ACHILLIES TENDON PAIN | Arthritis Information

Good morning everybody. My first time posting here. Have been reading postings for awhile. I was wondering if anyone is bothered by pain in ankles and achillies tendons. I have been suffering for weeks now and can't seem to get in clamed down. They are swollen and tender, red and painful. I have used ice, heat, stretching, rested them nothing seems to be working. I also had an Orencia treatment and thought for sure that would help. I have been reading about other conditions on top of RA. I guess another thing is that when I was reading about that it also mentioned problems with eyes and inflamation which also seems to be flared up. I didn't put the two things together. I went to eye Dr. he gave me steroid drops. Thanks for listening. Hope to hear some feedback. Have a great day.

Laura

Hi Laura

Welcome.

I have never experienced the ankle and achillies tendon pain. Bottom of feet pain yup. So sorry I can't be of much help. But I do hope yours gets to feeling better.

Learn something new everyday. I didn't know about eye inflamation. My eyes have been bugging me on and off for a couple months. would have never linked it to RA. I am glad to hear you got some eye drops. I hope they work.

I am sure someone smarter on the subject will stop by with some good advice. So hang in there.

Hi - I can't comment but I wanted to say 'Hi' and welcome!

Hugs,

Pip

Hi Laura and welcome. Ankle swelling, Achilles tendonitis and toe pain was one of the first areas of inflammation and pain for me. I have psoriatic arthritis along with RA and PA affects the tendons. Have you talked with your RD about this and how long ago was the Orencia treatment? LindyLindy,

Thanks for posting. I have been on Orencia for 16 months. It worked good in the begining along with methotrexatebut he took me off mtx in April and have been spiralling ever since. He jsut put me on arava this is my 2nd month. I can't tell if it is helping or not . I just don't get any releif from this foot pain. I am due another treatment Aug. 18 and also see the Dr. I hope then he can inject them or something. I also take Plaquenil, relafen, folic acid, synthroid, I have hoshimotos, ra and goodness me what ever overlap stuff to come. My wrist are also in alot of pain but not swelling like my ankles. thanks again and hope you have a good day.

LBarrett.. glad you posted! There is alot of information here to absorb and read...

I didnt' have achilles issues but definitely foot issues..

and I have the very dry sand paper eyes warranting drops at least 4X a day and Restaisis 2X.. it does make a huge difference so use what the dr gave you every time you should dose.

I don't know anything about Orencia...

Hope your flare ends quickly.

Hi LBarrett.

I did have some tight heal cord issues, and ankle probs that i went to a podiatrist, or foot/ankle ortho about..Sometimes orthotics help this.
Like the others said mention this to your rheummie, and see if they think you need to see a foot doc alsoWelcome Laura- I also have no knowledge of achilles pain- sorry.Hello Laura,

I have had frequent problems with my achilles tendon and actually ended up rupturing the tendon. It can take up to 8 to 10 weeks for stubborn cases of tendonitis to resolve. Has your doctor mentioned physical therapy? Ultrasound was a big help for me when I had my first bout of tendonitis.

Aimee is right about seeing a podiatrist. They can help with lifts/ orthotics in your shoes. The one thing you should avoid is cortisone shots. You should know that steroid injections are not recommended for achilles problems and may actually increase the risk of a tendon rupture.

Here is a link from the podiatry channel that might help :)

http://www.podiatrychannel.com/achillestendinitis/diagnosis.shtml

Take care,

Lynn

Hi Laura, sorry about your pain and hope you can get some relief and fast! I had/have problems with my ankles, toes, and was dx with tarsal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and I have extremely high arches. The only relief I had for a while was pain meds. It does take awhile to get over it. Like someone said physical therapy is good and I use icy/hot all over my feet. Opens your sinuses too. LOL Mine finally are feeling better but flare up when the weather is humid/rainy/snowy/etc.

I hope you feel better soon. Keep us informed!

take care

Just a update on how things are going. I am still in pain but pulled out my handy little stretching brace which is not comfortable. I see my Dr. on the 18th and we will disscuss whats going on. I am also due my Orencia treatment but think we will forgo that cause I don't think it is working. We talked about Remicade, cause I don't want to give myself shots. I am such a whimp about shots. I appreciate your post and info you guys sent. I hope everyone has a great day.

Laura, has your doctor mentioned Ankylosing Spondylitis instead of RA? Its acts like RA but you have arthritis in your back and especially your ankles. The eye problems are also common with AS. IF you have any more eye problems please see an eye doctor to prevent damage.

My guess is that the orencia is no longer helping you. Be careful with your ankles, if you over use them you can cause permanent damage. Try orthodics with a well in the heel, and do not go barefoot--it makes it worse. New Balance sneakers are built pretty good for support for ankles.

At least your appointment is soon.

Birdgirl,

I have been reading about AS but no my Dr. hasn't metioned that before. I see him on the 18 and when I tell him about these new things happening maybe he will check that. My heels and achillies tendons are just flared right up also I have sveral eye problems and have been using drops from my eye Dr. I also am having terrible lower back pain but not as bad as the middle of my back near my ribs. I also have terrible chest pains sometimes think I am having a heart attack. I have been working a new job helping my brother who is a chef and I tell you I don't think I am going to be able to do Catering much longer. I was on my feet today doing a job for about 14 hrs. I got through it with the help of pain meds. Sometimes I feel like I just give up if it is not one thing it is another but then i look around and think you know I am blessed could be alot worse.So i am not going to complain. Thanks for the posting and I will get him to check it out for me. Have a good night

My experience: My ankles, specifically Achilles tendons, were stiff and sore for about a year before one of them ruptured. I understand that my RA likely damaged the tendons. Surgery repaired the rupture but complications of an MRSA infection required a second surgery, and scar tissue from the surgeries now requires a third plastic surgery to remove it (I'm saying NO for now). Post-surgical swelling still remains 6 months later.

After the surgery heals, you're supposed to do PT esp. stretching exercises, but for me, this kept causing the incision to re-open. It's been a nightmare, which I sincerely hope won't be the case for you. Wish I had something more positive to add!

Cat E,

I am so sorry for the trouble you have had. It sounds like you have suffered tremendously. I don't know what it is about the Achillies area but I know that I am in so much pain. It is actually my whole ankle that just throbs. It is making me sick all over from the pain. We are supposed to talk about switching from Orencia to Remicade on my next visit. It all started when he took me off Methorexate. I have now been taking Arava for 2 months and so far I can't tell it is working. I had to work yesterday I do catering and was on my feet for about 14 hrs. I am paying for it today. I have this brace thing that I wear that stretches it for me it keeps my foot at like a 90 degree angle it really helps but it is only for a short period and it is also painful to wear. I just want to get this flare under control and feel ok again. Don't we all??? Well hope you will have a good weekend. Thanks for posting.