to age forty over short distances.
Thus I had aches and pains all through my horsey years but look on them as keeping me fit rather than doing further damage, which included learning to ride in the classic dressage style late in life with rather better leg position than many photos in the H & H. Now, chronic arthritis has set in and I would not be fit to do anything without a panopoly of drugs - breaking my knee on the same side last year has been a barrel full of laughs and it giving me gip as I write this! It's very nearly G & T time!!!
 
Me.
I'm on the waiting list to have a, by my accounts, a serious op to repair damage. I had it operated on some 23 or so years ago, and it has lasted this long. Sadly for me, I was born like it, so it's never been good, but wear and tear has made it rather 'aged'. The surgeons are planning on re-shaping my heel now too, to prevent it from giving up the ghost, of which is will do if I continue without intervention.
It is very painful now, often waking up during the night with the deep pulsating throb. Takes me ages to 'warm up', walk with a limp. I ride, and work with horses because it's what I do, and I still enjoy it, not to mention it helps me not to think about it. Definitely got worse over the last 3 months or so. Leg/heel area swells up daily now, ice pack or hot rub works wonders. OH and both my kids are well trained in the art of rubbing it better!
Can't wait to be ''fixed''!!
 
The riding will make it worse for sure. If anything wear high heels, I would phone you gp asap to get some physio before it goes "ping" :)
 
I have badly damaged mine when I broke my ankle in November I still can't even walk let alone ride it's very painful, I have laser acupuncture on mine and been having shiatsu therapy which has really helped.
 
I have tendonitis in my Achilles’ tendons which is quite painful. I got some stirrups with a wider footbed which has definitely helped.
 
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