(29M USA) Achilles problem - how serious is it and medical care

[AlwaysAlreadyOn]

Hi y'all. Been crushing miles on the Camino Frances and a couple of days ago I started having some deep pain in my lower right calf/ankle - the Achilles region. Stretching and flexing the foot became more difficult. Yesterday I took a short day due to the difficulties (13miles) and stopped at Sahagún. Today I saw the massage person at Sahagún and they massaged me and told me to use a support sock thing and to use a cold cream two or three times a day. I took the train to Leon to take some rest days for the foot bc I didn't think I could make it on foot.

My question to you all is, should I see a physical therapist or doctor to get a closer look at the Achilles? I have travel insurance so if it's completely unusable (I don't have the experience with sports injuries to tell if I'm fucked or just need a couple days rest) I would rather know now and try to get treatment (surgery/pt) here, rather than what, flying back to the states and then bankrupting myself with a doctor there?

Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences, if I'm overreacting, and if you have recommendations for what I should do.

 

[SabsP]

Yes, see a gp or someone in a centro de salud / clinic . Only they can tell you if your Achilles is really " fucked " as you describe so poetically.
If you have travel insurance you can go to a private clinic ( they are better equipped to deal with foreigners and their insurances / paperwork than state clinics ).

Descubre todos los Hospitales privados en León (actualizado 2024)

Listado completo y detallado de Hospitales privados en León. Conoce los mejores hospitales y clínicas privadas de la localidad, así como los seguros de salud

hospitales-privados.es

 

[Lindsay53]

If you have doubts see a doctor. Asking for medical advice here is pointless. Your isurance should cover it.

 

[FSP]

Same thing happened to me in 2022 early in a attempt to hike to PCT. Everything was going great until I felt what you described. I used and online Physio based in the USA that specializes in treating thru hikers. She is very good and can assess you online. Cost is minimal. Here is her contact info. https://blazephysio.com/
In my case she assessed that I could not continue and to be examined in a clinic with imaging. I ended up flying back to Canada and seeing my Doc who arranged for an ultrasound. He said an MRI would be better but in Canada for something like this I'd be waiting a year or more by which time it would be healed anyway. The Ultra sound showed micro tears in the tendon and pulled muscle and plantar tendon damage. Had I kept going I would have eventually torn my tendon right through. In any event, a year of physio therapy later and in July 2023 I solo hiked from the interior of Iceland to the coast for two weeks.
Whatever action you take good luck. I know how you are feeling but error on the side of less damage. Dr. Morgan Brosnihan at Blaze will get you going in the right direction if you choose to use her services.
Best of luck
Frank

 

[dick bird]

You´ve got absolutely nothing to lose by seeing a doctor and a lot to gain. The Spanish health system is excellent and they are very unlikely to prescribe treatment you do not need.

 

[Robo]

See a doctor asap. I lived with Achilles pain on my first Camino caused in training, and I’m always trying to keep it from flaring up. I see my doctor, physio, get scans and get shots pre Camino now.

Physios in Spain are very good, and know Camino injuries well.

Get professional help.

You’ve likely been walking too far, too fast with too much weight,

Ps. Did you see a massage person or a physiotherapist? (Physio ). A Fisio / Physio will provide additional treatments, show you stretches to do, and strapping techniques if you need them.

 

[Scott Fraser]

Hi y'all. Been crushing miles on the Camino Frances and a couple of days ago I started having some deep pain in my lower right calf/ankle - the Achilles region. Stretching and flexing the foot became more difficult. Yesterday I took a short day due to the difficulties (13miles) and stopped at Sahagún. Today I saw the massage person at Sahagún and they massaged me and told me to use a support sock thing and to use a cold cream two or three times a day. I took the train to Leon to take some rest days for the foot bc I didn't think I could make it on foot.

My question to you all is, should I see a physical therapist or doctor to get a closer look at the Achilles? I have travel insurance so if it's completely unusable (I don't have the experience with sports injuries to tell if I'm fucked or just need a couple days rest) I would rather know now and try to get treatment (surgery/pt) here, rather than what, flying back to the states and then bankrupting myself with a doctor there?

Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences, if I'm overreacting, and if you have recommendations for what I should do.

