Achilles Tendon and compression socks

lfrazier2482

When I first got back into walking I did all the wrong things. I pulled the old cheap shoes out of the closet. I didn't stretch. I pushed myself to hard to fast. As a result I tweaked my Achilles Tendon on my right foot right next to my heel. I went out and got fitted for a good pair of shoes. I always stretch before I get on the treadmill. I take Advil twice a day and also ice my foot twice a day now. I have been doing this for about a month now. The pain isn't bad now. I really don't feel it much outside of when I do the stretching and warm up and cool downs. The problem is it just doesn't seem to be going away.
Today I went back to the store where I bought my shoes and explained my situation. The guy there suggested some ankle high compression socks. They were $40.00 a pair. I am not opposed to spending the money if it will help. I was just wondering if anyone had any real world experience with these or other advice as to what else I should be doing for this.

midnight419

Since it's been a month and you're still having problems, I'd make an appointment with an orthopedist.

blueakama

I thought compression socks for people with diabetes and those who are flying. Rest it for a day or two. If it doesn't go away, try the doctor or a physio.

MeanderingMammal

lfrazier2482 wrote: »

When I first got back into walking I did all the wrong things. I pulled the old cheap shoes out of the closet. I didn't stretch. I pushed myself to hard to fast. As a result I tweaked my Achilles Tendon on my right foot right next to my heel. I went out and got fitted for a good pair of shoes.

Notwithstanding that, did you let it heal? REST is the more important part of RICE.

I always stretch before I get on the treadmill.

Doesn't make a difference, particularly if you're only walking. The action itself should give you enough warming up and range of motion.

The problem is it just doesn't seem to be going away.

So rest it.

Today I went back to the store where I bought my shoes and explained my situation. The guy there suggested some ankle high compression socks.

There is little evidence to suggest that compression socks help during training, they do seem to be of benefit in recovery though. For runners there may be some placebo effect during the run.

Given that what you're describing sound like tendonitis thenI'd be very surprised if they'll help.

SonicDeathMonkey80

lfrazier2482 wrote: »

When I first got back into walking I did all the wrong things. I pulled the old cheap shoes out of the closet. I didn't stretch. I pushed myself to hard to fast. As a result I tweaked my Achilles Tendon on my right foot right next to my heel. I went out and got fitted for a good pair of shoes. I always stretch before I get on the treadmill. I take Advil twice a day and also ice my foot twice a day now. I have been doing this for about a month now. The pain isn't bad now. I really don't feel it much outside of when I do the stretching and warm up and cool downs. The problem is it just doesn't seem to be going away.
Today I went back to the store where I bought my shoes and explained my situation. The guy there suggested some ankle high compression socks. They were $40.00 a pair. I am not opposed to spending the money if it will help. I was just wondering if anyone had any real world experience with these or other advice as to what else I should be doing for this.

Compression socks are the broscience of running, and I'd extend that to walking too.

Get fitted for some good shoes. If your Achilles is all inflamed, you want to look for something with a higher drop, as in the heel is higher up than the toe. It prevents a full extension of the tendon. Also, Advil is not necessarily your friend - inflammation is a healing process, and Advil slows it down. I've dealt with pretty severe tendinitis in both tendons due to overuse, and found that eccentric and soleus stretching worked wonders, along with alternating between heat and cold compress (all recommended by PT). Compression works when you have a sore muscle that is bothersome when it jiggles. When I go hard on hills I feel it in my calves the next day, so I wear compression to keep the muscles from bouncing around so I can get a good run in the next day. Paying freaking $40 for a pair of socks is a pretty good indicator that they are mostly marketing.

lfrazier2482

Thanks for all the replies. I am not going to get the socks I think. Since the pain is not acute I am going to drop the Advil. Alternate between heating and icing. Also check out the stretching exercises. I am not going to get new shoes yet. The injury occurred when I was wearing my cheap New Balance shoes. My Brooks Beast's seem to be pretty good shoes. If it doesn't go away after trying your suggestions I will look into new shoes and possibly a visit to the Ortho. Thanks again for the help.