[plgolfer]

mb6606 is right, this is a very correctable condition if you understand the origins of the problem. First, though, is to eliminate some more serious structural issues than just muscle confusion. From that point it is just a matter of better negotiating the tensions of the hips and legs that contribute to the symptom, in this case plgolfers formidable discomfort; for others the symptom might have manifested differently.

plgolfer, I would also like to know if you have pronation in your foot placement. I am sure you have discussed much of this with your PT so let's work with what you know and then make applications of good information specific to your case.

Vickie

Hi Vickie,
I am actually plgolfer's wife, and I forgot to sign my name which is Odile. Sorry for the confusion.

Vickie, I am so glad to read the replies to my letter. This is really a great site, referred to me by my husband. Already I am feeling relieved that there could be a solution. So to answer your questions:
How is your weight?
I am 5ft 7 high and weigh 63 kg.

What types of therapy did you use and for what duration?
Firstly I have had this problem since 5 years.
I do have the left foot a bit shorter since my childhood and my hips are not level. My feet are very arched, and I am not sure that I have pronation in my foot placement. The doctor says that I have short tendons. I have been wearing heel support orthotics to help relieve my tendons. The pain is not severe and I feel my ankles stiff out of bed in the morning. Pain is not due to sudden movement. but will appear gradually from midday to end of day. I can feel my tendons specially the left, are hot and swollen. When I touch them it's painful. I have a knot on my left tendon.No popping or cracking sound in the tendons. No use of natural products or arnica.

MRI reports "mild fusiform thickening of both Achilles tendons with no significant intra substance signal changes. Appearances are consistent with chronic bilateral tendonitis, On the left, the maximum thickness of the tendons measures 9 mm and on the right 7.5mm. ( The normal values range from 4 to 7mm.) A small amount of free fluid is noted posterior to both talar bones suggestive of bursitis. No othe significant abnormality, no osteochondral lesion and the othe tendons around the ankle joints appear intact."

Therapy have been:

1 Using ice everyday and antiinflammatory gel. This has been quite useful in reducing the pain.

2 Oral antiinflammatory medicines, and acupuncture.

3 1st shot of cortisone in 2002, and the tendonitis seemed to have been resolved.

4 In 2006, tendonitis reappears and I started the same process as in 1,2 above, and I had 15 massage and ultrasound treatments of my ankles. That seemed to work for the right ankle but it was not efficient for the peritendonitis of the left.

5 In December 2006, I decided to have a second shot of cortisone injection. I had 5 weeks rest from golf. The pain disappeared. Inflammation was gone @80%. But now since end of March, the tendonitis is back and its again the left ankle which is more swollen.

I realise that this is a long reading for you. Thanks in advance for your patience and dedication.

Odile