inflamed Achilles tendons

[MadisonCounty]

Hi I was diagnosed with RA a year ago. Luckily it seems to be fairly mild and I only take hydroxychloroquine. Recently my Achilles tendons have been very sore and inflamed.Does anyone know the best way to deal with this please?

[J1707-]

I suffered for years with this and dismissed by everyone. MRI showed nothing. I preserved and eventually found a marvellous physio who did his own scans . The result was long term damage with several tears in my Achilles. I had a steroid injection which really has helped. My advice would be to see you rheumatologist as your medication isn’t quite doing its job and you may need physio. I also had orthotics made again a success. Don’t leave it . I know how painful and restrictive this is. Good luck

[MadisonCounty in reply to J1707-]

Thank you for your advice, I'm glad you have found relief. I will make sure to mention it to my rheumatologist.

[MuppetBaby in reply to J1707-]

Similar story, except no MRI. I was constantly dismissed by rheumatologist as whenever I mentioned it she would reply “well you can bend your foot!”. Ultrasound last year showed irreparable damage, now very thickened and scarred 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Hidden]

Hi problems here with achilles and wrist tendons..(PsA) I recently went to physio and was given heel raise excuses but it is quite sore so will see how it goes..I had a steroid injection (all over one, depamedrone) and it has helped dull the pain down. Sorry don't know best advice...think you'll need to contact your clinic again. Nothing showed up on the scan for me but pain is pain! Good luck xx

[rmros]

You need a physio who really specialises in this. And preferably a podiatrist/biomechanics specialist who can offer targeted treatments. It's a long road to recovery and you'll need to keep up the exercises to prevent relapse. It's painful and horrible and I sympathise, but there is good treatment if you find someone who knows what they're doing. If you're like me, painkillers and your normal medication probably won't do much.

[MadisonCounty in reply to rmros]

Only having had RA for a little over a year I'm still finding out the many painful things it causes. It seems that I really need to try getting treatment for my Achilles. Many thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply to my post.

[barbieg]

I am housebound still with Achilles Tendinitis so I will tell you what treatment I’m having. I have emergency care Physiotherapist coming to see me every week, I’m told until my Achilles Tendon has settled down. No treatment until then. I have been told to be off my feet as much as possible. Initially I was worried I wasn’t getting any treatment but I’m fully in agreement now as my Achilles is calming down to the point the pain is bearable. Once it’s calmed down I will start treatment mainly I’m told to strengthen the muscles around the tendon. I’ve been given a perching stool and two walking frames for downstairs and upstairs. I am allowed to do the heel and toes raise but only when I’m sitting down. I’ve also been referred to an Orthotics specialist for insoles and MSK (Muscularskeleton) I’m not sure what they will do.

I’m not sure if you are in the UK so treatment could be very different for you but definitely rest it as much as you can. That would be my advice and possibly buy some insoles to tide you over. I already had some as I have dropped arches and am flat footed and with the Physiotherapists approval wear them. It made such a difference and will help until I get the correct insoles. Good luck , I sympathise so much with you.

[MadisonCounty in reply to barbieg]

Hi barbieg, thank you for the advice. It sounds as though you have had a really bad time. I hope things improve for you soon. I was just hoping it would go away by itself, but I can see that I need to try getting proper treatment. It's all a bit new for me but I'm learning slowly just how many things can be affected by RA.

[barbieg in reply to MadisonCounty]

I’ll be honest, no one has told me it was connected to my RA but I did wonder because I couldn’t see how else I had the Achilles Tendinitis. At 79 yrs old I’m hardly athletic! They also thought I had a heel stress fracture, fortunately the X-rays ruled that out. I think I’ve been lucky with the treatment I’ve received. Maybe it’s because I also have Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia and Osteoporosis, even so I’m very grateful. I have definitely found resting it makes an enormous difference. I really hope you get some help soon. It’s so painful . Best wishes to you.

[VeronicaF]

Hi Madison, I take hydroxychloroquine. And been on it for some years now but havent any issues with inflamed Achilles tendons, so sorry I can't help you , hope it gets sorted out very soon

[MadisonCounty in reply to VeronicaF]

Thank you Veronica, I will keep my fingers crossed!

[Lighthousekeeper]

I have had a very similar experience having tendinitis and bursitis in my left foot. Very painful. I have had lots of treatments. Ultrasound, acupuncture, physio. I have orthotic insoles, a night splint and have worn a moon boot to immobalise completely. I have worked through lots of medication and now take Abatacept it’s early days I hope it makes a difference. It still causes lots of pain and would love to find something to give me relief.

[MadisonCounty in reply to Lighthousekeeper]

Goodness, it sounds as though you have really suffered. It is painful and regular painkillers don't seem to help much. I hope you find something that works soon.

[Lighthousekeeper in reply to MadisonCounty]

I have to say that I am consoled to see others on here have had similar experiences. I was made to feel I was the only person to have this. Lots of comments like “that’s weird” or “I’ve never seen anything like that before. “ l still have a large painful lump and can be walking and get a pain as if I have been stabbed!

[wakeham]

Hi Madison , so sorry that you have all that pain, I also suffered the same a year ago! The only advice that I can give you is plenty of massage, and stretching the back of your leg . And of course rest it helps. Best of luck and Happy Christmas.

Regards wakeham

[MadisonCounty in reply to wakeham]

Thank you wakeham, I will make sure to stretch and massage . I have tried resting for a couple of days but I have work tomorrow so hopefully it won't be too bad. Happy Christmas to you too.