By all means, see a doctor. If he/she tells you you're done walking and you have to return home, you should get a note from the doctor describing the diagnosis and their instructions to you to stop walking. That way if you incur additional expenses in changing air tickets to return home early you can claim the cost of cancelling or changing flights from your travel insurance company. I know from experience that if you don't see a doctor before cancelling your camino the insurance won't cover any additional travel costs you might incur.

 

[lt56ny]

Yes see a doctor and stop crushing it.

 

[bullingtonce]

Hi y'all. Been crushing miles on the Camino Frances and a couple of days ago I started having some deep pain in my lower right calf/ankle - the Achilles region. Stretching and flexing the foot became more difficult. Yesterday I took a short day due to the difficulties (13miles) and stopped at Sahagún. Today I saw the massage person at Sahagún and they massaged me and told me to use a support sock thing and to use a cold cream two or three times a day. I took the train to Leon to take some rest days for the foot bc I didn't think I could make it on foot.

My question to you all is, should I see a physical therapist or doctor to get a closer look at the Achilles? I have travel insurance so if it's completely unusable (I don't have the experience with sports injuries to tell if I'm fucked or just need a couple days rest) I would rather know now and try to get treatment (surgery/pt) here, rather than what, flying back to the states and then bankrupting myself with a doctor there?

Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences, if I'm overreacting, and if you have recommendations for what I should do.

You are not 'fucked' by any means. Life tests come in all forms and almost always at unexpected times. How you 'rally' will say a lot about you. Thank God for these 'favors' he does for you and everyone else. One gets better by enduring pain, both physical and otherwise. Be sure to send a thank you note to God. Chuck

 

[AlwaysAlreadyOn]

Hi y'all. Been crushing miles on the Camino Frances and a couple of days ago I started having some deep pain in my lower right calf/ankle - the Achilles region. Stretching and flexing the foot became more difficult. Yesterday I took a short day due to the difficulties (13miles) and stopped at Sahagún. Today I saw the massage person at Sahagún and they massaged me and told me to use a support sock thing and to use a cold cream two or three times a day. I took the train to Leon to take some rest days for the foot bc I didn't think I could make it on foot.

My question to you all is, should I see a physical therapist or doctor to get a closer look at the Achilles? I have travel insurance so if it's completely unusable (I don't have the experience with sports injuries to tell if I'm fucked or just need a couple days rest) I would rather know now and try to get treatment (surgery/pt) here, rather than what, flying back to the states and then bankrupting myself with a doctor there?

Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences, if I'm overreacting, and if you have recommendations for what I should do.

Hi y'all - here's an update. I went to the do itctor today and she looked at it only for a minute or so. My understanding of what she was saying was that she doesn't recommend I continue on foot.


I'm a little vexed because of how reasonably well I'm feeling already and bc of how short she looked at it. Could she be recommending not continuing on foot out of an abundance of caution? Should I take the risk level to be that of eating too many high cholesterol foods, smoking or touching uranium? Or is my foot about to fall off?


Personally, I think I want to at least try continuing after a couple of rest days by sending my backpack on ahead. That alone plus rest might make a difference!

Would upload an image of my discharge papers but I can't figure it out.

 

[Charles Ross]

One consideration is that you apparently are not injured RIGHT now, at least injured enough to invoke an insurance claim and you also have a doctor's recommendation that you NOT continue walking. What happens if you continue with your "crushing it" experience and end up 'crushing it'? Will your insurance company honor a claim for a future injury?

 

[Rickcrna]

At the very least take a couple of rest days, take some ant-inflammatory meds, strongly consider a pack transport service for your daily stages, reduce your daily walking distance, etc. Reassess after a couple of days to decide if you need to come home and finish your Camino another time. If the inner voice is telling you to change your plans then listen to it. Spoken from experience!

 

[SabsP]

Hi y'all - here's an update. I went to the do itctor today and she looked at it only for a minute or so. My understanding of what she was saying was that she doesn't recommend I continue on foot.


I'm a little vexed because of how reasonably well I'm feeling already and bc of how short she looked at it. Could she be recommending not continuing on foot out of an abundance of caution?

Again, I am not a doctor so in situations as these I would always follow the advise of a doctor.

Even is she only looked at it for a minute. And sorry to be so harsh but if you did not understand her well in the first instance you should have asked her for more details and not us here.

She saw you on a Sunday afterall which probably means she was on call and maybe they were a bit understaffed. But what a wonderful option to be able to consult a doctor and receive such swift and cheap help.

