Page 3 - Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position?

13-03.-2006, 08:06 AM

#31

kaian

Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2004

Location: Michigan

Posts: 136

Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportfactory

It could be how you are fitted on the bike or how you are pedaling the bike, both, or unrelated (sorry that is a big spread). Note that stretching may make it worse. Do not stretch it until it has had a chance to heal properly. Basically what you are doing is reinjuring it. I have dealt with athletes that have had to be "booted" in order to allow a AT injury to heal because they would not give it the rest it needed. The AT has a poor blood supply and is slow to heal. As it is mending the stretching you are doing may be reinjuring it lengthening your healing time. It is going to take time and patience. The injury was not caused by any weakness in your calves, you can injure the AT doing almost anything. Usually it starts with a small level I strain that is made worse by training stress compiled on it. This is the case for a lot of injuries. If you are in the Atlanta area I would be happy to look at your bike fit and video your form. Please visit www.thesportfactory.com for details.

Thanks for the advice. I am in Michigan. Know anyone in MI? I got fitted professionally when I bought my bike, but since then have changed saddles and shoes. Some things could've gotten moved around in a bad way. I am thinking of going back to the shop and having the fitter take a look at me - including my pedal stroke. I wouldn't be shocked if my stroke is off. I used to pedal toes down and I had no problems then, but I thought that was incorrect, so I focused on changing that and I have, so I wonder if that contributed. So...how long should I rest and does that include not getting on the bike at all? Thanks again!

__________________
"Hellllooooooo nurse!!!!!"

2005 Kona Cinder Cone
2005 Trek 1500

13-03.-2006, 11:30 PM

#32

noonievut

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 303

Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaian

I used to pedal toes down and I had no problems then, but I thought that was incorrect, so I focused on changing that and I have, so I wonder if that contributed. So...how long should I rest and does that include not getting on the bike at all? Thanks again!

This is where I believe my AT began. I pedalled hard one day trying a 'toes up' stroke and noticed the pain afterwards. You should be able to pedal this way without problems, unless there is something else wrong and this happens.

On Saturday I got outside on my road bike for the 1st time in months and I noticed that right away I needed to lower my seat a bit to be able to pedal toes down easily. I have to for now until the AT is better, but it makes me concerned about fit because I've now messed with it and I hope other things don't go wrong.

Good luck.

14-03.-2006, 02:46 AM

#33

sportfactory

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2005

Posts: 4

Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaian

Although I coach an athlete in Michigan I don't have a referal source, sorry. The change in pedal stroke could definately be a factor, especially if you are "ankling" more. This is going to put more stress on the achilles and involve more ankle movement. I would give it a week then ease back in with some recovery level riding and see how it reacts. Good luck!

14-03.-2006, 06:30 AM	#34
kaian Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 136	Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position? Thanks! Right now the pain is the worst it has been the whole time, so something is definitely wrong. I'm thinking PT again. My insurance should cover it. Maybe I need some ultrasound to get it calmed down. I don't think my seat is too high - it feels fine. Good luck to you too Noonievut! __________________ "Hellllooooooo nurse!!!!!" 2005 Kona Cinder Cone 2005 Trek 1500

14-03.-2006, 06:55 AM

#35

noonievut

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 303

Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaian

Thanks! Right now the pain is the worst it has been the whole time, so something is definitely wrong. I'm thinking PT again. My insurance should cover it. Maybe I need some ultrasound to get it calmed down. I don't think my seat is too high - it feels fine. Good luck to you too Noonievut!

I haven't read all of your posts in detail, so I apologize if you've covered this, but my PT first looked at the potential cause of my AT, based on the fact I mentioned the left side always feels weaker, and she found that my SI1 was off (I don't know the technical jargon). She fixed this and has me doing exercises to strengthen the 'big muscles', to try and prevent this in the future.

Maybe you have another physical issue which is impacting your AT? May not be bike related...

21-03.-2006, 12:13 AM	#36
kaian Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 136	Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position? Actually, I've come to the realization (along with my sports med doc) that I have hypermobile joints - especially in my ankles! I don't know if anyone knows about hypermobility, but basically I have loose joints in certain areas of my body. Because they aren't as stable, exercise puts more strain on my muscles and makes me more likely to suffer from overuse injuries. I think running is what initially aggravated my achilles and the cycling just kind of fed into it. My feet, for instance, can be moved forward and back (while my leg is being held stationary) and can almost be bent upwards almost completely sideways. So...once the inflammation goes down, I'll be focusing on stabilizing/balance exercises and also going slow with the cycling at first. I also plan on wearing some elastic ankle supports to help my ankles from flopping around so much while pedaling. __________________ "Hellllooooooo nurse!!!!!" 2005 Kona Cinder Cone 2005 Trek 1500

31-03.-2006, 04:00 AM	#37
noonievut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 303	Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position? Well it's been over a month since I've had achilles tendonotis and I've had about 5 appointments with the physiotherapist and have been doing stretches and exercises 3 times a day. I still have the tightness from time to time but it has improved significantly, I think primarily due to the stretches, exercises, and physio work I've been receiving. It's funny that after all the work though the tightness is still there, though a not as bad. Cycling causes no problems, in fact according to the PH it's good for it (in my case anyway). I never thought I would get injured considering I don't often go hard, nor do I race or even ride that much...but it does make you open your eyes

31-03.-2006, 04:12 AM

#38

sportfactory

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2005

Posts: 4

Re: Achilles tendon pain - related to new shoes and/or cleat position?

Quote:

Originally Posted by noonievut

Well it's been over a month since I've had achilles tendonotis and I've had about 5 appointments with the physiotherapist and have been doing stretches and exercises 3 times a day. I still have the tightness from time to time but it has improved significantly, I think primarily due to the stretches, exercises, and physio work I've been receiving.

It's funny that after all the work though the tightness is still there, though a not as bad. Cycling causes no problems, in fact according to the PH it's good for it (in my case anyway).

I never thought I would get injured considering I don't often go hard, nor do I race or even ride that much...but it does make you open your eyes

Glad you are recovering. Injuries are not reserved for elite athletes. Anyone can get an injury but there a lot of ways to prevent them. I would go to sportfactory.com and put "injury prevention" in the search engine. There are a lot of good articles. You may want to note that you might always have a weak spot in the achilles now and will need to take some extra precaution, especially with proper warm up.

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