In the last year I have developed serious achilles tendonitis in both legs, but more pronouncedly in my left leg. Swimming has been deemed OK exercise, although pushing off the wall is painful!
But I have not been able to run at all in months. Even walking now hurts. I went to the sports medicine clinic, the doc recommended anti-inflamatories, a program of calf strengthening and stretching exercises, and a series of dextrose injections - both in the nerve to deaden pain and in the tendon tears to promote healing. I am on the waiting list (o wonderful public health!) so won't be able to get the injections for 6 to 12 weeks. So my question is - has anyone heard of this procedure?
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Former Member
thanks for the imput. Jim, what you say is in line with what the sports med. doctor said, and the heel drop exercises you describe are similar to the ones he gave me.
As for laying off, I have! Almost a year of no running, no soccer, but lots of ice, gentle stretching and Advil. It's gotten worse, not better (whereas I used to think nothing of running 5 - 10 km several times a week, I now look for parking spaces close to the door...) Hence I've gone to sports med.
Another thing I was advised to do was wear a night splint - a "Strassbourg sock" that keeps my foot flexed at 90 degrees when I sleep. After only a week I notice a lot less pain and stiffness in my ankle when I take those first few steps in the morning. But talk about an uncomfortable sleep! Anyone ever worn one of these sock/splints? I think they were developed primarily for plantar fascitis.
thanks for the imput. Jim, what you say is in line with what the sports med. doctor said, and the heel drop exercises you describe are similar to the ones he gave me.
As for laying off, I have! Almost a year of no running, no soccer, but lots of ice, gentle stretching and Advil. It's gotten worse, not better (whereas I used to think nothing of running 5 - 10 km several times a week, I now look for parking spaces close to the door...) Hence I've gone to sports med.
Another thing I was advised to do was wear a night splint - a "Strassbourg sock" that keeps my foot flexed at 90 degrees when I sleep. After only a week I notice a lot less pain and stiffness in my ankle when I take those first few steps in the morning. But talk about an uncomfortable sleep! Anyone ever worn one of these sock/splints? I think they were developed primarily for plantar fascitis.
