I developed tendonitis in my achilles about 10 years ago as an impact injury when i used to run, but a couple of cheese shaped inserts sorted that. Unfortunately it has started again in my left heel whilst riding and the inserts are no good as they fit the rear of my shoes.
Anyone had anything similar or have any ideas how to get rid of this, I haven't been out on a ride for 2 weeks and i am going nuts.
I get pretty bad tendonitis when I hike/climb (I can hear a lovely squeaking noise when i move my feet after a long climb, which i'm told is caused by fluid being squirted at pressure due to tendonitis in my achilles).
I find that diclofenac (ask your doc, or get just get some ibroprofen if you can't get diclofenac) and a support works pretty well.
These work for me:
[url= http://www.jointsupports.co.uk/acatalog/Ankle_Support_with_Zipper_722.html ]LP Ankle Support with zipper[/url]
Also, stand on a step before you ride and do as many calf raises as you are comfortable with in order stretch it out. Then repeat the same exercise when you are finished riding.
For me, there's not really a cure, but I can certainly reduce the discomfort/pain to a level that i'm comfortable with.
Go to a physio.
Just got mine sorted after 7 years. Physio got me doing 'eccentric lowers' for 3 months and loads of stretches. The lump has now gone and not had any aches or pains so definitely made progress but remains to be seen whether its fully healed and will ceom back again.
Rolling you foot back and forward over a tennis ball is supposed to help.
Couple of things.
What's your seat height like? Your achilles tendons shouldn't really be taking much strain whilst cycling, so the first thing I'd look at is seat height. Strained achilles would suggest that your saddle is too low and you're pushing your heels down too far whilst pedalling.
Secondly, check your pedalling technique. Do you 'ankle'? That is, move your foot up and down from the ankle to minimise the extension of the legs ( http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/ankling.html) Excessive ankling can cause achilles issues.
i had serious issues with this a couple years ago
several physios had a go at em and no one got anything like close to fixing it .....despite me religeously following their exercises
smee mrs(who is a physio) made a remark about it probably stemming from tightness else where .....
worked on flexibility in my hamstrings and lower back - low and behold - no more issues
Thanks folkes some good advice there. I think i need to get to a specialist and have them look at my riding position/technique. I tried a lot of physio and stretching when i first developed the problem through running and they didn't have much effect, but it could be a different root cause this time so i will try some of your suggestions.
Funnily enough - doing exactly what trail rat said sorted mine out pronto. Myofascial chains innit.
Get to a Specialist Biomech Podiatrist. Tennis Ball rolling is no good for tendonitis, thats better for plantar fasciitis. Eccentric stretching has really good results in building strength back in the achillies. You really should get this seen to, if it was corrected before using 'cheese wedges' then it sounds like a corrective for pronation pulling that achillie out of line...far too tech for me to go into detail here.... not enough time and patients waiting!
I sometime suffer from this, the fastest way to recover is rest – not what we want to do. A good tip I got for icing the area is to freeze a card board/paper cup and use it to massage directly the affected area.