Just Diagnosed and have to whine

S

SusanR

Cathlete
Hi All,
I usually lurk more than I post but I had to post today because this is the only place where I know I can get sympathy.

For about 1 year I have had pain in the back of my heel. It wasn't ever extremely painful just annoying most of the time.
I took time of a few times and it helped but it just got worse again.

Well, lately it started hurting so bad that I had to stop exercising. So I finally decided to go to the doctor.

He told me I have Achilles Tendonitis and bone spurs. YUCK!!!!
He has me doing no cardio except for riding a bike or swimming and taking an anti-inflamatory daily. I told him that I have done that before and it helped for awhile but just got worse again. I also told him that I refuse to give up working out.
He then said that he doesn't really think taking 2 weeks off would cure the problem and that I would probably have to have surgery. That means 5 weeks in a cast and then about 3-4 more weeks of recovery.

Iam not happy about surgery but if it cures the problem and I can keep working out then that is what I will do.

Iam mad at myself for not going to the doctor sooner because now it is coming upon summer and I don't want to be in a cast 5 weeks through the summer.

Sorry this was so long. I just had to post this because I knew you all would understand.

Has anyone had surgery for achilles tendonitis or bone spurs?

Thanks,
SusanR
 
Oh Susan!

I am so sorry! Go ahead and moan and get it off your chest. We are a captive audience for these sorts of moments, and you are by no means alone with this upset. I feel for you, and I am concerned, because I have been having these annoying heel disturbances too! It's not pain, but it nags, and I can't do step workouts because of it.

Surgery sounds drastic, but could be the only solution that is long term and that will eventually allow you to get back to your fitness levels and go beyond. It is easy to talk and much more difficult to listen and go through this experience, but I hope you can look at the long term perspective rather than the short term. Biking and swimming aren't my preferred activities either, but as your convalecence activities, they could work to your advantage.

I used to have to go back to swimmming as a long distance runner whenever my knees acted up, and I resented it, but it does keep your fitness levels up while you rest specific joints. So, try to turn it to your advantage. Another time I fractured my ankle right before going to Spain for a year as a student and they forced me into a plaster cast. As soon as I could I removed it and began swimming. It worked beautifully as physiotherapy. Think of all the upper body and abs training you will be getting, it will make the second half of Power Hour that much easier!

So, it sounds like it is time for some operative cure, then cross training physio therapy for you. A Summer isn't wasted if it spent putting into place the pieces of a fitnes jigsaw that can be completed at a later date. Are there other projects you need to get done this Summer while you rest that ankle? Could be time to explore some of your creative sides or maybe travel around Europe by train and see the sights? Something to take your mind off it....

Susan, can I also ask you to document a little the history of this injury s I can compare it to my own case and see if I need some professional advice? Thanks. And my fingers are crossed for you for a speedy recovery.

All the best

Clare
 
Hi Clare,
The bad thing about swimming is I hate it and I hate water. So swimming is really out.

I know exactly when it started. I was running (actually probably more like sprinting) and I all of a sudden got this pain in my heel.

It hurts when I do running, step and aerobic activity and just climbing stairs can make it hurt also (the doctor actually told me to try and avoid stairs). It only feels better when my heel is higher than my toes (like wearing high heel shoes). Because putting my heel up it isn't causing strain on the achilles tendon.

Planar Faciitis also causes heel pain. But it originates from the bottom of your foot instead of the achilles tendon that is in the calf.

I would recommend doing some research on the web and also go see a doctor. My doctor told me he could have possibly fixed it without surgery if I would have come in sooner.

Good Luck,
I hope you don't have a serious problem.
 
RE: Meeee tooo

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Apr-22-02 AT 01:56PM (Est)[/font][p]I haven't had the surgery but my Pops had bone spur surgery on his heel and he healed right up and hasn't had a recurrence for over 8 years. I am going through low back issues and my latest therapy-starting next week if the insurance OK's it-entails no working out for 8 weeks, including walking for more than 10 minutes. Not even situps, no yoga, NADA. But I had to come to grips with the same reality you have: sacrifice now to win in the long run. Don't be upset with yourself, your doc probably wouldn't diagnose it correctly if you went in the first time it hurt. It took 2 years for a doc to finally send me for an MRI, and boy was he shocked when the radiology came back with several problems. I really do understand how hard it is to contemplate, but just think, it's better than hearing "Sorry, we can't fix it with today's technology."
I myself am joining a book club and checking out a bunch of books from the library for this period to try and stay sane. I was thinking of taking a 2 week photography course: I always wanted to, never had the time. Maybe you could treat yourself somehow during this whole deal. I wish you luck,Susan, and a speedy recovery!
 
