Achilles tendinitis

TheEdgeGym · August 8th, 2007, 12:33 PM

hey guys, with football starting up and such im going to be doing a lot of running, and i don't know what it is about football but i seem to get a case of Achilles tendinitis every time. dose any1 know a way to prevent this from happening, and if i feel it starting, what should i do? i know this sounds like a little kid asking all these questions but i just want some fast nice answers, thanks.

**bigpurp** · August 8th, 2007, 01:27 PM

Sounds like you need to stretch your calves a lot.

What type of shoes are you training in? Do they have a hard heel sole? Do lots of uphill running?

**pliny_2001** · August 8th, 2007, 03:14 PM

Are you sure it's tendonitis? B/c if it is, then the only solution is taking about 4 weeks off, along with some lower-weight rehab.

Tendonitis has alot to do with tendons needing more recovery time than muscles. I really doubt if it has anything to do with inflammation (most MD's disagree, but I think they're wrong), so NSAID's/corticosteroids don't really seem to have an effect on healing, though they can offer some pain relief.

Because it's due to a series of small tears, and may get worse due to collagen "leaking" out of the tendons if left untreated, the risk of rupturing your achilles is highly elevated due to tendonitis in your Achilles tendon. It's too close to the season beginning to pre-emptively strengthen your tendon, so you should work at doing less exercise/running. Otherwise, you just staring at a good chance for a pretty serious injury.

Of course, if you've got some time, you could gradually increase your running. Hopefully the tendons will have enough time to strengthen up so that by the time football starts they're capable of taking the pounding.

**mooshue** · August 8th, 2007, 04:55 PM

now i used to get what i think you are describing when playing softball, left fielder so lots of running on not so nice turf. I noticed that when i started doing my cardio outdoors in the same type of not so nice turf vs inside on a treadmill that the pain eventually got less and less in the ankles/calf area. I just chalked it up to my lower half not being used to having deal with those types of elements and once it was trained to do so regularly it was able to recoup faster.
Unfortunately once the season starts though, football coaches are typcially dicks that believe rest is for pussies so they push you to the point of total exhaustion never getting time to recoup and heal so i dunno how to help you there.

TheEdgeGym · August 8th, 2007, 08:33 PM

ight cool thx for all you help guys, but just to clear things up i DO NOT have Achilles tendinitis right now. i was just wanting to know all the ways to prevent it, and i think it is the turf thats outside that is the number 1 factor because im not over weight, i weigh 210 at 6'4..

just to let you guys know what im doing to help prevent Achilles tendinitis (so you can add/tell me that im doing it good enuff)

i stretch it about every hour for about 10 mins.

then i ice it, (i try to get it in about every 2 hours if i can for about 20 mins) and i ice it again after FB practice in the big cold tub.

before practice i use the hot tub for about 20 mins, then i use braces for more support.

i just really want to focus on the stretching, because i think that will help a lot.

**wildstang** · August 8th, 2007, 09:04 PM

looking at this from a runners aspect, i had problems with my feet and heels in my high school days (stoneage) and didnt realize how important it was to have good shoes that absorbed the impact rather then transfering it throughout the leg. and in track the cleats (spikes) just killed!! me, untill i added insoles with a quality heel pad. although we have quite the advancements in technology and there our some really great inserts designed to address various problems such as what your describing now days. i just wish i had the shoes i do my cardio in now back then. cant stress the point enough about getting something in your shoes or new shoes for that matter to absorb the impact.

TheEdgeGym · August 8th, 2007, 09:43 PM

right now i use nike shox for just everyday stuff is that a good pair of shoes? i have under armor cleats (only thing the store had

) and im going to have my trainer put heavy padding in them.

**wildstang** · August 9th, 2007, 02:26 AM

yea the nike shox are a decent pair. i personally prefer saucony for running but thats my preference. as far as the under armor cleats go im unfamiliar with them but i suggest you purchase a high quality replacement insert such as a gel sole or equilavent paying more attention to the heel area when selecting them.<<<(cheaper) (some models have various thicknesses) thicker the better. or good orthotics design with proper arch support also. <<<(spendier)as far as the cheap padding generic designs.....dont waste your money!

TheEdgeGym · August 14th, 2007, 06:46 AM

Can any1 recommend me a REALLY good pair of in soles, focusing on the arch and heel of the foot. thanks.

don2501 · August 14th, 2007, 08:00 AM

Buddy be careful! I ignored the soreness and ended up with chronic achilles pain for 6-7 years.
You must give it a chance to recover - I think I saw an earlier post that said 4 weeks. Plenty of ice and strengthening of the ankle. Use surgical tube to work the ankle in all directions.
Trust me, give yourself time now or yo uwill pay later. Best of Luck!

TheEdgeGym · August 14th, 2007, 08:04 AM

when you say "chronic achilles pain for 6-7 years" dose that mean you could barley walk, or just when running you had pain?