Achilles Tendon pain

[TheDoublR]

If the boot heel cup presses on the tendon, that can cause damage to the tendon. If there is pressure, trash the boots.

Think about what you do different in the boots, perhaps it is the activity and not the footwear.

Where does it hurt on the tendon? Pain down close to the ankle or up higher?

Stretching, despite what we have all been told for years, doesn't help tendons. Tendons like slow, heavy loading. For the Achilles heavy calf raises are the fix with a slow lowering phase.

If the pain is high in the tendon, then full range of motion, dropping the heel below the level of the toes. Such as standard on the edge of a step

If the pain is near the ankle bone, dropping the heel below the toes compresses the injured area and is bad. So calf raises on a flat surface.

I worked through some left distal Achilles tendinitis this year. Still doing heavy calf raises to keep it away, and avoid resting the back of my heals on hard surfaces.

^ this

 

[Frozenlead]

I see a few post from people here that tore their achilles and had them repaired. Can anyone explain their post surgery recovery? When did you feel like hiking with a pack was doable again?

I tore my right achilles yesterday morning. Was seen by a local surgeon yesterday and he confirmed it. He recommended surgery but we haven’t set a date, he wants to wait at least a week for the swelling to calm down some.

I have an Idaho mule deer hunt scheduled for mid-October. It’s in a unit I’ve hunted before and allows vehicles/atvs so I can use those to cut down on the required hiking. I’m 30 years old, in good shape, and determined to make it on the hunt if possible at all. The surgeon acted like it was potentially possible but of course he doesn’t know what all goes into that type of hunt. Would love to hear from other outdoorsman that have gone through this process.

I’d say it is possible, definitely be uncomfortable. I do think it’s a lot bit on the optimistic side. Depends on how quickly they get it repaired and how rehab goes.
I went back to work after 3 months, killed an elk in a river valley at the 5month mark. 100% would not have been able to pack it out. Inclines/declines were hard on things, daypack and rifle only. Did about 5km’s hiking that day.
You’ll probably be looking at near 8 weeks before you’re walking without an air boot on. I was 2 weeks hard cast and then 6 weeks with an air boot, slowly removing shims to flatten the foot out. Probably 8-10 months before it wasn’t bothering me after a work day. 9 years currently and it still lets me know it’s there some days.

 

[Wiregrass Wilderness]

Thank you @Frozenlead , I appreciate the insight. I know it’s on the optimistic side but I’d love to make the hunt happen if possible. Glad to hear you recovered pretty much all the way.

This will be my third orthopedic surgery. College football brought me the first two. I know the long road ahead but I’m willing to do the work to get back to living an active life. The Idaho hunt is the only big thing that I’m trying to meet a certain timeline for. Otherwise I’ll take my time and hopefully be fully recovered before next summer.