I have been dealing with Plantar fasciitis on and off for years. I am beginning to wonder about a partial tear of my Achilles. I injured it a few decades ago jumping out of a pickup. But was fine after it. But years of wear and tear. How hard is it to diagnosis a partial tear?

Go see an orthopedic surgeon for sports injuries.

The orthopedist will order an MRI which can detect soft tissue damage. An X-ray cannot.

That sounds like solid advice. Thanks Biker dude.

I did a partial tear of mine years ago. It took a year and casting twice to heal. I’d see a physiatrist. They can always send you to a surgeon if needed after and if non surgical treatments fail.

quote:

Originally posted by Biker_dude:
Go see an orthopedic surgeon for sports injuries.

I'm dealing with Achilles tendon issue right now. I called my orthopedic surgeon at the local sports med practice who I've used for years for my knees and shoulder, but was informed he doesn't go any lower on body than the knee. I was referred to a podiatrist.

Diagnosed with Achilles tendinitis. I'm 3.5 weeks into wearing a walking boot and taking NSAIDs. Made a lot of progress the first week and incremental progress since.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
I did a partial tear of mine years ago. It took a year and casting twice to heal. I’d see a physiatrist. They can always send you to a surgeon if needed after and if non surgical treatments fail.

Thanks, what where you symptoms of the partial tear BB61?

A few weeks ago, I had a plantar fasciitis injury while playing tennis. My podiatry was great and helped put me on the path to recovery using various techniques.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by Biker_dude:
Go see an orthopedic surgeon for sports injuries.

I'm dealing with Achilles tendon issue right now. I called my orthopedic surgeon at the local sports med practice who I've used for years for my knees and shoulder, but was informed he doesn't go any lower on body than the knee. I was referred to a podiatrist.

Diagnosed with Achilles tendinitis. I'm 3.5 weeks into wearing a walking boot and taking NSAIDs. Made a lot of progress the first week and incremental progress since.

Tatertodd, same question. What were your symptoms? Thanks.

^^^^
It was swollen like a little ball where the tear was. It hurt quite a bit but I continued working for a week before I gave in because of the pain and saw a doctor. He told me I was lucky because when they tear, that area becomes soft and can easily rupture. It hurt to walk and bend my foot. I wouldn’t delay seeing a doctor.

Mine is more heel pain. With some foot pain.
The old feels like driving a stake in it. Ouch.

Following
I've got intermittent soreness that I think is Achilles area, but no palpable symptoms.
Can run, cycle, walk & all good, then will get a random day where it's sore with no common 'day before' relation.

Used to get random arch pain, but found it was worn out insoles in my boots.

Podiatrists are the experts here.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Tatertodd, same question. What were your symptoms? Thanks.

Tendonitis is a repetitive stress disorder so here is the source of the stress. I had a medication causing nauseau and vomiting so my activity level decreased. Once I got it out of my system, I felt great so I increased my activity level more than it was prior to the medication problems. Then, it was time to start my spring lawn and garden activities. Ultimately, in a 2 week period I quadrupled my activity level and one afternoon included moving a yard of gravel in a wheelbarrel as well as 1.5 yards of mulch.

As far as symptoms:

Overall, they were progressive

At first, it was stiffness in the Achilles tendon which went away with activity but came back quickly (e.g. sitting in a conference room for an hour)

Then, a dull ache came with the stiffness

Then, at the end of the day pain for an hour or two was added to the stiffness and dull ache

Then, I'd have pain immediately after an activity

Then, I began to have visible swelling along the achilles tendon

I tried to remedy it home.

About 5 or 6 years ago, had a bout of plantar fascitis and the most effective thing was a rigid non-walking boot at about a 70 degree angle that stretched the achilles tendon. For this issue, the rigid non-walking boot provided only temporary relief from stiffness and did nothing for ache, pain, or swelling.

I'd do 3 days of NSAID then quit. I'm a migraine sufferer so I never willingly take a NSAID for longer then 3 days in fear of rebound headaches.

Ice didn't do anything

A friend recommended a podiatrist and 3 days later was seeing him. They took x-rays and did an exam, but no MRI. It's repetitive stress so they took away the stress of extending and contracting by putting me in a walking boot. Additionally, he prescribed 30-days of 2x daily NSAID. I just did my second follow-up today and no longer have to wear the walking booth. I'll continue the 2x daily NSAID until the 30-days are up.

I'm grateful for the healing the walking boot provided, but I hated the inconvenience and the back pain it caused.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

My wife had a partial tear and a bone spur . The Ortho Dr. that diagnosed it said he would not operate because the surgery would be " too debilitating " or something like that . She went to a different Dr. for another opinion . A young lady that wasn't intimidated and said " I can fix that ." And she did .
The healing process was no joke . She was in a cast and wheelchair bound for weeks with NO pressure allowed on that foot . Every couple of weeks they would change the angle of the foot and recast . When it was all over she was good as new but it was a long journey . She had no choice though . Something had to be done .

Partial is worse than a full tear. I had a full tear though it fortunately didn't window shade up into my calf. Had it surgically repaired because I wanted to ski again with less risk of re-injury. 6 weeks in a cast and then PT and religiously following rehab. I've been skiing every season (6) since and was 64 at the time I did it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blackmore,

I am just getting over an Achilles injury that has been bothering me for the last year. I am a frequent runner and also have bone spurs and plantar fasciitis. Last summer my left Achilles started hurting. I went to an ortho, and he referred me to PT. I did PT, but honestly it wasnt a big help. It did help somewhat but instead of hurting every day it just hurt maybe 3-4 days per week.

Finally about 3 weeks ago someone recommended I go to a podiatrist. He checked me out and gave me some orthotics, and also recommended I do a lot more lower body stretching. Almost an instant cure for me. Within a week the pain has gone away almost entirely.

In short: see a podiatrist.