Life of Wry

… is my achilles tendon.

Specifically, I have chronic tendinosis… or degenerative tendinopathy… defined thusly:

Achilles tendinosis is a condition in which very small tears form and inflammation occurs in the Achilles tendon. Otherwise known as degenerative tendinopathy, this disorder frequently affects athletes and happens when too much stress is placed on the tendon.

I forgot I had this (officially diagnosed with an MRI in 2012) until my current physical therapist (the amazing Shanette) reminded me last week. I’d had plenty of issues with my achilles tendons before 2012, and tried numerous PT-advised strategies, but 2012 was the diagnostic breakthrough.

Yay?

And I addressed it! And I have seen years of painless tendons. Until recently when it flared up.. prolly due to aging (less supple tissue and lots of wear and tear), and maybe just too much walking on hard surfaces. Maybe a rest day or two each week between those long walks? Maybe cushier shoes? Maybe getting rid of those negative heel shoes? Argg.

I’ve been immobilizing my heel this week to rest the tendon and hopefully reduce the inflammation (read: pain) before our Yosemite hiking trip next week. I’ve been wearing a boot (the dreaded) and refraining from my 5-mile walks on Davis pavement (bad). Today, I shifted my strategy to kinesiology tape and ibuprofen. It was a pain-free day!

I’m hopeful for next week’s hiking.