Chronic tendinopathy - anyone else experiencing this? Any suggestions as to how to fix?

[MiniMum97]

About 5 years ago, about a year or so into my thyroid disease journey, I developed swelling in both ankles (plus top of feet and half way up one calf) at about the same time. I was subsequently diagnosed with achilles tendinopathy. I also developed plantar fasciitis around the same time. I don't really get much pain - some discomfort sometimes and the achilles and tendons in the top of my foot often feel very stiff. There was no injury that led to this.

Anyhow, the exercises they tell you to do have not worked - they make my PF flare up which I normally have completely under control with the use of arch supports and never going bare foot. I've also struggled to engage with physio as my health has been so up and down, with a lot of fatigue, as I am sure you can all understand!!

I was hoping that when I got my thyroid under control that it might help my body heal my ankles; however, I have recently started a T3/T4 combo and am feeling the best I have felt in a very long time - I am able to do lots of exercise for example and no post-exercise slump! Lots of other symptoms have drastically improved! All very exciting. But no improvement in my ankles at all. I am thinking of trying the exercises again but am nervous of another PF flare up, so just wondered if anyone else has experienced chronic tendinopathy with thyroid disease, and what they did to fix it!

[Hypopotamus]

I have it too, worse in my right leg which may be due to that ankle/foot being badly damaged in a road accident about 11 years ago. I hadn't considered it part of the thyroid issue. I also have the PF and issues with the metatarsals etc.

[cbraffe in reply to Hypopotamus]

I have it too and recently started experiencing burning under the heels .with the swollen ankles my GP who does not know anything about thyroid put it down to medication. The brand was changed and two years later there is no change. I find walking helps, I was for 10km 4 times weekly. It has also enabled me to shed excess weight. I am almost back to my normal weight. When my thyroid was removed I went from size 14 to 20., I am now size 16 for the 1st time in 6 yrs. Good luck

[lisabax]

I found that when my thyroid was being adequately medicated the PF was much better.

[mistydog in reply to lisabax]

Same.

[Josephineinamachine]

Hi I found my PF went with T3 gradually. Yoga/daily stretching for all tendons and muscles in legs helped me. They’re all connected right up to the glutes. Off T3 now and PF hasn’t returned. Still stretching! 😊

[bellk]

At last, someone else with ankle problems related to under active thyroid. Mine used to be puffy, painful and lock. I could sometimes free them up by rotating or if they really would not unlock, used an infra red lamp. The only diagnosis I was given, aged 21, was that my Achilles tendon was too short and I was sent for physiotherapy. Over the years I found the best way was never wear flat shoes, keep ankles warm, socks in bed, loosen up ankles before weightbearing and wear boots if it was a chilly , damp day in summer. I had had symptoms of an underactive thyroid since my early teens. Diagnosed around 40, initial low dose of thyroxine made me feel much more tired etc and, ankles were locking once more. Increased dose and ankles were better. After a month I had adjusted to that dose and the ankles were bad again. Pattern repeated as they increased my dose. I have been stable on Liothyronine for years now, ankles fine, no puffiness. Have the long standing problem of shortened calf muscles which have made this year's damage to top of hamstring muscles much more of a problem. Have to keep up the stretching exercises to reduce the strain on my kneecaps. So from the viewpoint of 67, get on your best dose of thyroid meds and do calf stretching muscles and ankle rotating exercises for the rest of your life.

[5219]

I feel your pain. Have suffered with swollen feet and Pf too. I to am now on T3/T4 combo and feeling better than I ever have. Have been to countless Dr/ physiotherapy appointments to no avail. Was sent to podiatrist and have had shoe inserts put in shoes which help to a degree. Do stretching exercises too but nothing seems to relieve it completely. I am on a waiting list for ultrasound shock therapy. This is supposed to heal the damage of P F so I’m hopeful that it will work. I will report if this works when I have it done. Hopefully it will help other people if they can get it done at their podiatrist clinic. Hope this helps you.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Have you had dose increase in levothyroxine or T3 since your last post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

This shows you were under medicated

[MiniMum97 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I went up to 75mcg on T4 and 10mcg T3. Feeling better generally than I have in years on this dose/combo. Just about to retest bloods in a couple of weeks.

[Raucous]

It is really interesting this because I was a professional ballet dancer and had Achilles’ tendon problems that there seemed no apparent reason for, I ended up having an operation - a fasciotomy in the calf (which didn’t really work). It was later after having a baby that I was diagnosed hypothyroid but with all the research I have now done I believe I had various symptoms of hypothyroidism then and that my tendon problem may have be down to that.My advice is to ice it - it is not nice but if you can dunk your ankle in a bucket of ice that is best, otherwise use an ice cube and rub it round the Achilles or an ice pack. Also roll your foot on a ball - a rubber ball or softer, smaller than a tennis ball if possible (look up meltmthod.com on YouTube) and massage the front of the instep and shin as well, these should all help with the Achilles and PF.

[dtate2016]

I have had it a couple of times. It might be connected to thyroid, but it may also be connected to certain antibiotic use. Here in the US we are advised (with pharmaceutical information inserts) that Cipro (and other very powerful antibiotics in that class) can cause PL / ankle tendon problems, even up to 18 months later. (Purported to be a very rare side effect) Like you, I did the shoe supports and the exercises. And the longer you can stay off the foot while it’s healing the better. I rarely could, and it took more than a year to heal once. Much research revealed that surgery really was not the answer (in my opinion). No, but really cushioned shoes and trying to take it easy was. It was not long after these bouts with PL, that I also developed a bunion, which I am now trying to correct - and may or may not be related (some say they are caused by poor foot alignment / walking incorrectly). I had never given it a thought that it may be thyroid related.Hang in there! It does finally heal!

[blondpalomino]

Hi, I have had a problem with one ankle for over three years. I didn't think about it being connected to my thyroid problem! I just thought I must have turned my ankle over at some point, but don't remember doing anything. I have been to the Doctor and physio, have been and still doing exercises, but not really helping. Most of the time I wear an elastic bandage on it (tubigrip) which helps to support it. Last summer I managed to wear sandals a few times, not with the bandage (not a good look!) and hoping that this summer I can as well. Sadly my lovely heels are consigned to the back of the wardrobe, I can't bring myself to get rid of them, in the hope that some day I will be able to wear them again, but it's flats from now on.

[Goatcheesesalad]

Hi Three years ago, i injured both my achilles’ tendons whilst doing too much swimming. I experienced excruciating pain with every step i walked for 2 and half years. i routinely did stretches recommended by physio and even had shock wave therapy which was not pleasant. Alas the pain was always there and would also wake me up in the night with sharp stabbing pains.

Last October i was having investigations for another issue and full bloods were taken at the hospital where they diagnosed hyperthyroid/ Graves’ disease. I was put on Carbimazole 20mg. Fast forward to March this year and suddenly i became aware that I had no pain in my achilles and felt well in general. Now just need a miracle to lose this 2 stone i have put on.

[EebieJeebies]

Just before diagnosis, I couldn’t put my heels to the floor when getting out of bed, as though something up the back of my Achilles/calf had shortened overnight. Antibodies were almost into 4 digits. It improved with Levo but remains stiff, particularly mornings. Your description of stiffness across top of feet etc sounds familiar. Each ankle is swollen between Achilles and ankle bone. Generally tendons and soft tissue give me trouble, shoulders etc, regular massages help and masseuse has mentioned my tendons etc are sticky and gritty whatever that means 😳