Susan:

thanks for the info. Actually mine sounds more like the planar faciitis thingy. I'm off to do research.

Good luck by the way again

Clare
 
RE: Meeee tooo

Hi Kristina,

That is encouraging that your Pops healed and he hasn't had a recurrence.

Iam so sorry to hear about your back. I wish you the best on a quick recovery.

Susan
 
Hey SusanR
I hope you get a second opinion.
I have bone spurs in my ankle.
Two Dr. told me surgary and my final Dr. a orthopedist who specialized in ankles only said no way. We did some adjustments to my workout routine. I had to learn to take it easy for a summer - Could still work out just no more long runs.
Long story short didn't need surgery and am back to doing semi-long runs. Part of my deal was I would probably never be ablt to do marathon type distances anymore. At first the bugged me but now I am completely satisfied with a 10 mile run.

On swimming I hated water to.
However I decided I wanted to do a triatholon (must in hopes of getting more none weight bearing exercising in) and have started to take swim lesson. Best thing I have ever done. I actually enjoy my time in the pool now. Going to the pool is one of my favorite activities.
You can also get quite the workout biking.
That's always what I go back to if I have been to hard on my ankle and need to give it a rest.
 
Thanks for your comments. I went to a foot specialist/surgeon (podiatric). I also did some research on the internet and it said that I have a chronic case and surgery is the only solution.

I did go to the gym and ride a stationary bike and it surprisingly gave me a good workout. Probably because I never do it and it was something new.

I have also thought about having swimming lessons. My daughter and husband are excellent swimmers and they go swimming quite often. I think why I hate it is because I wear contacts and I hate getting water in my eyes.

Thanks,
Susan
 
Hi Susan,
About 4 years ago I had exactly the same two things. My achilles hurt from over doing it (did too much in one day) and also I had sore heels. My achilles did get better after a couple of weeks just by resting it, doing only things that did not hurt it. My heels slowly got better by 1. I started to wear heel pads in my shoes. 2. I started only wearing very good shoes if I was going to be on my feet a lot (good cushioning). Also, I did cut down on my running since that hurt my heels the most (and my knees) but if I did run, I only ran on soft surfaces ex: trials-never cement. I hope this helps. Working out with my tapes seems to be the best for my knees, heels and achilles.
Joanne
 
Susan I am glad to hear that you went to a foot specialist. My opinion only but I think that ortho's who generalize can be a bit surgery happy.

As for swimming. I had some serious swimming issues in the past
A. I hated getting my hair wet (I mean really really really hated this - I can't even put into words how much I hated this)
B. Got water in the eyes and hated it
C. Overwhelming feeling that I would sink
D. This amazing urge to keep my head out of water for fear of not being able to breathe.

Swimming lessons helped resolve many of these problems.
A. I got a swim cap doesn't keep my hair completely wet but it works
B. Started wearing goggles. I wear glasses so I just put my goggles on and can only see about 2 feet in front of me but it keeps the water out of my eyes. I am eventually going to get contacts for when I swim so I can see the other side of the pool. However not being able to see around me really helped me get over feeling sef-consicious (sp) in the pool.
C. I didn't have proper body alingment in the pool so lessons helped deal with this. Also my swim instructor has me start with exercises to make me feel comfortable in the water. I start every swim session by floating face down on a kickboard for 2 minutes. This helps develop my comfort level in the pool.
D. Swim lesson corrected my arm stroke so I can now breathe and don't have to always keep my head out of the water.

This is probably more information then you want to know but thought I'd share since biking and swimming would be you only options for some time.
 
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for your input. When it first happened I took a couple of weeks off and it didn't get better. Then a few months later I took a whole month off and it was better but after I started working out again it started hurting again. I also cut back on the running since that was what I was doing when I hurt it.

The doctor has me wearing shoes with a high heel. Do the heel pads you use raise your heel? Where did you buy them?

Thanks,
Susan
 
Susan:

I used to swim with my contacts in: with good fitting goggles, it doesn't matter! Go right ahead! Wet them first, then put them on, then re-adjust for tight fit after a lap or two. Works a treat.

Clare
 
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