 

[mattythedog]

Hi y'all - here's an update. I went to the do itctor today and she looked at it only for a minute or so. My understanding of what she was saying was that she doesn't recommend I continue on foot.


I'm a little vexed because of how reasonably well I'm feeling already and bc of how short she looked at it. Could she be recommending not continuing on foot out of an abundance of caution? Should I take the risk level to be that of eating too many high cholesterol foods, smoking or touching uranium? Or is my foot about to fall off?


Personally, I think I want to at least try continuing after a couple of rest days by sending my backpack on ahead. That alone plus rest might make a difference!

Would upload an image of my discharge papers but I can't figure it out.

If your feet feel better after the short break, keep going. My own experience with Achilles tendinitis in 2019:

After averaging 40 km per day for 10 days on CF, both Achilles became swollen and sore. I asked advice from 100 people, some were doctors, on my email list. My solution was
Drink lots of water
Apply Voltaren gel (strong) 2x per day
Take 600mg ibuprofen 3x per day
Use trekking pole or roller to deeply massage calf muscles several times a day
Stretch every hour of walking
Reduce stride distance
Use trekking poles 100% while walking
Slow down to half speed for 2 days
Spend extra day in Leon to find better inner soles
Walk half speed/distance 2 more days
Cured and back to 40km per day to Santiago while keeping meds, massage and stretching routine

 

[trecile]

I recommend going to HM Regla hospital in León. They have English speaking staff to act as interpreters so that you understand what the doctor's diagnosis is.

Leon - HMI

Welcome to León

www.internationalhm.com

 

[VNwalking]

Just reconsider the 'crushing it' part.

 

[SabsP]

My solution was
Drink lots of water
Apply Voltaren gel (strong) 2x per day
Take 600mg ibuprofen 3x per day

This means 1800 mg Ibuprofen per day in combination with the strong Voltaren gel!

Strong word of advise to those want to take this approach: inform yourself with your gp or pharmacist.
Using these amounts is harmful!
Pain is a signal!
If it does not go away with a simple Paracetamol see a health professional.

 

[VNwalking]

Using these amounts is harmful!

Amen. Unless you don't care about your kidneys. But seriously. Kidney failure is no laughing matter and it's a risk with high doses of NSAIDs. I cringe when people talk about 'Vitamin I.'

 

[Madamjoy]

At the very least take a couple of rest days, take some ant-inflammatory meds, strongly consider a pack transport service for your daily stages, reduce your daily walking distance, etc. Reassess after a couple of days to decide if you need to come home and finish your Camino another time. If the inner voice is telling you to change your plans then listen to it. Spoken from experience!

Listen to Rickcrna. Get some anti inflammatory and take a few days off. I had something similar and saw a physio who taped my lower leg and told me to buy an ankle brace. I did all of this and rested and eventually continued. I also slowed down my pace and stopped trying to keep up with everyone else’s pace. Take care of yourself and don’t let the injury get worse.

 

[LeslieC]

Heel pads in your footwear can help take some of the load off your Achilles - cheap to try and may benefit you. But don't push it.

 

[mattythedog]

This means 1800 mg Ibuprofen per day in combination with the strong Voltaren gel!

Strong word of advise to those want to take this approach: inform yourself with your gp or pharmacist.
Using these amounts is harmful!
Pain is a signal!
If it does not go away with a simple Paracetamol see a health professional.

FYI, my GP, 3 orthopedic surgeons, physical therapist, massage therapist and Gastroentomologist concur with my regimen I have been able to reduce the meds over my last few Camino's. But by all means, take your own advice

 

[trecile]

FYI, my GP, 3 orthopedic surgeons, physical therapist, massage therapist and Gastroentomologist concur with my regimen I have been able to reduce the meds over my last few Camino's. But by all means, take your own advice

The point is that you conferred with your doctors, who are familiar with your medical history, which is what everyone should do.

 

[Robo]

If it was me, I would get a second opinion.
And this time ensure I understood everything.
Using google translate if need be.

And, be sensible.

I share the following, only to illustrate what can happen and how it can sometimes be managed.
This was my case, not your case. Always seek medical advice!!!

As mentioned, I started my first Camino with this condition.
I said to my doctor “but it will get better as I walk, wont it”?
The reply …. “No, it will get worse”. And it did.

I walked mainly short days, of about 20 kms.
Anything over 25 kms was agony.
Anything near 30 kms required a recovery day.

