After a run I feel a sensation in my achilles/calf - a few inches above my actual achilles that feels like something rubbing over achilles at that point on my calf with each step I take. It is not painful just weird feeling. It goes away after a few steps. It is more pronouced in the morning in my first few steps and then goes away after time. It reapears in the morning after a run for a bit, especially since my feel is flexed down as I sleep on my stomach.
This first surfaced years ago after a marathon and does not present when I am not running. If I ice and foam roll it seems to help. But I am experiencing this now after every run.
Any ideas on this? Do I need to be concerned about it? Treatment?
Well, it doesn’t sound like it hurts you, or interferring with your running, so that’s the good news.
But I just know once an achilles / calf gets sore / injuried it takes forever to heal. I don’t really know what’s going on w/ yours, but if it’s more often I would tend to take it seriously.
I suggest backing off intensity a bit, and rolling and ice more. If not going away, go to someone who can assess it better. Massage therapists that work w/ athletes are usually pretty helpful. Or a physical therapist. Sports med doc if it’s hurting.
I have a has a similar problems for 6 months. I had the area checked out by a PT. He said everything is fine. I use mystick on the area everyday. I stretch and slightly roll my ankles when I am sttting and it seems to holding everything at bay. My best guess is scar tissue.
Thanks. That seems to make sense since it is pronounced after a run and in the mornings. My last run was Wednesday evening and I am symptom free today - not even 1 rub/click in the area.
It’s funny that you would mention this because I have exactly the same symptom. It does seem to be affected by hillier terrain than flats, or when my foot slips slightly after a fresh snowfall. I think the achilles is “talking” to us and asking for a slight reduction in volume, or a few days off to rest it. I do know from previous experience that when the achilles talks, I should listen!
Definitely sit down with a physio about this one, it could actually be a referred issue from another part of the legs / hip entirely. I had a similar sensation in my inner knee, and after much research and work with a sports physio, it turned out to be entirely connected to whether or not my lower back was tight on the right hand side.
Worked on my back symmetry, got rid of the tightness, knee / inner thigh problem has never come back.
The damnedest things can crop up with our legs, always worth following up.
I encourage you to talk with a sports doc. You don’t say how old you are but I don’t think what you describe is uncommon particularly first thing in the morning. Unless the sports doc says otherwise I would continue to run as often and with the same intensity you are now. I am basing this advice on your comment that you have no pain while you are running. Keep rolling and add sets of heal raises with both straight and bent legs. Good luck!
Doc told me today it is achilles tendonosis. Recommend icing after use and eccentric exercise - heel drop. Said no need to stop running since it is mild and I don’t have pain. Follow up in 3/4 weeks.
Doc told me today it is achilles tendonosis. Recommend icing after use and eccentric exercise - heel drop. Said no need to stop running since it is mild and I don’t have pain. Follow up in 3/4 weeks.
I’m always surprised by this advice (from a professional or anyone else). Proper care and sterngthening is good no matter what stage of injury/healing. But when an overuse injury is dignosed, it is prudent to stop the aggravating activity at least for a short while to allow the body to calm down and heal.
Granted it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t get better, but when we are always scared of worsening an injury or re-injury then its not worth the risk IMO.
Bobby McGee, Five Time Olympic Running Coach, has an interesting video regarding effective stretches for the achilles/calf that may help prevent injuries.
Does it feel like a rubber band is kinda snapping you in the back of the foot? But not full power?
If so, I have the same issue…think it’s just tightness in the tendon…stretch it out and should be fine. Usually feel it morning after long run.
Not really snapping but like rubbing over it. Disappears after a bit. Doc explained it was the sheath that the tendon slides in is inflamed not the actual tendon. It is not painful but does not feel natural.