Sorry to hear you're having trouble AP. Pain in the achilles tendon area might well be due to some inflamation of the tendon itself, but more likely the covering sheath of the tendon. If the usual rest and anti inflammatories don't help, check that you don't have excessive pronation of the ankle joint; this can occur when the foot sometimes flattens as part of the aging process in some people- simple orthotics might help. I'd also check for trigger points in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, which sometimes occur along the central path of the muscle, or at the head of the muscles behind the knee.These can refer pain down to the heel. An acupuncturist could try to deactivate these- shouldn't take too many sessions.

Well I just checked signs and symptoms of age, and achilles pain isn't listed! I'm 43 and I don't have achilles pain, so I guess what your Doctors mean is in this case they don't know for sure. Any impairment of movement in the ankle or knee could cause this, or a history of ankle sprain.

This could be a body-wide problem also - if your weight-bearing or centre of gravity have moved forwards, eg if your back has become very arched, then that would have an effect. The achilles becomes strained countering the shift. Hence looking at the general posture may be important.

In anatomy, the achilles is a common tendon for the gastrocnemius (a muscle that crosses the knee joint), and soleus (a muscle that doesn't cross the knee joint). If there is a loss of elasticity in one muscle more than the other, then that can cause the problem you describe. Finding suitable stretching exercises for both muscle groups may restore balance, but if it doesn't seem to help, or makes it worse, then best get checked by somebody qualified in that field.

Achilles tendon pain

Hello Atlantic Pearl,
I would suggest you see a Podiatrist that specialises in Musculoskeletal problems. They might be able to suggest exercises or provide an orthotic if there is a biomechanical problem with your foot/feet.

regards

P

Achillies tendon pain - any advice on best way to treat Have been to drs and i got told nothing that can be done its a sign of getting older! Do we start falling apart when we are in our 40's. Its the right foot, the pain isn't constant. I get it when in bed (usually when I wake up its painful there), but also when i walk, or even sit down. Shoe wise, I alternate in what I wear, around the home I usually go barefoot or wear sandals, and comfortable shoes with a low heel. I don't wear any shoes/sandals with a heel of more than 1.5 inches & I don't wear flat sandal. sThere is no nodule on the achillies. any advice appreciated. thanks

I have to agree with some of what David Maldon says. Morning pain is usually a sign of chronic inflammation, so it could be either tendon or sheath.

Icing it may help, and if you want a home remedy, you could try foot roller, which may release any restrictions in the plantar fascia.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I paid out to see a doctor privately, he has advised that the problem is plantar fascia, I have been advised to massage the area, also to have it bangaged up for support for a month (day time only) and if no improvement to come back for possible steroid injections (oouch...painful...the injections!) and to do some exercises, one of which is to roll a tin on the floor using the arch of the foot (there are other exercises too).

Sorry to hear you're having trouble AP. Pain in the achilles tendon area might well be due to some inflamation of the tendon itself, but more likely the covering sheath of the tendon. If the usual rest and anti inflammatories don't help, check that you don't have excessive pronation of the ankle joint; this can occur when the foot sometimes flattens as part of the aging process in some people- simple orthotics might help. I'd also check for trigger points in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, which sometimes occur along the central path of the muscle, or at the head of the muscles behind the knee.These can refer pain down to the heel. An acupuncturist could try to deactivate these- shouldn't take too many sessions.

David

thanks fo rthe advice. I can't take anti inflammatories (asthma), am resting it as much as possible, but even when i am sitting with foot up or laying I still get the pain (not constant)

best wishes

Thanks everyone for your advice. I paid out to see a doctor privately, he has advised that the problem is plantar fascia, I have been advised to massage the area, also to have it bangaged up for support for a month (day time only) and if no improvement to come back for possible steroid injections (oouch...painful...the injections!) and to do some exercises, one of which is to roll a tin on the floor using the arch of the foot (there are other exercises too).

Hi AtlanticPearl,
sometimes the easiest solutions are the best. I would also recommend glute stretching as this has direct implications on plantar fascia.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I paid out to see a doctor privately, he has advised that the problem is plantar fascia, I have been advised to massage the area, also to have it bangaged up for support for a month (day time only) and if no improvement to come back for possible steroid injections (oouch...painful...the injections!) and to do some exercises, one of which is to roll a tin on the floor using the arch of the foot (there are other exercises too).

I had Plantar Fascitis back in 2006. After trying massage, reiki, ibuprofen, rest, ice, stretching etc for several months I had to succumb to the steroid injections (had two lots three months apart) I was recommended to wear gel heel pads in all of my footwear, which I pretty much do to this day. Fingers crossed it hasn't come back. I hope yours doesn't get to the injection stage but I am so glad I did have them it got so bad I was walking on only half of my foot most of the time and was getting knee and leg pain as a result.

I had Plantar Fascitis back in 2006. After trying massage, reiki, ibuprofen, rest, ice, stretching etc for several months I had to succumb to the steroid injections (had two lots three months apart) I was recommended to wear gel heel pads in all of my footwear, which I pretty much do to this day. Fingers crossed it hasn't come back. I hope yours doesn't get to the injection stage but I am so glad I did have them it got so bad I was walking on only half of my foot most of the time and was getting knee and leg pain as a result.

That is a shame that you had to use steroid injections for relief. We treat quite a lot of plantar fasciitis in my clinic, very successfully, using myofascial release.

That is a shame that you had to use steroid injections for relief. We treat quite a lot of plantar fasciitis in my clinic, very successfully, using myofascial release.

If it does happen next time, I will have to have myofascial release done instead. Apparently too many injections can thin the membranes, don't really want that happening.

Hello there,
I have to agree with Podorama. A podiatrist with an interest in biomechanics will be able to address any underlying biomechanical cause along with a treatment plan for pain relief, thus helping to prevent reoccurence of the problem.