Weird injury -- achilles tendon?

[ElizabethS]

Okay, here's a weird thing: for just over a month now, the back of my right ankle aches when I point my toe. If I insist on pointing it for awhile (say, because I'm sitting in Child's Pose or something), then it hurts quite a bit to un-point it. But after that it's fine again.

I can't recall a physical trauma that caused this, although it started when I was going through some emotional trauma (death in the family).

Actually it's a lot less bad now as it was a month ago, and I haven't found it necessary to curtail any of my workouts (which are mostly step, FIRM weight training, and some yoga and kickboxing). It really doesn't bother me at all, unless I stand/sit there and point my toe. So I'm inclined to just forget it and be glad it seems to be going away.

The only reason I'm still a little concerned is that my mother tore her Achilles' tendon when she was about 38 years old, and ever since then I've been really paranoid about injuries like that, since I've gathered that weak tendons are somewhat genetic. In an effort not to predispose myself to this problem (as my mother had done), I almost never wear high heels, and I try to be really good about stretching that tendon even when I'm not exercising.

At any rate, my husband and I will be vacationing all summer long and doing fairly intense outdoor activities (like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro), and I'm becoming worried that my tendon could just spontaneously snap at some terribly inconvenient point this summer. Is anyone knowledgeable about injuries like the one I'm describing? Do you think there's anything for me to be concerned about? I feel a bit silly going to the doctor and saying "the back of my heel hurt for about a month, but it's better now -- do you think it could be serious?" Actually I feel silly saying that here too, but at least there's no copay.... What do you think?

 

[Joanna]

Hi Elizabeth!

Hey, we've been thinking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro also. Are you going with a group? Love to hear about it...

And, my husband is an orthopaedic surgeon, I just spoke with him and he says "I refuse to give advice over the internet"

! Rats... Here's what he did say, that it is impossible to say if you're setting up for injury without an examination, that sometimes people get tendonitis before tearing their Achilles' tendon, but not necessarily. And, if it feels better now that is good but no guarantee. How's that for not giving advice?!? One of his favorite sayings is that advice is worth what you pay for it

...he gets a lot of questions that are tough to answer and he finds that that comment usually quiets people down...

For what its worth...

Joanna

 

[ElizabethS]

Thanks Joanna!

RE: Kilimanjaro -- Our climb is an optional add-on to a group trip with Thomsons Safaris. However, my husband and I expect to be the only two people doing the add-on, so it will be us, two porters, and a guide. That's sort of a group! We'll be doing the Tanzania trip as part of an all-sumer-long traveling experience (celebrating a novel summer of freedom after my husband leaves the Air Force and I my current job, but before he finds another job and I start graduate school). I'm trying to set up a website on which we can post trip updates (including whether we summitted Kili or succumbed to altitude sickness, and in general how the trip went), so if you'd be interested in our updates I can send you the URL when it's ready.

RE: Achilles Tendon -- Your husband is quite right not to give medical advice over the internet. As it happens, though, I didn't want a diagnosis, just a reality check -- i.e., does this in fact sound like a potential injury or an injury waiting to happen, and if so what should I do? I take it from his response that I should see a doctor, but even so I don't know what kind. Do you think an orthopedist would be the appropriate sort of specialist?

Thanks again!

 

[Joanna]

Yes, absolutely!

I'd love to hear all about your trip...all the way to the summit

!! We have been looking at a trip through REI - have you heard of their tours? The idea sounds great but the reality could be a real shock, so I'm glad to have you do it first

.

And, my husband said 'absolutely' see an orthopaeidic surgeon for your complaint. So much can be revealed by exam and x-ray, that it would be worth the visit, if only for peace of mind.

Joanna