[*Beth*]

Last summer I wore flat sandals almost every day (no support). I ended up with a miserably painful achilles tendonitis. For awhile, it stopped (I was wearing sandals with the heels higher than the toes). But the tendonitis has returned with a vengeance.

I have an appointment to get it checked out on Friday, but don't know what to expect. Has anyone here had this type of tendonitis and, if so, how did you treat it?

I don't know much about tendonitis, but foot problems are a total bummer. I am sorry you are in pain. Have you tried a different size or a more comfortable and supportive shoe or shoe insert? Shoe inserts can also be painful if the incorrect size and support level is used. Can you stand to make it until your dr appt?

[*Beth*]

Thank you for your reply, AB2371, I sure appreciate the support (no pun intended).

The achilles tendon was in such bad pain, when in March, just by chance, I bought Skechers sandals and they happened to have great support. Miracle! The tendonitis subsided. I seriously wore those sandals only, except an occasional day in which I'd wear a good pair of Adidas.

The tendonitis seemed gone. So I started going barefoot in the house and wearing other shoes besides the supportive sandals.

And...the achilles pain returned, even worse than it had been before. Got a referral (hate that - why do we need a referral that just takes extra time?) & will see podiatrist on Friday.

x fingers and toes crossed x

[unaluna]

Oh yeah, it takes YEARS for feet fascia to heal, not months. Then still its like its always hovering in the background.

[*Beth*]

Thank you, unaluna. Yeah, I'm about crawling the walls this evening. Wore boots today and The pain is up the back of my right calf...I'm ready to plead for surgery buuut...I don't think the MD will consent to that before I try physical therapy .

[~Christina]

My option at this time is steroid injections into the tendons ! Oh yeah I know OUCH!

I’ve just put that out of my mind.

Going barefoot is seriously only going to keep it aggravated. Shoes with great support is needed . It drives me nuts but I have a pair of shoes that I wear just around my house.

I also have psoriatic arthritis bad in my feet and ankles. So more pain.

I’m just glad they finally make great ortho support shoes that are attractive now lol

I literally feel your pain.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

My option at this time is steroid injections into the tendons ! Oh yeah I know OUCH!

I’ve just put that out of my mind.

Going barefoot is seriously only going to keep it aggravated. Shoes with great support is needed . It drives me nuts but I have a pair of shoes that I wear just around my house.

I also have psoriatic arthritis bad in my feet and ankles. So more pain.

I’m just glad they finally make great ortho support shoes that are attractive now lol

I literally feel your pain.

Thanks so much, Christina.

My GP said there's "no injection that will help." Well, I know that's BS. I'm hoping I get a worthwhile podiatrist. Actually, some years ago I had a torn rotator cuff (shoulder) and had a steroid injection. The needle was...uh...long. Honestly, though, it didn't hurt. I felt some pressure and that was all.

You are absolutely correct about going barefoot. I admit that I've been ridiculously stubborn about it. I love having bare feet, but the pain is so intense that I'm accepting that I need to wear house shoes. Sucks.

I have suddenly, within a month, developed arthritis in my knees and finger. Again, my GP blew me off. All she focuses on is "psych meds causing weight gain." Okay, I get that - but I think I deserve a better answer and a treatment plan.

[~Christina]

Have you tried ibuprofen for the pain? If you’ve given it a good try and your still having pain then I’d push to get it addressed further.

I have PsA arthritis and I take a biologic injection bi weekly for it.

There is blood work ( sed rate ) that can be done to Check the over all imflamation levels in your body which could find you might have RA or other arthritis that there are medications to help treat and stop further joint damage.

Sure extra weight can cause joint pain , but it’s not always the only cause.

[*Beth*]

Thank you so much, Christina. I do use ibuprofen but it doesn't help (I keep thinking it might).

I like your suggestion about RA because I am concerned that I have it. I have so many pain points it's weird.

Well, podiatrist in 2 days... fingers crossed xxx...

[*Beth*]

So just to follow up...

I saw an excellent sports med MD, really friendly man. He is sending me for 12 weeks of physical therapy (once per week). Long haul, hope it works. I'm looking forward to it.

If the PT doesn't relieve the pain I'll get a cortisone shot. The idea, he said, is to avoid tearing the tendon.

The achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the boy, but is quite fragile.

Doctor prescribed a strong ibuprofen and it does help quite a bit. Whew!

[*Beth*]

Follow up...

I am finally hooked up with a physical therapist and begin treatment today. Apparently I have adhesions (which I think means scar tissue) on my achilles tendon. PT said he will have to manually separate the adhesions from the tendon, which hurts like hell, he said. From what I've read online the procedure is, indeed, very painful. I'm pretty darn hardy when it comes to pain, but I have to say that I am a bit anxious about the treatment today.

