achilles tendonitis & riding

[caradino]

in addition to riding, i also run, and occasionally hike.

about a month ago, i went on a 25-mi backpacking trip and somewhere along the way developed achilles tendonitis in one tendon as a result. :(

i went to the podiatrist, who checked it out, said it was mild and to just take a break from running, rest it, and wait several weeks for it to heal. so i've stopped running, since my sneakers put pressure on the tendon and it hurts, (it's awful!) but am continuing to ride and walk as normally as possible.

i'm wondering how many of you all have dealt with this, and if riding, specifically stretching your heels down, delayed healing or made it worse. it seems to slowly be getting better, but some days it's worse than others.

thanks!

[Catersun]

i'm currently dealing with the same thing.... i haven't been riding, but maintaining my normal activity level otherwise isn't letting it heal.... rather frusterated with it myself. good luck.

[gladys]

Can you ride without stirrups for a while?

[medical mike]

There is an eccentric strengthening program that is essentially bullet proof for this condition.

You can probably google search it or as you are a runner, if you have access to runners world, they may have a copy.

If all else fails I have a general set of instructions at www.fitfocusedforward.com
Click the general sports link and look at the ankle pain paper.

That and a few modifications to your off horse program and no longer riding heels down should do it.

REgards,
Medical Mike
equestrian medical researcher
www.equicision.com

[SBrentnall]

I dealt with this earlier in the year.. I found dressage was fine, but jumping was out (too much weight in the heels).

My doctor had me wear orthotics with the heel slightly raised, but the thing that really helped was a course of laser therapy.

[caradino]

There is an eccentric strengthening program that is essentially bullet proof for this condition.

You can probably google search it or as you are a runner, if you have access to runners world, they may have a copy.

If all else fails I have a general set of instructions at www.fitfocusedforward.com
Click the general sports link and look at the ankle pain paper.

That and a few modifications to your off horse program and no longer riding heels down should do it.

REgards,
Medical Mike
equestrian medical researcher
www.equicision.com

thanks medical mike! i've read a lot of things that mention an eccentric program, but haven't been able to find something that lays it out as well as your sheets. i've also put myself on a joint supplement to help the repair along a bit. hopefully this works!

[medical mike]

Give the exercises several weeks to work and if you hit a plateau, bump up the resistance to say 10 percent body weight by putting weights in back pack.

Best of Luck,
Medical Mike
equestrian medical researcher
www.equicision.com

[caradino]

Give the exercises several weeks to work and if you hit a plateau, bump up the resistance to say 10 percent body weight by putting weights in back pack.

Best of Luck,
Medical Mike
equestrian medical researcher
www.equicision.com

awesome. i don't know if the exercises or the joint supplement or both, but i've been doing them faithfully for not even a week now and i'm already feeling some improvement. medical mike you saved the day!