Long Running Un-Treated Achilles Injury. Rehab Techniques

[benjo0101]

Hi All,

New to this forum and in need of some advice.

I have read some previous posts but it seems that all situations when it comes to achilles injuries are different. So here goes.

I badly badly damaged my achilles when walking last April. It swelled up to twice its normal size, I couldnt stand on my toes at all and walking was very difficult. By strapping up, icing and resting my leg up for a day or 2 before going back to work.

I then (stupidly) left the injury to heal itself over a long period, about 8 months, with no treatment. The occasional ice pack doesnt count. Every time I exercise it hurt, it would make me limp for days and struggle to walk sometimes. After this pain became apparent it was never going to heal itself I have received some physio and I am completing exercises in an attemp to re-hab the area affected. I have had an ultrasonic scan and confirmed no rupture but do have severe tendonitis. The exercises are ok and load the tendon heavily and will, I have no doubt, eventually work. I Ice before and after exercise, massage the area when at home once a day, complete the loading exercises 2-3 times a day. When it hurts I stretch which really makes a difference but I would love to know of anything else people can suggest. I have heard that ultrasound treatment by a hand held device that you can buy over the counter is a good method, is this true or a hoax?

The pain can be unbearable and I havent been on a run that hasnt hurt so bad I've had to stop for over a year. All spring in my step is gone, I naturally limp that is really hard to stop and I have now had to completely give up all running (my first love) because of the injury. I appreciate re-hab can take up to a year but 6 weeks in and I cant feel any real improvement.

Anything would be good at this point.

Thanks for all replies in advance.

[Heidi]

Hi
You do need a little patience with this and it does sound like you are doing most of the things I would recommend. The only things I noted are:
You haven't mentioned how much you are stretching the calf muscles and if you are stretching both of them - i.e. Gastrocnemius and Soleus. You should be stretching both, at least 3 times a day if not more. Regular sports massage to the calf and achilles will also help considerably.
Eccentric heel drops are what I presume you are talking about when you say loading the achilles.
I personally find ultrasound is a very useful treatment for this condition and I use it regularly with my clients. However, I am not keen on the over-the-counter ones you can buy in chemists and on the internet. There is a lot of theory and knowledge that goes into knowing how to use it and what settings it should go on. You can actually cause more damage if you use them incorrectly.
You also haven't mentioned if you have insoles of heel raises etc. Did your physio look at your feet? Overpronation can put more strain on the achilles tendon and so if you do this then arch support insoles with a small heel raise will probably help too.