Tendonitis in the ankle

[QAGS]

Has anyone got any experience of ankle Tendonitis please? I have had this for 9 weeks now ,& despite physiotherapy It is still painful and affecting my walking. I wonder whether there is any link to R.A?

[MuppetBaby]

Do you mean Achilles tendonitis? If so I get this and currently have it bilaterally. Quite a few others seem to have it too.

[sule in reply to MuppetBaby]

I've had this and I went through physio and painkillers which changed nothing. Then Rheumatologist told me to have a review of my orthotics (I have 'prescribed' insoles in my shoes). This was a game changer! Pain went and I could walk! He also advised me not to have surgery on my tendons as it would only help in the short term.

[MuppetBaby in reply to sule]

Thanks I have orthotics which were made when it first started. It was well controlled until recently as I had to come off my methotrexate. Unfortunately the Abatacept doesn’t seem to have kicked in to have helped that yet…

[Dobcross1]

It's never before ally diagnosed but yes, I have pain in the ankles (not the joint) and up the backs of both calves up to my knees. Not every day, but probably 2/3 days per week. Sorry this isn't much help - I'd say Podiatrist is the best person to see... Hope you get it sorted soon.

[Hidden]

I have had this - very painful and frustrating. All I did was to rest it as much as I could - not to put unnecessary wait on to it but at the same time don't stop using it other wise I feel you might lose the use of it. Painkillers of course! Flat shoes! Insoles/. My tendons have gradually weakened due to my RA.

[BoneyC in reply to Hidden]

I think you've hit the nail on the head! Once ankle joints seize up and movement is lost, we're not flexing our achilles tendon as much and it gets shortened, then when we want to walk, it's painful to stretch it out again. Have this on and off, need ankle replacements but I'm too young (Surgeon's opinion, not mine) at 57!

[Hidden]

Yes . Achilles and the one that runs down the side of the ankle( forget name) it’s been on going for 3 years . Had physio and I went private for orthotics ( nhs ones rubbish) it’s made a big difference to walking and less pain but I still wake every morning with pain and tightness in these ankles and if I’ve over done it or flaring this is the first place I feel it .when it’s bad I use my walking stick to give it recovery time.

[Sheila_G]

Yes. I had injections in both, by a Consultant, in the hospital. I have had injections in most of my joints several times in some cases but these were extremely painful. I was also referred for physiotherapy. Lots of different exercises to do to stretch out the achilles tendons. It was several years ago but I still have occasional problems but it isn't debilitating. The exercises certainly worked.

[Wobbies]

Yes for 20 + years. My rheumy says it is linked to RD. Physio made it worse for me, podiatrist much better.