Plantaris tendon tear?

Triathlon Forum
1

I was diagnosed with Plantaris tendon rupture of my left leg a couple of years ago. Took 2-3 months before I could run long distances again, and I had to build up a mile or two at a time. When I could finally run, I purposefully took it hard on my right leg to get that one to tear in the off season. I thought I was successful, because I had the same symptoms (stabbing pain under the calf/posterior-medial surface of the tibia with ecchymosis down to my ankle). BUT, it didn’t take so long to heal…only a few weeks. Two years later, I have similar symptoms with the right, however it didn’t POP when it first occurred…more like a cramp that just got worse. I could still run for a few miles before I had to stop. Finally, one day, it did pop. Sounded like someone dropping a walnut beside me. And it really hurt, like my original Left injury.

Iced it daily for a couple of weeks, swellling gradually subsiding, then tried to run just a little and WHAM. Really bad. I am guessing that I just had a partial tear before, and now it’s complete. Talked to three local orthopods at work, none of which has seen a plantaris tear (all of which have used that tendon in transplants), none of which really knew what to say about being able to bike just fine, but limping when I walk unless I get up on the ball of my foot as I step through. These three work on old people, and are not sports oriented, so that explains their lack of familiarity with the symptoms, but, it seems like classic Plantaris tendon to me.

Don’t seem to be able successfully to get an appointment with a sports guy nearby unless I go through the “primary care knucklehead”, to get to the specialist. I do have access to ultrasound, and just started that.

The real question is: does this sound accurate enough to just continue conservative treatment, or does it sound like it might be something else that would require more radical treatment? If it could be a radical treatment thing, I’ve got to get it done now so I can heal before next year. But, it’s a good time for me to just let it rest, because I know I can’t do any running races the rest of this season, and then it’s off-season.

2

Titan,

I here there used to be a pretty good physician just outside of Columbia, SC that a lot of the Carolina Panthers used to use without a referral!!!

Sorry to hear about the injury. Just trying to keep your topic on the front page.

3

Got a name?

Hope your injured parts are still progressively getting better.

4

You won’t find anyone to repair this since the “tendon” itself is about the size of a thick rubber band and you can live just fine without it. I harvest this tendon often as well to augment Achilles tendon ruptures (that you definitely need :slight_smile: You would likely have more problems with/after surgery than the rupture itself (once it heals that is). A complete plantaris rupture doesn’t usually heal back together per se, just fibrosis in to the side of the achilles and you should have no ill aftereffects.

Best thing now is supportive therapy, etc. You SHOULD be sure of the dx first though (i.e. MRI, etc), then proceed.

5

Thanks for your time. I know it isn’t a “needed” structure, but, it sure can throw a wrench into things. I also know it’s not a surgical repair job, IF the PT is what it is. I think it is, though. I will just give it more time to adhere/scar and hope it’s a complete tear this time. I’m really happy with how much better I feel after ultrasound yesterday…I’m almost not limping when I walk! The more I review the sequelae following my professionally diagnosed Left PT tear, the more I realize I’m just trying to hurry the return to running too quickly. Any more glitches in it’s recovery, though, and I’m going to jump through whatever hoops I have to in order to see a sports orthopod. Thanks again!

6

How did this work out for you? It appears I am dealing with the same. Thanks!

7

Full recovery. It’s a nuisance injury more than anything else. If that is what you have, you should be able to work through it after a little rest. Best of wishes to you!

8

It’s what I think I’m working with, but similar to you, I think this may only be a partial tear. Thinking it might be worth it to get the MRI just to be sure if what I’m working with.

9

Maybe you did pop your plantaris tendon but i think you just have partial ruptures in your achilles. You likely have bilateral tendinopathy and should engage in proper rehabilitation. Search for “tendon neuroplastic training”, it’s a cool concept which I find solid. It might not be neuroplastic but its still solid rehab.

10

Eccentric heel drops and foam rolling may help.