(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 ).

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[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.