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achilles sore after long ride,

 
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:57 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: achilles sore after long ride, Reply with quote

Hey Doc,

Last week I went on a 90 mile ride on my single speed road bike. The course was quite hilly and I was pushing a large gear. Halfway through the ride I started noticing pain in my achilles on my right leg. Afterwards it was quite sore and I could feel a slight popping when I rotated my ankle around.

The pain has substanially subsided but there is still a present dull pain and the popping. I have been taking it easy but still commute to work (4 miles with one long hill)

From what I've read I may be suffering from acute achilles tendinitis. My question is should I rest completely or is it ok to do easy training before the pain is gone. I'm trying to be ready for the Torture Test on Jan 6 and need to get the miles in.

Thanks
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The Bike Doc
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Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas

PostPosted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:43 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

daveaugust:

Rest the tendon completely. Achilles’ tendonitis can be a bear if it gets chronically inflamed. If you are still having discomfort after a week of rest, get an evaluation by an orthopedic doctor. Occasionally, severe tendonitis requires splinting for a period of time to rest the tendon, then progressive stretching exercises to help rehabilitate it.

I am sure you have figured this one out, so I will say if for those who are reading and learning: big gear pushing is a fast way to inflame the Achilles tendon. Park you single speed when it comes to big hills, get your geared bike out and spin up those hills. Something happens to us when we leave our teens and twenties, we leave our immortality and invincibility behind. Take care of your body.

Thanks,
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AKA: The Bike Doc
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:32 am GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Doc,

Thanks very much for the reply and advice.

I rested the achilles for about two weeks and it was feeling pretty good so I decided to test it out to make sure I was ready for the upcoming torture test.

Unfornately the achilles started hurting again halfway through the ride and afterwards was quite sore. Over the next few days the pain subsided and now is still present but very dull. The area is not really even tendor.

But I can feel that something is still wrong. My ankle pops when I rotate it and I can feel the tendon rubbing (it feels like its rubbing on sandpaper). In the morning the rubbing sensation is almost gone but by the end of the day it is severe. The friction is easily felt by someone else putting their finger on the tendon. The area is also slightly swollen and I can feel a small bump on the tendon that is not present on the good side. My calf is also becoming increasingly sore. I purchased an ankle brace from a pharmacy but I don't feel like it is supporting the achilles properly.

Like I mentioned the strange thing is the lack of acute pain. I am dreading going to a doctor because I don't have health insurance but I may need to bite the bullet and go anyways. I greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Dave
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The Bike Doc
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Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 1398
Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas

PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:05 am GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave:

You may need to pursue the prolonged resting and even splinting of the foot and ankle to force a manadatory rest and healing of the achilles tendon. I suspect the popping sensation and friction is from the inflamation around the tendon. It is even possible that there may be a partial rupture to the tendon that you are feeling popping. It will be cheeper to see the doctor now than to wait when thins worsen such as a complete achilles tendon rupture. Crying or Very sad Seek an evaluation by an orthopedic doctor ASAP.

Thanks,
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:12 am GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks I'll try and track down a sport's injury specialist ASAP
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