I've posted before and have been overwhelemed by how kind people are replying so quickly. I'm sorry to post again but I'm really stressed about my achilles.
It's been painful for about 5 months. Has a bump (not bvisible but you can feel it) and GP and physio think it's been caused by overpronation.. I have orthotics which don't really make a huge difference but I have been given eccentric calf raises on the stair to do.
My question is: When I come down slowly on the bad leg off the stair my leg starts to shake and ratchet. The uninjured one comes down smoothly. Is this because of the tendon weakness or because the muscle is weak. I'm geeting paranoid that I have something underlying that is causing the flat feet and tendon problems and before I start demanding a trip to the neurologist I wondered if this was normal?
I've looked on the net but there is no where that covers this. Also my knee has started to hurt and sometimes the achilles leg feels really odd and weak even though it's not ruptured - is this normal? Physio thinks I'm bonkers but I'm so freaked out by this I'd appreciate any input. I'm fine pushing up onth bad leg on toes but I'm starting to think by soleus is weak or that one of the leg muscles is degenerating. Also when I push forward on my bad knee as if to stretch it shakes a bit.
Thanks
Sounds like you have the same as me, I have just had an operation on mine.. Not because of a rupture but a spur ( Haglands Deformity) on the back of my heel bone. This in turn causes aggravation to the achellies tendon.. Mine became quite large, quite quickly..I tried the physio, ultra sound, and injections. I suggest you look up Haglands Deformity, however yours might be just the start of calcification before turning to bone. Listen to your physio and follow the exercises you might be able to fix this without it getting bad enough to do surgery.. Believe me surgery is a long healing process and not a quick option..
Thanks for the reply! I hope your op has gone OK
So before you had the operation did you find that the affected leg felt weaker in certain positions? For example as described above? I'm sorry to ask it's just it's giving me massive anxiety.
Thanks
Yes my foot was very weak, standing on tip toe near impossible, my ankle shook all over the place making my whole leg wobble..
Thanks so much for your reply - its just such a horrible feeling!!! x
Yes it is, the important thing is you speak to your consultant or physio about these and you do all the exercises to make your ankles and calves stronger ..
I am 3 months post rupture. I'm having the same problem doing the stair excercise still. Weakness in calf and ankle, but lots of pain on the inside of the ankle when I do these. Kind of like knife sticking into the ankle. I've built myself a wobble board to help with this. The wobble board certainly helped me navigate stairs a little more normally after only a couple of days. Hopefully it'll help strengthen my ankle as well.
Wobble board is a good idea! I am going to see if I can get one. How did you make one?
I hope your recovery makes good progress and thanks for your reply.
Dear TLM
What is the wobble board used for?
Jean
Dear TLM
Do your ankles swell or feel as though they are?
jean
The wobble board is used , in un-scientific terms, to teach your body where your foot is. Your brain shuts off signals from the injury so it doesn't get overloaded. We need to get these pathways going again. And it also stretches everything out as you use it. I'm amazed that I can go down stairs now almost pain free after only a couple of days use.
As for the swelling, yes. My right leg and ankle are quite swollen. Some days more than others but always swollen.
I put a link to a DIY wobble board on you tube, but my previous post has to moderated because of the link. Very easy to make however.
On a lighter note, I may be able to go back to work next week.
Dear timinbic
I am aslightly confused here. I thought that it was TLM who was enquiring about the wobble board.
Jean
Dear TLM
Do you go under the name of timinbic?
Are you using this wobbleboard?
Jean
Hi
How was your haglands deformity diagnosed?
Jean
HI
What were your sugns and symptoms? How did it all start?
Who made the diagnosis and how.
I am going out of my mind with these sensations and thetightness, stiffness and pqain in my feet, ankles and knees.
Jean
TO ANONE
can someone please advise me about a comfy chair?
I am having to move from one chair to another to get soe degree of comfort, that is not much at the best of times.
Kind regards
Jean
Thanks for tips on wobble board Tim. A physio a while back told me they were good so I'm going to sort.
Jean - I'm not Tim! Also please can we keep this thread talking about achilles tendonitis as I'm really keen to get as much info on other people's experiences. You, swampie and Tim have been really helpful but now we're talking about comfy chairs and I can see this going off on a completely different route.
Thanks
I apologise about asking the question about comfy chairs.I did not realise that it would cause upset.
I see the moderator has not objected so I assume that he or she realises the relevence of the question.
In addittion I do not see how asking about a chair breaks the thread.In my professional opinion the question makes people aware of the significance and importance of having correct and comfy seating etc.
Perhaps someone could kindly advise about the type of chair, if any, that they find comfortable in the case where they have sustained an achilles tendonopathy. Posture is very important especially when sitting or lying down.
One needs to be treated holistically and not just as a achilles tendonopathy patient.
Also I thank you for the info you sent on fasiculations and the links to other forums. This has made me over anxious but I have disregarded the sinister conditions.
Jean
No problem! Just trying to keep my discussion on track. Apologies if offended. Fasciculations are generally benign as we discussed and I was under the impression from your messages that in answering your questions about my symptoms, particularly your keen interest in my twitching alleviated your anxiety since the site I pointed you to is a great source for people who ARE anxious about twitching. Once again no offence meant. Thanks everyone for your comments about my achilles tendinopathy questions - really helpful
No problem. I too am anxious about these horrible sensations and wonder just how long one is supposed to endure them.
Mine were caused by the inappropriate prescrbing of three antibiotics at the same time.
Jean