achilles tendonitis in cyclists?

[aviglione]

I have been riding about five days a week 20-30 miles on a felt s32 triathlon bike. I decided to sell it and get a specialized allez elite to concentrate on more hill riding. I have had the bike for about 2 weeks and I have ridden it about 4 times. I just found out that I have achilles tedonitis and I have found and heard mixed info on what I should do next. Can I continue to cycle or should I stop completely. Also I know that the bike shop fit my seat a litte on the high side because of past knee issues and IT band tightness. I have found online that achilles tendonitis occurs in cyclists when the seat is too low. However my seat is on the high side. I am considering taking the bike back and having them adjust it for me more. Does anyone know what I should try adjusting first, what steps I take to rehab my leg, and how long it will take?

[velogirl]

Actually, AT tends to occur in cycling when you toe pedal (see separate thread) and can also be caused when your saddle is too high (causes you to toe pedal -- ahhhh).

If you've got knee and IT band issues, the bike shop shouldn't have put your saddle to high -- this will especially cause the IT band to flare up. I have to question the wisdom of your bike fitter for making a choice like that.

Neither too high or too low is good. Make like Goldilocks, get yourself back to the shop, and ask them to make it just right.

[Nokomis]

The one activity my doctor approved for that is cycling, however that wasn't my trigger. (blunt trauma - ow) Ice it, stretch, and by all means make sure your bike fits well. Make sure your off-bike shoes aren't agrivating the situation. When spinning, make sure your gluets / quads are engaged & doing more work than the calfs. What a bummer, it can take a Long time to heal.

[Duck on Wheels]

My tendonitis came after a strenuous hiking weekend (12 hours out, then 17 back by a tougher route) in boots with no arch support. The physical therapist ordered me to go out and buy the highest heels I dared to wear and wear them most of the day for a week or so. That leaves the achilles tendon pretty much immobilized. I don't recall it taking all that long to heal -- not long enough to really learn to balance on high heals -- but this was years ago so my memory may have de-traumatized itself somewhat.