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Nicholas G.
Nicholas G. Sendmail

Achilles Tedonitis (Tendonosis) Cure ?!?

posted over 1 year ago | Report

While training for my first marathon, I developed what I thought was a mild case of achilles tendonitis. I rested, iced, and made it through the marathon. However, after the general post-marathon soreness subsided, I was left with constant pain and an odd "creaking" in my achilles tendon. The common suggestions for tendonitis were rest, ice, and ibuprofen. I did all of the above for 2 weeks with little improvement.

While browsing forums online, I came across several articles on tendonosis, which is kind of like tendonitis, but is degenerative, nagging, and does not respond well to ice and ibuprofen. Several articles mentioned promising studies that showed marked improvement for patients who used a dedicated program of eccentric loading.

I read more about eccentric loading, which for treatment of the achilles tendon, is essentially weighted calf raises. The treatment seemed counterintuitive. How would stretching and putting the tendon under stress help decrease the pain? I was skeptical, but with a 2nd marathon only a few weeks away, I was also desperate.

I began the program found here (http://www.carletonsportsmed.com/chronic_achilles_tendinitis.htm) and dilligently followed the instructions every day for the 3 weeks leading up to my second marathon. I made sure to use a full range of motion for each rep, as recommended by the program. At first, it hurt, and I was weary. But, after just one week, I noticed a difference. After 3 weeks, not only did my achilles tendon hold up during the marathon, but I also had no tendon pain in the days following (which was more than I could say for the rest of my legs.) I am no doctor, so I can only say that this therapy has definitely worked for me. I encourage anyone out there with achilles tendon problems to research eccentric loading and give it a try. It's simple, costs nothing, backed by research, and has worked for this Daily Miler.

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  • Douglas S.
    Douglas S. Sendmail

    tendons can be funny things as you've found out. often rest, ice and ibuprofen don't do the trick. glad you found the solution.

    posted over 1 year ago

  • Futurefitgirl
    Futurefitgirl Sendmail

    thanks for posting this, I am going to try it out. I have been having pain not only when exercising, but when resting also. sharp sensations shooting through my achilles. so painful.

    posted about 1 year ago

  • Jarrod D.
    Jarrod D. Sendmail

    definitely going to try this.

    posted 10 months ago

  • Nicholas G.
    Nicholas G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jarrod D. said:definitely going to try this.

    I hope it works for you, Jarrod. It's been several months since I started this program, and I'm happy to report that I have not had any more achilles issues. Good luck!

    posted 10 months ago

  • Kate T.
    Kate T. Sendmail

    Thanks for posting Nicholas. I came to the "injury" forum looking for any discussions on achilles pain ... and here you are. This is exactly what I've been experiencing the last few days and my 1/2 marathon is just a few days away - yesterday's run was agony. I'm definitely going to try the program you recommend.

    posted 9 months ago

  • Nicholas G.
    Nicholas G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Kate T. said:Thanks for posting Nicholas. I came to the "injury" forum looking for any discussions on achilles pain ... and here you are. This is exactly what I've been experiencing the last few days and my 1/2 marathon is just a few days away - ye... read more

    Ouch, that's tough, especially so close to your race. I'm not sure how much this will help over the next few days, but it might offer some longer term relief. Good luck at your half!

    posted 9 months ago

  • Kate T.
    Kate T. Sendmail
    in reply to what Nicholas G. said:Ouch, that's tough, especially so close to your race. I'm not sure how much this will help over the next few days, but it might offer some longer term relief. Good luck at your half!

    I'm crossing my fingers! Today's 8k went much better - they hurt for the first 15 min or so but not nearly like yesterday. I'm a little worried but I guess all I can do is think long term.

    posted 9 months ago

  • Carolyn
    Carolyn Sendmail

    Hey Nicholas,
    I just did a search on Achilles pain and found you here- my dh friend.

    I'm excited to take a look at your link as I'm in the middle of my marathon training and hoping I can continue on.

    Thanks for posting this! It looks like it has continued to help you as I haven't ready any problems with this on your posts lately.

    posted 6 months ago

  • Nicholas G.
    Nicholas G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Carolyn said:Hey Nicholas, I just did a search on Achilles pain and found you here- my dh friend. I'm excited to take a look at your link as I'm in the middle of my marathon training and hoping I can continue on. Thanks for posting this! It looks like it ... read more

    It's helped me. Now my problem is remembering to do the exercises since I don't have the pain to remind me!

    posted 6 months ago

  • Irv E.
    Irv E. Sendmail

    Just saw this post for the first time. You're right that this treatment sounds counterintuitive, even to the person who "invented" the eccentric loading protocol. He was having Achilles issues and first tried this protocol to actually snap his Achilles. He was surprised to find that it alleviated the tendonosis, instead. One caveat about this method is that it doesn't work as well for insertional tendonosis (at the tendon insertion point with the heel). There is some modification (not dropping your heel below horizontal) that is supposed to give better results with insertional tendonosis. With me, eccentric heel drops of every variation I could think of didn't really help after developing Achilles issues following my first marathon. I was able to continue running, but I was never free of the pain. After my second marathon, I started doing the eccentric loading using a Thera-band for resistance instead of my own body weight. This completely alleviated my Achilles issues so that I was completely pain free for my third marathon a few weeks ago. After running with pain for almost a year, this transformation felt like it was miraculous.

    posted 6 months ago | edited 6 months ago

  • Walter B.
    Walter B. Sendmail

    Graston technique works wonders as well. Kara Gouchner came upon it and I tried it and it was instant relief on my achilles. Its all part of stretching and rolling out the "garbage" as I like to explain to others that builds up along the tendon and bone. Its mostly calcium deposits and when you rub them out and stretch it hurts like hell but is an instant cure to rehab.

    posted 6 months ago

  • Nicholas G.
    Nicholas G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Walter B. said:Graston technique works wonders as well. Kara Gouchner came upon it and I tried it and it was instant relief on my achilles. Its all part of stretching and rolling out the "garbage" as I like to explain to others that builds up along the... read more

    Very interesting, Walter. I'm going to check this out.

    posted 6 months ago

  • Walter B.
    Walter B. Sendmail

    Most A.R.T. (active release technique) doctors can do it. I have been able to be back running hard weeks vs. Months sooner than going though physical therapy.

    posted 6 months ago

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