Workout ideas while Achilles sprain is healing?

crystalfisher89

I sprained my Achilles tendon about three weeks ago and I've only ran twice in the last three weeks- once for 2 miles and once for 3 miles. This Sunday I ran because my achilles was feeling much better so I tried running 3 miles- I succeeded, but my achilles hurt a lot after that. With more reading, I guess I need to just kick running out altogether for the month of April at least and work on healing on the tendon, but I don't want to fall out of shape. Should I do elliptical, weight lifting, bike as alternative workouts? What are some other work outs I could do? Should I use jump rope to help strengthen my tendon too?

Any help is much appreciated and any ideas to help with the recovery process would be great too! Btw I am going to my chiropractor who also practices sports medicine and he is working on my achilles every other week with laser treatment.

Thanks!

RunWinterGarden

I don't know enough about an achilles injury, but I have massive shin splints and I've had a severe ankle sprain a few times. I'd suggest something low impact like biking, possibly elliptical, swimming to get your cardio and then doing whatever weight training you are able to do without putting much strain on the injured leg. Also, go see an orthopedic and see what they say and get the necessary PT to let your achilles heal correctly.

queenbea77

I had tendonitis in the side of my foot (which lead to Achilles pain in the other foot) and I was only able to swim. Unfortunately, with those types of injuries about all you can do it rest it, ice it and give it time to get better. I ended up having physical therapy for my foot for about 2 -3 months so I think it was a total of at least 6 months between the time the pain started until I was cleared to workout again - I let mine get way to bad before I saw a DR and I tried to "sneak" in working out and didn't give it the rest I should have. I hope you don't have as hard a time as I did recovering. Good luck

ChrisLindsay9

With more reading, I guess I need to just kick running out altogether for the month of April at least and work on healing on the tendon, but I don't want to fall out of shape. Should I do elliptical, weight lifting, bike as alternative workouts? What are some other work outs I could do? Should I use jump rope to help strengthen my tendon too?

For cardio workouts, I'm thinking rowing machines might have the least strain on the achilles? I'm not sure about jumping rope. I'd probably shelve that for a couple of weeks.

I primarily do weight training, of which I'm a fan. If you're going to a gym, maybe this might be an opportunity to take a class for a couple of weeks that emphasizes resistance training of some sort?