How to keep skating with a hurt achilles tendon

**Jessero** · 04-22-2009 01:37 PM

So since i got my board a few weeks ago, ive been skating at every possible opportunity. I think i overdid it, my right achilles tendon (the foot i push with) is killing me, it hurts real bad to walk on it. Ive been resting it and tried laying off skating until it heals, but only managed to take one full day off with no skating. This morning i needed to skate so i could make it to work on time, and my heel is hurting bad. I think i found the work around. Im wearing my work boots that support my ankle, plus i got an ACE ankle brace. It is one that is "neoprene" and closes with velcro. With this on i can walk normally, and can skate (a little crappier than usual).

I know rest is the key, but for anyone who has a "need" to skate, the ACE ankle brace + boots with ankle support is a life saver!

Just thought i would share

**Blix** · 04-22-2009 01:48 PM

Be careful, your achilles isn`t something to mess with, take a few days off if the pain doesn`t go away. I had just the same when I started btw, as long as you take it easy, it`ll pass.

**wooden** · 04-22-2009 01:52 PM

Unless you want a hardcore rash, don't skate with that ACE bandage one. I tried that last summer and within 3 days of skating maybe an hour two a day I had the worst rash on my ankle.

It's tough, I know, but you really need to stay off it if you want it to heal. I sprained my ankle last summer and got a stiff brace from a doctor that only allowed my foot to move up and down, it couldn't pivot, and even wearing that while skating didn't let my ankle heal for over 2 months. Rest up now so you don't regret it later, I learned it the hard way.

**Kiba V2** · 04-22-2009 01:59 PM

Use common sense and don't skate until it's healed up.

**PeterWeinrauch** · 04-22-2009 02:02 PM

or use the other foot to push with....

**igotscars** · 04-22-2009 02:08 PM

what about a pullled buttmuscle?

**Wells** · 04-22-2009 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by fatcats

Use common sense and don't skate until it's healed up.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

Also, stretch.

**ninjawong** · 04-22-2009 04:27 PM

Or get one of those electric boards.

**Delta** · 04-22-2009 04:32 PM

push mongo
or ride switch and push regular
or pump
or bike.

**DPerjar** · 04-22-2009 04:41 PM

Stretch for sure. I've been battling tendon pain in my push leg for a while. I just save my legs for sessions and don't do a lot of commuting to class, at least not as much. Stretch before you go to slepe, stretch when you wake up, stretch before skating, stretch after skating. Weight training helps too. Do low reps, high resistance, strengthens the tendons, but build yourself up.

**igotscars** · 04-22-2009 06:30 PM

Something I discovered today. Heating pads are awesome! Put some heat on that ankle before you skate and it will be like new(not promising this butt it worked for my knee and butt)

**Kiba V2** · 04-22-2009 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by ninjawong

Or get one of those electric boards.

but they take exercise out of skating...unless you go too far and your battery dies and you have to lug that beast back home with you!

**ninjawong** · 04-22-2009 08:59 PM

Oh, I would never use one for general use.
But if I had a hurt tendon...

**Jessero** · 04-23-2009 07:14 AM

Thanks for all the very sound advice. I think i will give it a rest until at least Sunday and see where im at. I was stupid last night and went to Karate class, thinking that if i "took it easy" id be fine. By the middle of class it wasnt feeling bad at all, but once i got home and was cooled off....what a mistake, it feels worse than before. As far as the suggestion of using the other foot to push, that is a good idea, i might do that after resting a few days, so i dont re-aggravate the injury. The only thing about that is i look like a bocie because i dont have the coordination yet

. But it is something i plan on learning, i eventually want to be able to do "skogging" so i guess this is an oppurtunity...

I know you guys arent doctors and everything... maybe someone is one i dont know, but how long is "normal" for this pain to last? Ive been walking with a limp and it sucks!

**Conztant** · 11-26-2009 12:05 PM

Sorry this is a little late but I thought I better post this as a reference to other skaters out there who have been having problems. If you have a pain that in the back of your heal or in the achilles area then GO SEE A DOCTOR. I've just had this problem and went to see my doctor yesterday, he said that I almost ruptured my achilles and have achilles tendonitis which means that bending and such ESPECIALLY skating could snap the tendon. It's a bitch and it takes a little while to heal but its a lot better than being out of skating for a year waiting for a ruptured achilles to heal.

**Ogre** · 11-26-2009 12:49 PM

Fist off... don't go to a longboard forum for medical advice. I have been injured many times (some rather serious) As we can give you "our" take on the situation for simply treatments.. the achilles is something that don't heal on it's own, if it is damaged or torn etc..
@nd... heal that bugger up or you will only make it worser

**Eldu** · 11-26-2009 02:03 PM

You shouldn't skate at all for weeks. I hurt my achille tendon a while back and doctor told me to stay off my board for 2 weeks. I waited for 2 weeks and started to skate again. Then the pain came back and I had to get a new appointment with the doc for new painkillers. This time I wasn't allowed to exercise for 4 weeks. After that I was supposed to start exercising carefully. The pain went away, but comes back from time to time. And that sucks balls big time. There's nothing I can do for the pain. It's with me for the rest of my shitty life.

**bummerman** · 11-26-2009 02:52 PM

we have the same problem. achilles pain, plantar fasciitis and fallen arch are very similar. the pain is very annoying and it could stop you from walking, running skating etc. this might help you...

stretch--- morning and evening, this is the most important thing you can do if you want that pain to go away.
ice pack-- evening, before going to bed.
massage-- get a bengay and start massaging your foot.
night splint-- you have to wear this at every night while you're sleeping.
shoe inserts-- you have to get some good shoe inserts. you can check it here www.northcoastfootcare.com
shoes-- you have to avoid those slip on shoes like vans classic. always get shoes with laces

**Wells** · 11-27-2009 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Ogre

Fist off... don't go to a longboard forum for medical advice. I have been injured many times (some rather serious) As we can give you "our" take on the situation for simply treatments.. the achilles is something that don't heal on it's own, if it is damaged or torn etc..
@nd... heal that bugger up or you will only make it worser

This is good advice.

That said, it sounds like you've got a little tendinitis in your ACL, which certainly isn't the end of the world.

Hit up your doctor and get it checked out.

**Tripped** · 11-27-2009 10:57 AM

I would recommend going to physiotherapy for that one. Find a local sports doctor.

I pulled and minorly tore mine in a ski race many years ago. It's just not a piece of your body you want to mess with. While it may feel okay in a few weeks, there's a good chance you'll experience some long lasting repercussions when you're older.