Two weeks ago I went back to the doctor to see about my achilles. After getting the MRI, doing the calf raises and such it wasn't getting better so I needed something. My orthopedic surgeon's exact words were "Let's throw everything we have at this before we do surgery."
Well, yeah. Let's.
So, I have heel lifts in my shoes and I am rubbing a topical on my tendon 4 times a day along with no activity from the knees down, wearing this odd wrap thing and the calf raises. Two weeks in and I do notice an improvement. :) I am not going to say I am out of the woods. I am not going to say I am cured or that I am *very* optimistic. I am not. I have a glimmer of hope.
These are all good signs because I can walk the dog, walk around the office and do my daily thing without pain. That means the stress on the tendon is lessening which is what we want... we want it to heal. It has had very little opportunity - if any - to do that.
The thing I found, and find, most frustrating about this process is the lack of information. The info on the Internet just says it's an overuse injury and it needs rest... and I can see the point there. But what else? What can you do? The heel lift thing was not mentioned frequently, and I found it in one or two medical journal type publications. Someone forwarded the info on the calf raises. What else is out there I am missing? What if this doesn't work (the throwing the kitchen sink at this)? Will it work for a week or so then I'll be facing surgery anyway? How many people end up getting surgery on this? It seems like a pretty common injury - but I had a hard time finding information other than, "rest and don't do a thing till it's better."
However, when one has an overuse injury by the very nature of the type of person who injures themselves via overuse... telling them to stop whatever they are doing isn't very effective. It has been an out and out struggle to get me to no use my legs (I can give phone numbers for references).
Gaining weight, losing fitness, losing tone - all issues for someone who works on their body and works out consistently. An added issue is there is almost no way to deal with stress. My face is redder these days because my blood pressure is up - work is very stressful right now.
Until March 29th I am in a holding pattern. I worked out a schedule. The creature of habit that I am likes routine and I gravitate toward it. I made a workout schedule so I had something to get me through. Hand bike, swimming and yoga. Woo hoo (note lack of enthusiasm).
Until next time folks, I'll be working hard at doing as little as possible and trying to heal... wish me luck, ya'll.
