What is the worst thing that will happen if I ignore tendonitis?

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7elizamae
7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, I have tendonitis in my foot. Pain on the top of the foot, aggravated primarily by walking and running. No pain from standing all day, biking, HIIT workouts, etc.

I do not want to rest it for 8 weeks. I already skipped the ENTIRE SUMMER of hiking in an attempt to let this stupid foot heal. It had been painful enough to make me limp back in the Spring. So, I rested it. Now it feels fine until I take a walk over .5 mile or so.

Then, it hurts, but it isn't debilitating. It bugs me. It aches some.

I don't want to take long walks or run or hike every day. But, will I damage something if I just do it now and then? I just do not want to sit on my butt.

I understand that some tendonitis may just be part of aging. I'm 45, a healthy weight, and am willing to put up with some pain to remain active.

Am I going to cause some other problem? Or should I just go ahead and do what I want to do?
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Replies

  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,261 Member
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    What did the doctor say
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 17,959 Member
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    ^^ This. I had tendonitis, and my doctor put me on a short course of steroids and I've been good ever since. Is rest the only thing they've suggested? if so, could you seek another opinion?
  • h7463
    h7463 Posts: 626 Member
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    Let it heal. Worst case? It gets chronic. Not funny.

    Get well soon :)
  • Maleficent0241
    Maleficent0241 Posts: 386 Member
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    Worst thing? Tendon rupture. Of course, not every case will result in that and it really depends on which tendon, the severity, and the cause. You really should see a doctor. Find out where you're at, and if you can continue exercising. It's not a guarantee that you will need complete rest (I was just shown how to tape mine properly to continue with track and field), but it's a possibility.
  • BetterKimmer
    BetterKimmer Posts: 178 Member
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    :( Well, sad to say, but you could make the matter worse or at least prolong the full recovery. Bummer. I hope you can rest it long enough for a full recovery. Just keep up the things that don't aggravate it.
  • 7elizamae
    7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
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    Therealobi1 wrote: »
    What did the doctor say
    I go again on Friday. But I'm dreading it because I'm afraid of what she'll say. My plan was for you all to tell me some good news so I wouldn't worry. :|
  • 7elizamae
    7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
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    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    ^^ This. I had tendonitis, and my doctor put me on a short course of steroids and I've been good ever since. Is rest the only thing they've suggested? if so, could you seek another opinion?

    I'll find out Friday. I'd love an easy fix like some steroids.

    I just miss hiking so much and am really missing long walks on the gorgeous fall days. Hiking is what my husband and I DO for recreation. That and skiing -- which may have started my problem last winter.
  • 7elizamae
    7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
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    Maleficent0241 wrote: »
    Worst thing? Tendon rupture. Of course, not every case will result in that and it really depends on which tendon, the severity, and the cause. You really should see a doctor. Find out where you're at, and if you can continue exercising. It's not a guarantee that you will need complete rest (I was just shown how to tape mine properly to continue with track and field), but it's a possibility.

    I'd be so happy if she could show me how to tape it in a way that would help. I guess that's an encouragement to go in.

    I've never been a doctor-avoider, but I'm really dreading what she'll say. It helps to hear that there are some good possibilities.
  • ernurse77
    ernurse77 Posts: 73 Member
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    I had (have) tendonitis in my right elbow. I ignored it and never let it rest properly, even after the cortisone shot. Because of my stubbornness, I ended up rupturing my extensor tendon. I am a bodybuilder and have been sidelined for the last 3 months from lifting with my right arm due to surgery. I have been off of work for 3 months, and quite possibly could be off for another 3 months. If your physician recommends physical therapy, do it. Let it rest....find another activity until you are pain free.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
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    tendons can rupture... not pleasant
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,951 Member
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    7elizamae wrote: »
    Am I going to cause some other problem? Or should I just go ahead and do what I want to do?
    What did the doctor say?

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,951 Member
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    singingflutelady wrote: »
    tendons can rupture... not pleasant

    Relevant picturebook.
    http://reconplasticsurgsf.blogspot.com/2009/04/achilles-tendon-rupture-is-treated.html
  • Lofteren
    Lofteren Posts: 960 Member
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    The worst that will happen is the tendon will rupture and you'll have to have surgery which will take much longer than 8 weeks to recover from. Just take the 8 weeks off and do exercise that doesn't bother your tendon. You can still swim, bench press, do pull ups, etc... Just work around it and let it heal.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    edited October 2014
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    Lofteren wrote: »
    The worst that will happen is the tendon will rupture and you'll have to have surgery which will take much longer than 8 weeks to recover from. Just take the 8 weeks off and do exercise that doesn't bother your tendon. You can still swim, bench press, do pull ups, etc... Just work around it and let it heal.

    Exactly. This may sound ridiculous but if you're not competing in hiking, then take a break and let your body heal; there's nothing gained by pushing something for casual or non-competitive exercise.

    What you do need to do is figure out why you're developing this tendonitis. There is likely an issue somewhere in how you move that is causing this problem. Like others have said, you could rupture the tendon eventually OR this could lead to a larger injury. Once something is injured it can cause other muscles to overcompensate (synergistic dominance) and this can lead into the "cumulative injury cycle." Basically one injury will eventually lead to another injury which will lead to another injury.

    My suggestion would be to take a break and see if your doctor can refer you to a Physical Therapist or somebody that can do a Kinetic Chain Assessment on you to see where you might be deficient.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    edited October 2014
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    7elizamae wrote: »
    I just do not want to sit on my butt.
    If you rupture your achilles tendon you will sit on your butt for 3 months (post surgery). Then you will spend 6 months in physical therapy. Then another 3 months continuing to build up strength and stretching the repaired tendon. It takes about a year to fully recover from a tendon injury. Unpleasant is an understatement. A year is a really long and painful time compared to 8 weeks of rest.

    See you doctor and come up with a plan that will avoid a serious injury.

    Edit - Re-reading your post it doesn't sound like the problem is with your Achilles. You mention the top of the foot not the heel. Nevertheless see your doctor to figure out what's going on.
  • 7elizamae
    7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
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    I sound like a bratty little kid in my original post, don't I? That's how I feel! I just want this over so I can do what I want when I want.

    Doctor tomorrow.

    I feel so grumpy when I can't be active.

    Thanks, all of you, for posting a bit of good sense. I won't walk today -- just another HIIT workout and ANOTHER stationary bike workout.

    And I'll try to be thankful that I can even do that.
  • littlekitty3
    littlekitty3 Posts: 265 Member
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    Surgery.
  • 7elizamae
    7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
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    I got some kind of good news today at the doctor.

    I'm referred to a foot specialist who will most likely make me some orthotics which should help the problem. Apparently my very high arches may need some more support.

    In the meantime, she said I can walk or hike or do whatever I want and don't need to worry about making it worse. She said take ibuprofen for pain and ice it, but that it isn't a case of where I'm going to do any hideous damage.

    :) I'll be going on a long fall-weather walk tomorrow!
  • LINIA
    LINIA Posts: 1,075 Member
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    that is very good news, thanks for update, enjoy your long walks.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
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    you can lose use of your foot.

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