Inflammation of Achilles Tendon

annie_mial
annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
edited 26. Feb 2010, 16:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
Anyone know anything about this? I was diagnosed with it this morning at a Foot Clinic appointment. Rather unfortunately the doctor running the clinic was one I'd crossed swords with some time ago....I have always found him to be patronising and condescending in his manner and some years ago he dismissed me as being just another neurotic woman.........since then I've been diagnosed with several medical conditions; had he been more inclined to help I could have had at least three of them diagnosed much earlier.

Due to that I did not want to ask questions, but can't get in to see my own GP for about 10 days. He offered no advice or solutions or treatment and I wondered if there was anything I could do in the meantime. I have been unable to wear any kind of full shoe for a long time - I couldn't really go out in the snow as I couldn't wear a pair of boots for more than half an hour, it was just too painful.
I'm guessing it has something to do with the inflammatory arthritis I have, anyone else got this?

Annie

Comments

  • bluebeard
    bluebeard Member Posts: 260
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    rest your feet if possible

    can u keep away from walking for a while ?...certainly dont walk anywhere unless u have to

    use ice or heat or your tendon...4 or 5 times a day

    and do gentle self massage on the area that hurts
    using your fingers ...just get movement into the area

    I use deep heat or ralgex cream ?

    vicks or tiger balm , anything like that
  • denpen
    denpen Member Posts: 389
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie
    About 2 weeks I too was diagnosed with problems with my achilles tendon going into my foot, when I first saw the consultant he said it was plantar fisicitus that was 2 years ago, having just seen the podiatrist who specialises in bio mechanics she diagnosed me correctly I have been in terrible pain with this for years the only thing that I find helps me is them type of footwear that I buy I found that I need one with anti shock in the heel look at the comfort range of shoes in selected shops ( I dont think we are allowed to advertise on this site so I will pm you with the shoes that I have been buying).
    The podiatrist said they will make me some insoles if I want, but as I am having a THR soon there is no point making them just yet.
    Denise.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie,
    My OH had this a couple of years ago, he has oa of the knee, and his gp said it was due to walking differently because of his knee, he had to slowly stretch his calf daily,take pain killers, and use ice packs on it.
    He also bought some insoles from the chemist, that seemed to help.
    He got up one day and it was gone, has quick has it came on.
    Hope this is some help Annie
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Bluebeard, Denise and Barbara - I have replied, Denise.

    Blue, unfortunately I have to stay moving otherwise the rest of me seizes up. I do put them up - literally - a couple of times a day. I've been getting by wearing clogs and mules, but I'd dearly love a pair of shoes for when it's cold and wet.

    Barbara, I've tried the insoles, but all they did was push my foot up slightly in the shoe and the back seam was then even more painful. My left foot isn't as bad as the right, but I can't even bear to put that one on the bed now, I have to have a pillow under it if I want to lie on my back. Goodness, I hope this goes away overnight, like your OH's did!

    I will keep checking, I have done some internet looking, but haven't found anything helpful so far.

    Thanks to all of you.

    Annie
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie,

    Its a very sweeping statement he gave you there..... You nee to see a different doctor and find out whats making it inflamed (if its not what Denise suggested, though it does sound like it could be). Is there a structural, mechanical or infection reason why its inflamed..... see this is what he should have said and well just get it checked out proper Flower. I'm off to sky rant, you want me to chuck a few lines in for you as well :wink: Luv and a ((( ))) xx
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Please, Cris, throw in several for me........I'm working on the foot problem and will see about it as soon as. It's getting too bad now to ignore..........and he didn't help just telling me I'd got inflammation there, that bit was obvious! But I couldn't be bothered to try and pin him down any further 'cos we'd have another falling-out!

    Annie
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie,

    When do you next see your Rumo? If its not soon I would ask to see a 'real' doctor :wink: I shall throw you in a tone of sentences cus a lot of them are so similar to mine its would work for both of us...... not all min, unless you been dragging a bin out :roll: I keep forgetting to mention mine to either Rumo or pain clinic doc...... I shall have a look at what Denise is on about cus it might fit..... Inflammation responds well to hot and cold fomentations and well I also use rub in oil..... human ones are poss better :wink: xx
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie.

    for two/three years before having my psoriatic arthritis was diagnosed, I went through exactly the same as yourself. I couldn't walk and the pain was indescribable. I was walking on tip toe for months because I couldn't put my weight on my heel.
    It was the onset of arthritis in my feet, especially my right heel, which is 1" fatter than my right because of the inflammation. It is still swollen even though the MTX and other meds are doing their job.
    My foot, however, is quite deformed now. I was referred to the Podiatrist at the same time as I was referred to OT and everyone else once my Psoriatic arthritis was diagnosed.
    Padders do the best range of shoes, I know they are not glamourous but I find some of them so comfortable for me. I bought a couple of pairs, then took them to the podiatrist who then made me special insoles, the right one being given extra work tohelp keep my foot straight. It is starting to go to the right.
    Ice packs are the best thing to put on it And do not think you are being a waste of time, hypocondriac whatever, you are not.
    And I am sure that the drs in your practice do not think you are Just get that message of your mind.

    And do try to rest up this weekend.

    good luck

    Joy
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Joy, thanks, I will have a look at Padders, see if they have anything with a smooth heel lining.

    I hope it's not PsA for me, too.........but I am sure I will get a referral, I am working on it.

    Cris, I see the Rheumy again in 5 weeks.........but she already knows I have the problem........maybe she is hoping that the metho will help it.
    Annie