tendonitis - help

[DarloRich]

I have tendonitis in my right Achilles tendon which i have had, on and off, for years. Too much rugby, football and cricket when younger is to blame coupled with fatness and increasing age. However this time I cant get it to go away using my usual (RICE) coping methods:

• Rest - stop the exercise or activities that caused the injury until you feel better
• Ice - put an ice pack on the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
• Compress - wrap a bandage around the injury to support it
• Elevate - if possible, keep the injured area raised on a pillow when sitting or lying down

I don't want to burden the drs with something like this so wonder if anyone else has any suggestions for treatment/alleviation.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I shouldnt think being fat affects it??? If it does then Iv got off lightly as I got some in my teens as a swimming injury and am rather heavier now than then and it only really comes back at Xmas when Im out doing discos every night and help where I can loading and unloading vans etc.

I tried deap heat last time and it worked so well I havnt been bothered since. Its painful to start with thoug be warned.

 

[Blindtraveler]

If you do want medical advice but dont want to bother your GP have you got a good big full service farmacy near you? I find the farmacists and their assistants are not only good to flirt with but are always up for advising on non urgent issues like this.

I only wish you could consult the wonderful Packistannie gentleman who is the senior person at one of my local ones, he is excillent!

 

[cactustwirly]

I have tendonitis in my right Achilles tendon which i have had, on and off, for years. Too much rugby, football and cricket when younger is to blame coupled with fatness and increasing age. However this time I cant get it to go away using my usual (RICE) coping methods:

• Rest - stop the exercise or activities that caused the injury until you feel better
• Ice - put an ice pack on the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
• Compress - wrap a bandage around the injury to support it
• Elevate - if possible, keep the injured area raised on a pillow when sitting or lying down

I don't want to burden the drs with something like this so wonder if anyone else has any suggestions for treatment/alleviation.

Have you tried taking painkillers such as ibuprofen?

I would also reccommend calling 111, or visiting a pharmacist.

 

[eastwestdivide]

If you've tried the usual methods and they didn't work, then that's what the doctor's for, really.

 

[ainsworth74]

If you've tried the usual methods and they didn't work, then that's what the doctor's for, really.

I must admit that was also my thought!

 

[gordonthemoron]

go to the docs and get Naproxen, i.e. like very strong ibuprofen

 

[PeterC]

For something like this I would see the practice nurse rather than the doctor in the first instance. Aprart from anything else I can usually get an appointment within 24 hours, often same day, while it can be up to a week for a non urgent GP appointment.

 

[Strat-tastic]

What may help is ultrasound treatment. Ask your doctor about it.

I had it for plantar fasciitis initially, and when the physiotherapist learnt about my occasional Achilles Tendonitis she applied the ultrasound there too. I've not had any problems since with either complaint.

 

[DarloRich]

thanks all - i went to the walk in clinic at the Drs and they proscribed some Naproxen and told me to buy the strongest ibuleve type gel in the pharmacy. The swelling has gone down but it is still painful.

 

[fergusjbend]

Achilles tendonitis tends to be a relapsing and remitting condition. It is usually caused by over-use (eg running), or by underlying rheumatic diseases. While the former can be treated by rest, the latter need specialist treatment which might include NSAIDs (naproxen etc), but also special orthotic supports or braces. There is also the risk of weakening or even rupture of the tendon if you continue to exercise.

So, for all these reasons, see a doctor!

 

[DarloRich]

Achilles tendonitis tends to be a relapsing and remitting condition. It is usually caused by over-use (eg running), or by underlying rheumatic diseases. While the former can be treated by rest, the latter need specialist treatment which might include NSAIDs (naproxen etc), but also special orthotic supports or braces. There is also the risk of weakening or even rupture of the tendon if you continue to exercise.

So, for all these reasons, see a doctor!

trust me - it isnt exercise related these days

 

[gordonthemoron]

mine isn't exercise related either

 

[DarloRich]

mine isn't exercise related either

the initial reason was exercise ( rugby, cricket and football) now I think it is just early onset decrepity.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

If you're willing to throw a bit of money at the problem, have you considered simply going privately to see a physiotherapist or an osteopath (yes, on a quick check, it seems osteopaths can treat tendonitis in the ankle.) It's likely to be massively quicker than going to a GP and waiting for a referral.

I'm not a medical expert, so could be completely wrong, but my instinct is that in the long term, this sort of thing probably requires the kind of manipulation/exercises that one of those professions can offer. In London (where I am) you'll probably pay £50-£60 for an appointment of 45 mins or so, which should be enough to get a reasonable diagnosis and some good advice on how to proceed. Possibly it'd be a little cheaper in Milton Keynes?