Insertional Achilles Tendinitis (Part 2)

[jwerges]

I have been running barefoot or in Luna Sandals for over two years. I started slowly and have been able to make the transition from Hokas to Altras and then to bare/sandals fairly easily, and even completed a 50k trail run wearing Luna Sandals in May of 2018. In October of 2018 I started feeling a sharp stabbing pain in the back of my right heel when I ran. At first it was not too bad and I was able to keep running, but eventually it got so bad that I had to stop running completely and had trouble even walking. I finally went to an orthopedic doctor who told me I had insertional achilles tendinitis. He offered to refer me to a sports medicine doctor but I wanted to wait and see if it would heal on its own if I didn't run. Fast forward to January of 2019 and it is still not healed. It is a little better as I can run short distances barefoot with minor discomfort. I am hesitant to spend money to visit a specialist who could just end up telling me I need to go back to Hokas, or to purchase $300.00 orthotics. So my questions are these:

Has anyone had similar injuries and how did they cope?

Does anyone know of a doctor in the KCMO area that would support minimalist running?

I am sorry for the rambling post but I am desperate. I just want to be able to run pain free...that's why I started running barefoot in the first place. Thanks in advance!

 

[migangelo]

IS KCMO = Kansas City, Missouri? If so there are many docs there and I'm sure some are rehab focused chiros. A rehab or sports chiro will look at your whole body, not the site of complaint. That needs to be ruled out but if no injury it should be a quick look.

It could be a number of problems such as lack of mobility in the ankle. Squatting with your feet on the floor will tell you if that's the problem. If not the ankle the muscles. Did they hurt when you squatted? CAn you touch up the chain without pain? Gastroc and soleus? Is your knee traveling past your toes when you squat? that will strain those muscles also. Are your hips mobile enough? Do you have enough extension in your thoracic spine?

So much to look at i can't even name it all! I need some energy for my drive home. check those out. If you need help finding a doc let me know.