I used meds (under medical direction).
RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Heel wedges to ease the tendon stretch.
Ankle compression socks…
Stretching, as shown by the physios along the way.
By the end I was stretching about every 200-300 metres.

At every opportunity from about halfway, I saw a Physio and they strapped my feet.
See below.

By Sarria , I was down to 10 kms a day…shuffling along.

My point? Mostly it gets worse.
You need to acknowledge that and care for your feet accordingly.

And if you get a second opinion….
Ask if continuing will cause any permanent damage!!!

And if they say stop. Then stop.
I made sure to follow medical advice given along the way.
Good luck!

Afternote.

I had cortisone injections into my Achilies before I departed for the Camino.
(Injury caused during training)

This gave some good relief for about the first 400 kms, til it wore off.
You could ask if this might help your condition?

But. Be aware. It has to be done under Ultrasound Guidance.
You probbaly will not be allowed to walk for 2-3 days after it.
And it can have side effects if you are not careful. Like snapping your Achilies!

The Achillies taping I would get done by a Physio, and try to make it last a week.
Hence if looks a bit grubby!

The other taping I did, for Shin Splints.....

PS. I have since learnt to avoid all these injuries!! Much easier.........

Only 100 kms to Go!

• Robo
• Dec 18, 2018
• 1

What would we do without tape!!

Running out of tape...

• Robo
• Dec 18, 2020
• 1

Black nails, tape....all part of the fun!

Santiago or Bust!

• Robo
• Dec 31, 2016
• 3

Starting to hurt now.... Just 140 kms to go.
Thank heavens for Tape, Ice and Vitamin I (Ibuprofen)

 

[henrythedog]

Hi y'all - here's an update. I went to the do itctor today and she looked at it only for a minute or so. My understanding of what she was saying was that she doesn't recommend I continue on foot.


I'm a little vexed because of how reasonably well I'm feeling already and bc of how short she looked at it. Could she be recommending not continuing on foot out of an abundance of caution? Should I take the risk level to be that of eating too many high cholesterol foods, smoking or touching uranium? Or is my foot about to fall off?


Personally, I think I want to at least try continuing after a couple of rest days by sending my backpack on ahead. That alone plus rest might make a difference!

Would upload an image of my discharge papers but I can't figure it out.

I think you should decide for yourself. You are obviously in a much better position to assess your degree of discomfort than anyone else and you’ll suffer the consequences - if any - of pushing it too far.

You can ship your bag, get a local taxi number and so on and so forth.

Up to my 50’s, I’d just plough on and ignore the potential consequences.

Now, nearly 60, at the first sign of trouble I’d be sat at a roadside table with my leg up ordering the entire left-side of the menu and shouting ‘buen Camino’ at all and sundry as they go by.

 

[Atlas Traveler]

One consideration is that you apparently are not injured RIGHT now, at least injured enough to invoke an insurance claim and you also have a doctor's recommendation that you NOT continue walking. What happens if you continue with your "crushing it" experience and end up 'crushing it'? Will your insurance company honor a claim for a future injury?

Most insurance policies would cover injuries even if you further exacerbate the injury as long as the injury manifested during the trip. I also think it's wise to rest and give your body time to heal. Not worth the possible complications caused by over use.

 

[NancyLee]

Ok AllReadyOn - here is my story. Bear with me as you have heard many! I went to walk Camino Frances in April 2018 and because I pushed too hard, I went home (Canada) after 7 days in a wheelchair and couldn’t walk for 3 weeks - Achilles tendinitis. I was heartbroken, defeated and never going back. But the universe had another plan, I returned to Logrono to pick up where I left off in September, 2019 and made it toSantiago! Lessons learned - LISTEN to your body, send your backpack ahead each day, use 2 sticks, and allow for rest days. That day in April, a man in los arcos told me to stop and I wish I had listened! I now wear trail shoes rather than boots and wear plastic small orthotic inserts just at my instep area. I returned to SJPdP earlier this month and walked again - only took 3 weeks; 2 to walk and 1 to enjoy Barcelona. Am in Paris airport enroute to Canada at this moment. I had an injury free wonderful 2 weeks of walking (apart from a chest infection that cost me one rest day after consulting with a physician). The Camino definitely provides and it also teaches those who will listen. All the best!
Buen Camino on the trail and in life!!
NancyLee

 

[dcmyntti]

Hi y'all. Been crushing miles on the Camino Frances and a couple of days ago I started having some deep pain in my lower right calf/ankle - the Achilles region. Stretching and flexing the foot became more difficult. Yesterday I took a short day due to the difficulties (13miles) and stopped at Sahagún. Today I saw the massage person at Sahagún and they massaged me and told me to use a support sock thing and to use a cold cream two or three times a day. I took the train to Leon to take some rest days for the foot bc I didn't think I could make it on foot.

