Achilles Injury

[rockyracoon]

Whilst (unwisely) doing the Can Can last night I hurt my ankle. It's sore between the heel and bottom of the calf, I can put a bit of weight on it if flat footed, it doesn't hurt if I leave it alone and it's not swollen. Should I just rest it up and do the RICE thing?

Ta :)

[Peaspeculiars]

Ouch, Rocky - sorry to hear about the injury, but hope you had a good time doing it!
Seriously though, if it isn't swollen or inflamed, then RICE will do nothing to help, as that set up is for sprains (hence the ice) and elevation/ compression (to counteract swelling).
So, do please rest the leg for as long as possible today, and wear either flat or no shoes and be careful going up and down the stairs. Have a warm to hot bath asap today to ease the strain on the Achilles ligament and then massage it very gently and do a few very, very light stretches after another warm/ hot bath tomorrow to try and settle it.
Basically, when the muscle has been overstretched, the connecting tissue seizes up to prevent the muscle from tearing and keeps tightly wound up even after the event - it takes times for it to relax again so heat and careful stretching should encourage it to do so. (I used to be a gymnast and got this a lot with my calves when landing after not warming up enough).
Take it easy, rest and hopefully get better soon
All the best
Peas x

[RATTER15]

I had the same problem a few moths back, I would say elevate it and apply cold pack/ice.

It caused me problems for months!

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Peas. I'll go and run a bath. Do you reckon I'd be able to use the clutch on the car in the morning? I absolutely have to get to work.

[Peaspeculiars]

I couldn't say Rocky - see how you get on this evening. Might be worth going for a literal drive round the block later and if it is too painful, book a taxi or get a lift tomorrow?

[RATTER15]

The ice really worked on mine, I could hardly walk on it without the elevation and cold pack every few hours.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Peas, and to you Ratter. I'll let you know how I get on.

[Sqad]

I agree with the advice given by peaspeculia......it doesn't sound like a significant injury, probably mist a soft tissue "insult.
Might I suggest in addition, you take Ibuprofen 400mgms three tomes a day.

[Peaspeculiars]

[..phew, thank goodness - I was worried I'd forgotten all my biology stuff]

Sqad, Can I just check something out of interest (sorry, Rocky)
Is it that the ligaments seize up when under stress to prevent the muscle tearing, or is it the muscle itself that goes into contraction and remains so after injury, therefore the stress is on the tendons? (I can't remember)? cheers

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Sqad. Unfortunaely I can't take ibuprofen (gastritis and H.Pylori)
I'm taking paracetamol as I'm not sure there's anything else I can take :(

[tamborine]

Apply support or wear DMs

https://youtu.be/_fQZj1SZkOM

[rockyracoon]

Well, the ankle became swollen over night so OH took me to A&E this morning. I'm now sporting a rather fetching purple cast for the next 6-8 weeks.

[Tilly2]

You don't get many posts beginning with
'Whilst (unwisely) doing the Can Can last night I hurt my ankle.'

In fact, I think this may be a first. :-)

[rockyracoon]

:)

[Peaspeculiars]

Oh blimey Rocky :-( V. sorry to hear that.
Sounds like the achilles was more damaged - guessing a tear?
Rest well and sincerely hope you get better soon xx

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback.....possibly a tear.....

[tamborine]

Glad u got support. Dter had similar (horse riding). Pinned achilles 3y ago & can still strain it when she steps on uneven surface.

[rockyracoon]

It's a ruptured Achilles, Peas. I'm gutted, 6 weeks cast, move foot into different position then another cast for 3-4 weeks, then a moon boot.

[tamborine]

To add, she cant wear high heels, only flats & boots with ankle support

[rockyracoon]

I tell you what though, as neglectful as I have been treated at the hospital over my gastric troubles, I was in and out of A&E this morning in an hour. Absolutely fantastic.