Achilles tendon pain

[ausgirl]

On Sunday's ride I had this weird pain in the back of my leg just above the ankle, but not in the calf, it was there from almost the beginning of the ride. It was pretty bad on the flats, but sort of ok going up hills. Maybe it's because i pedal differently uphill to on flats. Anyway, I asked this girl on the ride who has a human movement science degree about it and she said it was my achilles tendon and that i could have a strain in it. I went home after the ride and iced it, massaged it and rested as told. I tried to ride this morning but turned around after 5km because of the pain. I am going to the GP this afternoon. Has anyone else had a problem like this? I thought achilles tendon injuries happened in runners, not cyclists. And before you mention it, I don't point my toes (ie, pedal with toes down and heel up).

[ausgirl]

Well, I went to my GP and he said it was definitely inflamed. He gave me some anti-inflammatory tablets to take and some over the counter anti-inflammatory gel to rub in. He also said I have to take 1-2 weeks off the bike...In the middle of the road season and when some of the big races are starting to come up! I am not impressed, but if it fixes it...

[annie]

Well, that stinks, ausgirl! But if you trust your GP, probably best to do as he says. You don't want it to get any worse. Hopefully, one week off will be all you'll need. If you keep busy doing other things, the time should go past quickly. Keep us posted on your progress.

Here's wishes for a speedy healing!

annie

[ausgirl]

Thanks Annie. One thing he warned me of is that if this medicine makes the pain go away and I get back on the bike, we don't know if the problem will recurr or flare up again. So it seems like he's not sure about what it is, but hoping this will fix the problem. I'll go back next week for a check up.

[betagirl]

You didn't happen to be taking the antibiotic "Cipro" at the time? That stuff can impact your achilles tendon and if you do strenuous exercise while on it, can cause inflammation and damage to it.

Just one of those left field what if's

[ausgirl]

Thanks for the idea, but no I haven't taken any antibiotics in months. So, how does that stuff affect the achilles tendon?

[wavedancer]

Cipro and other antibiotics in the same class (Levaquin, Tequin, Avelox) can rarely cause spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture. Don't know the mechanism, not sure if it is known why it happens. Just one of those weird adverse reactions.

Linda

[betagirl]

There you have it

Sometimes I have to take cipro, so my doc has told me about the rare but possible achilles tendon damage. Man how much would that suck?

[ausgirl]

Getting achilles tendon damage from antibiotics would suck.

As for me, my coach and I decided "what would a GP know about muscular and tendon damage?!" and so i went to a physio. She said i had a small tear. Now the physio has got me doing massage, stretching and taping the area. With it taped i can do light rides, gradually getting longer and harder. I went to the physio for the 2nd time today and she is impressed with how its going and i should be fine in a few weeks, though i'll still need to be careful.

The lesson is - go to a physio for muscular or tendon problems, they know more about it and sport than the GP.

[annie]

Smart move, ausgirl! Glad you are doing better. Hope it continues to improve. I guess that proves that it pays to go to a specialist.

annie