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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: AFANASIEW on 15:00:48, 06/03/19

Title: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 15:00:48, 06/03/19
Has anyone successfully treated this condition? If so, how? My experience with it is covered in my latest blog: https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/03/06/boy-you-got-to-carry-that-weight/ (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2019/03/06/boy-you-got-to-carry-that-weight/)
 I have less than three months to fix it before I set off on my LEJOG.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: phil1960 on 16:29:38, 06/03/19
I really don’t know if it’s the same thing, but a couple of years ago I developed a painful Achilles’ tendon on my right foot. It was very tender to the touch and I also had a lump there which apparently is an indication of damage. Heel cups helped for a while but I found for me, the only thing that helped was rest and changing to low approach shoes, the type with a low back that don’t touch the tendon. It took around 6 months before I felt it was 100% again but now it’s pain free and seems to be back to normal.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 16:44:39, 06/03/19
I really don’t know if it’s the same thing, but a couple of years ago I developed a painful Achilles’ tendon on my right foot. It was very tender to the touch and I also had a lump there which apparently is an indication of damage. Heel cups helped for a while but I found for me, the only thing that helped was rest and changing to low approach shoes, the type with a low back that don’t touch the tendon. It took around 6 months before I felt it was 100% again but now it’s pain free and seems to be back to normal.
Thanks Phil - that sounds the same as mine. I'll be taking Inov8 Parkclaws with me, so could try wearing them at every opportunity, maybe even with waterproof socks on occasion. I don't think I'd want to risk wearing them over rocky ground, though.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: gunwharfman on 17:01:33, 06/03/19
I've had two very painful leg pains in the last 3 years, pulling a hamstring kind of pain. I limped for three months at a time. The only 'cure' I found that worked was long periods of rest and a cold bag of peas pressed at the source of the pain!
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: Slogger on 17:35:26, 06/03/19
Achilles tendonitis and achilles sheaf pain are very similar. Tendonitis is caused by strain and overuse whilst sheaf pain is caused by irritation above the back of the heel. Both can be bothersome as the slightest irritation after the initial problem tends to prolong the issue. With sheaf pain runners would often (as I did) cut the heel tabs right down on their running shoes to stop them rubbing.One or the other what I would do is apply Voltarol Gel three times a day for at least a week or two and make sue I carried some whilst on LEJOG.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 18:01:29, 06/03/19
I've had two very painful leg pains in the last 3 years, pulling a hamstring kind of pain. I limped for three months at a time. The only 'cure' I found that worked was long periods of rest and a cold bag of peas pressed at the source of the pain!
I've been using an ice pack. Ibuprofen apparently has a similar effect, i.e. reducing inflammation.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 18:08:15, 06/03/19
Tendonitis is caused by strain and overuse... what I would do is apply Voltarol Gel three times a day for at least a week or two and make sue I carried some whilst on LEJOG.
The podiatrist did say that a contributory factor can be the development of the calf muscles through, for example, walking. If you do it without stretching exercises, the tendons become over-taut. Presumably Voltarol contains anti-inflammatory stuff?
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 19:34:42, 06/03/19
I had a similar injury 15 years ago from running. Eventually it also affected walking. It took 6 months of no running before the pain was completely gone and I was left with a  lump on the tendon. The same tendon gave me problems last year ( this time insertional). This type of injury can take a long time to heal and can be prolonged if not treated properly.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: Maggot on 09:37:03, 07/03/19
The podiatrist did say that a contributory factor can be the development of the calf muscles through, for example, walking. If you do it without stretching exercises, the tendons become over-taut. Presumably Voltarol contains anti-inflammatory stuff?


Voltarol is a brand name for Diclofenac, an NSAID (non-steroidal ant-inflamatory drug).  Have a look at getting taped by a physio too, they use kinaeseology tape, which promotes blood flow and healing.  Speak nicely and they will show you how to do it yourself (or just look at YouTube and have a go)


I think the key thing in your situation is to remember that you will not be able to walk this off.  It will get only worse. 