My question to you all is, should I see a physical therapist or doctor to get a closer look at the Achilles? I have travel insurance so if it's completely unusable (I don't have the experience with sports injuries to tell if I'm fucked or just need a couple days rest) I would rather know now and try to get treatment (surgery/pt) here, rather than what, flying back to the states and then bankrupting myself with a doctor there?

Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences, if I'm overreacting, and if you have recommendations for what I should do.

Something to be aware of is sometimes people inadvertantly prescribe Ciproflaxin for gut issues while not understanding that the patient is through hiking, on a long hike. One of the main side effects of Cipro is Achilles tendon damage... just be aware. That's all.

 

[Liica]

Hi y'all. Been crushing miles on the Camino Frances and a couple of days ago I started having some deep pain in my lower right calf/ankle - the Achilles region. Stretching and flexing the foot became more difficult. Yesterday I took a short day due to the difficulties (13miles) and stopped at Sahagún. Today I saw the massage person at Sahagún and they massaged me and told me to use a support sock thing and to use a cold cream two or three times a day. I took the train to Leon to take some rest days for the foot bc I didn't think I could make it on foot.

My question to you all is, should I see a physical therapist or doctor to get a closer look at the Achilles? I have travel insurance so if it's completely unusable (I don't have the experience with sports injuries to tell if I'm fucked or just need a couple days rest) I would rather know now and try to get treatment (surgery/pt) here, rather than what, flying back to the states and then bankrupting myself with a doctor there?

Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences, if I'm overreacting, and if you have recommendations for what I should do.

That happened to me once (because I used a lower shoes for the first time). I had to stop for 2 days and put a lot of ice during those days, until the pain ceased. My foot was never the same and I'll never use lower shoes to walk again. That was my experience. Must walk slowly and put minimum effort on that ankle to be able to finish without major problems.

 

[Chiptheshrink]

Had the same issue, but rested and slowed and waited until I got home. Huge mistake. My Achilles had frayed badly and was about to rupture. It took the doctor about 15 seconds to diagnose and an MRI to confirm the damage. It took surgery and 6 months of rehab to get it right. If I hadn't kept pushing with Voltaren and Ibuprofen, it wouldn't have kept fraying, and could have been rehabbed without surgery.

 

[Mycroft]

Please update us on your situation when you can.

FWIW: In November 2023 I made the mistake of continuing on the Norte when I developed left achilles tendonitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis. I tried stopping early a few days. I tried stopping a day to rest. I tried taking a bus and taking a day of rest. I tried taking a bus and resting four days. It got to the point where I could not walk more than a few minutes without developing severe pain, so bused to Santiago instead. When I did walk, I looked like an old cowpoke who had ridden one bronc too many.

When I got home, a fellow at REI in the shoe department, who specialized in advising folks with foot problems, gave me some good advice about a podiatrist from the northwest who has videos on youtube for all kinds of foot problems.
Wide toe box shoes took care of most of the plantar fasciitis after several months, but the tendonitis continued.

I was determined to do a Camino in March 2024 because I had not completed the one in the previous year. The journey was painful, and it was stupid of me to do something too strenuous for my injury. It became clear to me that it would be at least a year before I could do any extended walking.

At home, two months of PT and not walking lessened the pain and I was able to move a bit better. But, even after two months, as soon as I started walking again for short distances, the achilles pain flared. I found that besides the tendonitis, I also had bursitis of the achilles.

I continue my stretches, and slowly things are getting a bit better, but I know I caused more damage to my feet because of my footwear and because I continued walking the Caminos out of pure stubbornness and denial, when my body was telling me to stop.
I pray that at some point in the not-too-distant future I will be able to pilgrimage again.

 

[duncanwhyte]

It's an injury, it needs to heal.
Stop persisting and go home.
Come back when you are ready.

A Camino is a pleasant experience, not the hill you die on.