We shall see!

[*Beth*]

So far, so good! I'm working with a woman pt. She did a massage and an electric something that felt like little fizzy Alka-Seltzers on my ankle, with warmth. The massage was painful, but not overwhelming.


Next week - the pool!

[*Beth*]

Okay, the salt water pool was paradise. Being in the warm water felt amazing and moving without much pain was incredible! I walked around the perimeter of the pool several times. Walking without pain was a breeze!


Afterwards the achilles pain was pretty bad, but at least my brain now remembers what it feels like to walk without pain. I believe that a couple of more pool sessions will help me immensely.

[*Beth*]

I was really sore all over yesterday. It was probably from using so many muscles in the pool that I have not used in a long time. I did, however, manage to do some yoga stretches and use my grips for wrist and forearm toning. I feel much less sore today and am looking forward to pool exercise next week!

[ArtleyWilkins]

Glad to hear you are getting PT. I suffered a triple sprain in my left ankle almost a year and a half ago that still causes me some pain. One thing I've had to do is go to orthopedic inserts for my shoes and only wear shoes that have firm arch support. If I wear flat sandals, I pay for it. Just wearing supportive shoes has reduced a great deal of my pain and swelling issues. I've given up on the idea that my ankle will ever quite be the same, but it's to a place that I can deal with it now at least.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by ArtleyWilkins

Glad to hear you are getting PT. I suffered a triple sprain in my left ankle almost a year and a half ago that still causes me some pain. One thing I've had to do is go to orthopedic inserts for my shoes and only wear shoes that have firm arch support. If I wear flat sandals, I pay for it. Just wearing supportive shoes has reduced a great deal of my pain and swelling issues. I've given up on the idea that my ankle will ever quite be the same, but it's to a place that I can deal with it now at least.

Thank you so much for your kindness. I'm with you on this...I don't think the injury I have will ever be completely okay, either. I'm also in that place of at least if I can deal with it.

I wore shoes like Converse, sandals, flip-flops...no support in them. Orthopedic inserts are an excellent idea. Thanks for reminding me, because I need to check into that.

[unaluna]

enna jettick shoes - Google Search

Enna Jettick = energetic

I thought i would be wearing these in my dotage, but they dont make them anymore!

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by unaluna

enna jettick shoes - Google Search

Enna Jettick = energetic

I thought i would be wearing these in my dotage, but they dont make them anymore!

Aren't they fabulous?!

[unaluna]

Omg, the curved stacked wood heel on some of them is just gorgeous. That was a quality shoe. They STILL look in good shape. Too small for my feet, unfortunately.

[*Beth*]

Yes, the heel...I absolutely love that shape. Sadly, they'd fit 2/3's of my size 10 feet.

[*Beth*]

3rd PT today. It was really good. Today was the 20 minute electrodes/heat wrap, massage, then I rode a cool stationary bike that exercises both arms and legs. After that, the salt pool. I had planned to spend 20 mins in the pool, but a man came in and I got self-conscious. I wear bathing suit bottoms and a t-shirt. Even though he was an old guy and looked very sweet, I got out early.

I found out I can go to PT twice a week if I want to, but I'm not quite ready for that (even though I'd like to, in theory). This time of year is so touch-and-go for me...have to be really cautious about where I go, how often, and all of that. Any place that is unfamiliar an easily feel frightening, intimidating, and set off depression.

Oh- and walking is slightly less painful. Such a relief!

[*Beth*]

The pain is more than I can stand at this point. I've called my podiatrist's office, practically begging for an immediate appointment. It seems that either there's increased injury or that PT is actually causing more pain. Waiting for someone to call me. No - actually I'm currently on wait to ask again for an appointment today.

[~Christina]

Were you able to get an appt ?

[*Beth*]

Thank you so much for asking, Christina. No, I wasn't. The receptionist told me that my podiatrist was out of the office , then doing surgeries today and tomorrow. And I'm climbing the walls with the pain - plus the damned this-time-of-year depression is trying to pull me down. I've been using a SAD light and pdoc raised my AD dose. Pfffft. At least I'll see her tomorrow.

[*Beth*]

I'm using this thread to keep a record of my pain levels and treatments.

Podiatrist tomorrow. Lucky thing, because I'm ready to go to the ER otherwise. Saw my therapist and pdoc today, had a tough time walking down the halls. Then I felt really embarrassed. (I always feel embarrassed when I'm in pain...*note to self...why?)