Achilles Heel

[SpokeyDokey]

Two days after a bike ride last week I was walking around local supermarket when I had a sharp pain at the back of my ankle and started limping.

Been limping on and off since. Not a big pain but just sore/tender to the touch.

Can't think of anything else I could've done to cause it.

Seems a strange cycling injury to me (is it?) as I have tried the full range of pedaling motions best I can and there is no pain at all.

Ride on and see what happens or just rest it?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I limp on ....friendless.

 

[Ganymede]

Soz SpokeyDokey, I've only just seen this, been offline for a day or so. GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!! It is possible that you have snapped your Achilles tendon - it's much more likely to be a walking injury than a cycling one. My OH had this from doing a forward defensive stroke in cricket and he hobbled about for a couple of days before going in for surgery.

Not all achilles breaks need surgery - they might put you in a plastic boot for a while, but they will want you to keep your weight off it. It was an utter bore but Mr G made a full recovery and was even back skiing after only a few months. Unfortunately it coincided with the beginning of a really cold winter so I ended up having to get the logs in all the time!

 

[Ganymede]

Of course it's now Friday night so you will have to go to Casualty instead. Suggest waiting till the morning!

 

[vickster]

In the meantime, RICE (Rest being the most important) and painkillers

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thank you for replies - I'll take it easy on it and keep off bike (not difficult with the current weather).

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

If you can walk on it, it's most likely not torn - rather inflamed. The achilles runs though a sheath to the underside of the foot. A tweak (MTBing for me) can be exacerbated without rest (as I did)

Ended up at a sport therapist and ~7days off with gentle transition back into training. £20 vs a doctor/referral saves a lot of hassle

 

[Ganymede]

If you can walk on it, it's most likely not torn - rather inflamed. The achilles runs though a sheath to the underside of the foot. A tweak (MTBing for me) can be exacerbated without rest (as I did)

Ended up at a sport therapist and ~7days off with gentle transition back into training. £20 vs a doctor/referral saves a lot of hassle

It's the original sudden sharp pain that worries me in the OP though... sudden events are not just inflammation, surely? Though I suppose you may be right, could have had a big twinge followed by inflammation. Anyway, go to the Doc, Spokey, and GWS.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

I knew nothing until the morning after, walking down stairs of all places

 

[MarkF]

My achilles went playing footie, at 50, I've had 3 friends (45-50) suffer it from football, to varying degrees, within the last 2 years.

If the pain does not clear up, demand an MRI, I was told it was nothing to worry about but I knew something was up. I had an MRI and it showed it was partially torn, I had to create havoc to get an proper repair operation, the NHS wanted to leave it to "heal" (I didn't see how), because of my age.

 

[coffeejo]

Mine 'goes' every so often (inflamed rather than torn) and only ever whilst walking and usually in the dullest of situations, like going round the supermarket. It can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks to fully recover. Rest up and see your GP.

(And just to refresh everyone's memories: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation )