anyone had an achilles tendon operation?

[berg]

been getting pain for a good few years now and physio, acupuncture and steroid injection never really done the job.

the orthopaedic surgeon seems to say the prospects of success are only about 50/50 as cutting into the tendon could weaken it and mor elikely to have a rupture 

bugger really, as dont want to give up 5 a side but am 34 now and cant see me playing much past 40 at this rate 

[andrewparker]

Nope, but I've been suffering from an Achilles injury for over a year now. Can't run without it flaring up and wake most mornings in a fair bit of pain. I've never investigated surgery but I'm disappointed to hear its not a fail-safe solution.

[berg]

Nope, but I've been suffering from an Achilles injury for over a year now. Can't run without it flaring up and wake most mornings in a fair bit of pain. I've never investigated surgery but I'm disappointed to hear its not a fail-safe solution.

no its not a good op apparently mate.

they cut you open and scrape out any scar tissue/other sh*te they can see, stitch you back up and then see what happens. you run the risk of infection and/or nerve damage. it is different if you actually have a rupture as they have to operate to fuse it back together but if you have no rupture and just achilles tendinopathy like me it seems a massive risk as you may be no better or even worse!

i should do stretches every day need to get in the habit..

[chopper]

have you tried shock wave therapy?
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CHUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fguidance.nice.org.uk%2FIPG312&ei=16K6T4nmD9Oa0QXP46z4Bw&usg=AFQjCNF8-y7QJ00Uw99QhHkIcydku61UiA&sig2=sNQydGGY_nWNORu6aoCbog

its your best bet to avoid surgery.

[andrewparker]

have you tried shock wave therapy?
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CHUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fguidance.nice.org.uk%2FIPG312&ei=16K6T4nmD9Oa0QXP46z4Bw&usg=AFQjCNF8-y7QJ00Uw99QhHkIcydku61UiA&sig2=sNQydGGY_nWNORu6aoCbog

its your best bet to avoid surgery.

I've tried the ultrasonic therapy but it seemed to offer only temporary relief.

[JoeDarKa]

Have you seen a podiatrist or anything to look at your feet? Ultrasound, anti-inflammatories, stretches, eccentric loading and then strengthening is your best bet!

[berg]

interesting, no not heard of that, will ask physio when i go for a new course ortho has recommended today. also need to see podiatry department for insoles

[JoeDarKa]

If you have had it for a couple of years, something underlying must be irritating it with flare ups as it never has settled

[Trekmeister]

Do you get any relief, For instance if you gave up 5 a side for a couple of months would you feel any let up?

[andrewparker]

It's such a sh*tty injury. The way most physiotherapists talk about it there is little hope, and that the only way to alleviate it is to rest it. My fitness has really suffered as a result of it, and there's further knock effects from that.

[berg]

i have had it for 6 or 7 years.

last year i missed football for 3 weeks as got married. i hoped the rest would do it good.

whilst on honeymoon it went worse 

but was not sure whether this was because i was actually doing more exercise than usual on a day to day basis as was walking round boston and new york for miles or whether it did'nt like the not being used or 8 hr flight.

it even hurt when i tried cycling cause when you had to touch down with your toe when you stopped at a junction it really hurt. dont really like swimming 

[JoeDarKa]

Tendon problems can last for ages unfortunately, as you already know  You should be wearing good supportive shoes too 

[Jussa]

Definitely see a podiatrist.  They may be able to prescribe u special inner soles.  I suffered Achilles tendinitis when I was younger and had inner soles made up for me.  Touch wood I don't suffer anymore!!

[berg]

it is such a pain as it holds you back psychologically cause you think "best not push on any harder, best not sprint for that ball" as you worry about rupture or just not being able to walk down the stairs the day after.

if the medical people said "dont do anything apart from swimming for a year" i would but they dont, they just dont seem to be able to say that stopping impact sports will actually cure it over time..

[JoeDarKa]

Do an exercise that doesnt aggrevate it as it sounds like you like to keep fit. Swimming, cycling (but avoid touching your toes down on that side)

Do you do any exercises for it at the moment?