Running with Achilles tendonitis

[PeterBrash]

Is it a bad idea to run with this injury?

I did couch to 5k about 4 or 5 years ago. Progressed through 10k and even managed a half marathon.

I’d had the odd calf, ankle problem that was usually put right by a bit of rest and then 2 years ago things got a lot worse.

I had about 9 months of private physio/massage last year and slowly got back into running.

Once that stopped the problem came back. Now there’s a bursa on my Achilles, pain every day ranging from nettle sting to shouty and sweary pain that can range from my heel to outside of my calf.

it’s in my right leg and I’ve discovered that driving really aggravates it. Strangely the best that it’s felt in years is the day after I did a 7km run in April. I was pain free and the tendon felt flexible and springy. Two or three days later I drove for two miles and was hobbling.

I’ve been doing exercises and taking anti inflammatories since being referred by my Doctor in October. AFs are helping take the edge off pain but bursa seems more obvious than then. Was hoping to start couch to 5k again in January but not sure whether it’s wise. It might be February or March before I see somebody at the foot and ankle clinic.

anybody with experience of this?

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi PeterBrash , you should never run in pain. So while I'd normally encourage people to get out there and give C25K a go, from what you're saying I don't think it would be wise in your case.

I should add that I have no medical qualifications nor personal experience of achilles tendonitis, and you really need specific advice from a qualified health professional. If they advise against running, you won't have made things worse, and if they say running is fine, then the runs will still be out there waiting for you.

Wishing you a full recovery.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

I have no personal experience of this type of problem so can only echo the advice given by Cmoi with regard to not running with pain and taking professional advice , maybe a sports physio ?

[Liono Graduate]

I don't have any experience of achilles tendonitis, but I have had experience of 2 other types of ankle tendonitis (suspected peroneal tendonitis and now confirmed posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction)! Both types have been exacerbated by driving longer distances.

I wouldn't run with any pain personally - which I know is massively frustrating especially if it doesn't particularly hurt when actually running! The reason mainly being because tendonitis means that the tendon is inflamed and damaged/weaker than normal and I have read enough horror stories about tendons snapping to know I don't want it to happen to me!

As others have said, getting proper qualified help/advice is really important and running before then you could do more harm than good and mean that recovery takes even longer.

I sympathise though, I know only too well how it feels!

[PeterBrash]

I’m lucky to have cruise control on my car so on longer distances I’m driving using my thumb! Getting around or out of town is where the damage gets done.

I did spend 9 months last year with sports physio. Definite improvement as I was limping when I started. Once the exercise/stretch regime got to the point of being 45 minutes twice per day it became untenable.

I’m now in the position of having to wait until February or March to be seen by a specialist. Was referred in October with yesterday as the initial end target.

I might still try a gentle return via c25k and see if it does any good. If anything worsens I’ll stop and wait for the appointment to finally arrive.

Thanks for everybody taking the time to reply.

[Hidden]

Hi Peter, sorry no I can't give you much advice. I can relate to the frustration tho, as my past was to have custom orthotics made. These were for my work boots not running shoes .

After 8-9 years on I tried running again. After W5 my feet could not tolerate the pounding, I bought other orthotics , all seemed well but after graduation, a no no.

I phoned up the running shop, and they gave me a name of a specialist who is also a runner so maybe try your local running shop and hopefully they can point you to the correct venue as many athletes of all strengths come through their doors.

So I am at the run walk and rest stage and may not get more than that, until I see this specialist. I've been holding out as it is a fairly long way to travel and not sure of the cost, so maybe this contact will get me to make a phone call. Any how may you get back on the road soon.

[nowster Graduate]

Is there by any chance that there's anything that's rubbing against the back of your ankle? The back of a shoe or a thick sock?

This time last year I started to develop a lump on my right Achilles and I traced it back to the combination of longer socks and running leggings! It totally disappeared when I switched to ankle length socks.

[PeterBrash in reply to nowster]

I wish it was something that simple.

This is tied in to a weakness in the whole lower part of the leg. So pretty much every day there’s stiffness in the calf, pain in lots of places. Doesn’t matter what shoes or socks I wear.

[CocoChannel]

During the first Covid lockdown, I ran 5 to 10km every day. This was way more than normal so not surprisingly I got aches and pains including Achilles tendonitis. One problem I have is a low cadence (my watch records this) of about 150 per minute whilst most people are 170+. This means my strides are too long so there’s that little bit more strain on my Achilles. Plus I’m not particularly flexible in the hamstrings anyway.

I saw a physio to make sure nothing was damaged and was advised to rest. After that I was more serious about stretching after exercise and also strength and conditioning. Provided I only run 3 to 4 times a week, I’ve had no problems in two years.

I’m actually a triathlete, albeit a slow one, and I really have to emphasise the importance of strength and conditioning. Has anyone such a running shop been able to analyse your running form? I also found out I had flat feet 🤣 which caused no end of pain in my calves and shins but was put right by fitted ortho soles. A few things to try. Hope it works out. We are designed to run reasonably far without too much pain, so a little fix should do the trick.

[PeterBrash in reply to CocoChannel]

Thanks Coco,

I’ve used insoles. Sports therapist thinks my right glute is weak which causes my right leg to stray towards the centre.

My cadence is about 160, but that’s probably more to being slow than taking big strides!

Lots to think about. The conditioning is why I want to get back to running. I get into good habits when I run.

[CocoChannel in reply to PeterBrash]

most of us have weak glutes I recently did a posture assessment at a gym - no big problems except I barely have a glute to my name 🤣 so I’ve added a couple of exercises.

Strength and conditioning is a bit of a new buzzword(s), but my Tri club mates who do the proper stuff such as Ironman never seem to get injured. It’d be worth having a google or a YouTube search on strength and conditioning.

My only complaint about C25K that there’s not much about stretching, strength and conditioning and flexibility which would make things a lot easier