I would suggest that you rest up and don't sweat the LEJOG.  You have three months before the walk you say, so I would rest up and try to recover it.  You can walk into fitness, you simply cannot walk an Achilles better. Simple as that I am afraid.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 09:56:05, 07/03/19

Voltarol is a brand name for Diclofenac, an NSAID (non-steroidal ant-inflamatory drug).  Have a look at getting taped by a physio too, they use kinaeseology tape, which promotes blood flow and healing.  Speak nicely and they will show you how to do it yourself (or just look at YouTube and have a go)

Thanks for that, Maggot. I'll ask the podiatrist about the tape on Monday. Meanwhile the short course of Ibuprofen seems to be doing some good.
I don't think I can just rest and hope for the best. Over two months of rest with stretching exercises didn't do the trick. I won't feel confident until I can do consecutive taxing walks - Lulworth to Swanage followed by Lulworth to Weymouth tend to be my final tests of choice, with a 24 and a 26 miler in the fortnight before.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: jimbob on 10:12:42, 07/03/19
Take care with Ibuprofen and Voltarol together as too much can cause problems. I use Warfarin and both are totally  100% excluded for me.  However the pharmacist recomended Tiger Balm as it doesn't react the same way. It is OK (ish)

Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 11:43:37, 07/03/19
Take care with Ibuprofen and Voltarol together as too much can cause problems. I use Warfarin and both are totally  100% excluded for me.  However the pharmacist recomended Tiger Balm as it doesn't react the same way. It is OK (ish)
Thanks, i was minded to do belt and braces. Maybe in succession instead. I don't take other medications.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: Maggot on 16:35:40, 07/03/19
Thanks, i was minded to do belt and braces. Maybe in succession instead. I don't take other medications.


You can take paracetamol with Voltarol, but best to steer clear of other NSAIDS (ibuprofen and naproxen) are probably common ones your friends will offer you). 


The tiger balm thing is interesting, personally I would not use it if you are already rubbing something on to the area, which you are with your Voltarol.  The good thing about Tiger Balm is that you could also use it for an insect repellent, a wart remover and a furniture lubricant if it doesn't get your foot better!


Good luck, and don't be afraid to rest, you have done a lot of the hard miles already.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 17:11:12, 07/03/19

You can take paracetamol with Voltarol, but best to steer clear of other NSAIDS (ibuprofen and naproxen) are probably common ones your friends will offer you). 

The good thing about Tiger Balm is that you could also use it for an insect repellent, a wart remover and a furniture lubricant if it doesn't get your foot better!

I wonder what Tiger Balm removes if you don't have warts??
I don't do painkillers per se, only as anti-inflammatories, so wouldn't take paracetamol. I'm thinking that Voltarol or equivalent would avoid stomach-burning issues, so might be better to take with me.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: jimbob on 18:03:08, 07/03/19
Voltarol gets the job done. Tiger Balm is basically strong menthol,  it works ok.Can be used as a vapour rub for colds like Vick. As I say it is OK. Never thought to use it for the other things. I'm sure the midgies would just show off plodging about in it to prove how hard they are.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 18:08:42, 07/03/19
Tiger Balm is basically strong menthol... I'm sure the midgies would just show off plodging about in it to prove how hard they are.

:-D
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: Slogger on 16:42:10, 08/03/19
The podiatrist did say that a contributory factor can be the development of the calf muscles through, for example, walking. If you do it without stretching exercises, the tendons become over-taut. Presumably Voltarol contains anti-inflammatory stuff?
Yes, as the calf and other muscles come to that develop through excercise they shorten, so stretching is good to minimise that. Also as we age our muscles dehydrate and are not as supple as they once were, this puts extra strain on the tendons. Eventually aches and pains are not so much down to strains by overdoing it, but degeneration. A strain can heal but degeneration is simply the aging affect on our muscles and tendons etc - they can't take the same strain anymore. (My big problem)
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: AFANASIEW on 16:58:31, 08/03/19
...a strain can heal but degeneration is simply the aging affect on our muscles and tendons etc - they can't take the same strain anymore. (My big problem)


Yes, I guess that, at 65, that's precisely what I'm fighting against, and doing LEJOG forms part of that battle. Happy to say that, after three days on NSAIDs, the tendon's much improved, to the extent that I'm feeling much more confident that the thing may be do-able.
Title: Re: Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis
Post by: roughyed on 00:59:29, 09/03/19
Not sure if I currently have Non-insertional Achilles tendinitis or bog standard tendonitis (if there is any difference?), but its been on and off for the last 5 weeks.  The tendon can be sore to the touch down the sides and can leave me limping for days/week.  I'm stretching and had been taking naproxen (stopped now).

I have no patience though, so as soon as there is a hint of it feeling ok, I go out and within less than a mile i can feeling it pulling and the limping begins and thats me knackered for a week or more. 

My new tactic is to stretch, and walk slower and as soon as I feel the hint of a tightening feeling, I slow down.  That seems to work.  However I'm only going 4-5 miles max as more than that it just breaks down.  Its immensely frustrating.