For the second week in a row, I've had a strange popping sensation in my left achilles tendon the day after the long run. Last week it hurt a little when it "popped", but not much. This week it doesn't hurt just feels weird. Although now that I'm trying to notice it, it does feel a bit achy, but only very slightly. Both times, I felt no pain at all when running, and did not notice anything until the next day. Mostly, the "popping" happens going up or down stairs, not when walking normally. This has not happened after the short weekday runs, so far.

What I want to know is: is this something I should be concerned or take precautions about?

I stretch when I finish running, but don't really warm up. Just go.
I have new shoes about 3 1/2 weeks old, size 10, Brooks Ariel with a beefy insert. I had really bad shin splints until I got these, now my shins feel great.
I'm 5'8", and weigh 162.
I run mostly and I've been running since last September, though I did not run longer distances than 3 miles (9mi/week) before starting this program.
I'm training for the full Marathon and, of course, the half next week.

Any advice is appreciated, I just don't want to ignore something that can turn into a more serious injury.

Thanks,
Dawn

MamaDawn
A few more questions will help here:
Has this foot/ankle ever been broken, surgically altered, or immobilized for an extended time period? Have you had any substantial injuries to your knees, hips, and/or low back? Do you wear prescription orthotics?

I look forward to your response.

Dr. Greg

Hi Dr. Greg,

I sprained this ankle over 10 yrs ago, no problems since. Being an invincible college kid, I was walking around on it far sooner than was smart. But since then, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (2000) and Continental Divide Trail (2002) in running shoes which actually seemed to strengthen both my ankles significantly. Before the hikes both my ankles, which had been sprained at different times, hurt a little on uneven terrain.

No back or knee injuries ever. I tell people my knees were not built for show, but for durability! I did have some tendonitis in both knees during the long hikes but no severe injuries and no problems since.

I don't wear prescription orthotics.

Don't know if this has any impact, but I do have vericose veins in both legs. On my left leg they also are around the inside of my ankle and achilles tendon. They don't cause me any pain. And there is no pain to the touch on my tendon.

Thanks,
Dawn

MamaDawn
Can you feel exactly where on the tendon it is popping? On the inside? Outside? Middle? Is is near the ankle bone (calcaneus) or up higher than that? If so, how far up?

Lots of questions, I know...but it helps to build a better picture since I can't see you!

Let me know,
Dr. Greg

It seems to be right in the middle, higher than the ankle by about 2 inches, or three fingers away. Also, after much practice trying to get it to happen, maybe a bad idea, it only happens when am bearing weight while straightening my knees. For example, I squat putting my weight onto the balls of my feet then straighten my legs. The "pop" happens when my knees are nearly straight.

When going down stairs, I would step down onto the balls of my feet, and bend the knee. The "pop" would happen at the beginning of the knee bend. And, of course, opposite of that going up stairs. But, it already seems to be improving today and doesn't happen on the stairs.

Hope that description helps.

Thanks,
Dawn

MamaDawan
Hmmmm. Interesting. I like that things are feeling better. When it comes to exactly what it is....gosh, at this point I'd have to evaluate it in person. If I were to guess, a couple things come to mind; first, I would go with the musculature of the posterior compartment of the lower extremity being very tight....to the point, the tendons are actually "slipping" over each other, creating a friction rub and "popping". To address this directly, there is a stretch we show every weekend. It looks like a calf stretch against a curb, only you place the ball of your foot in contact with the curb. This causes the toes to extend. Next you bend your knee "into the stretch". If you are flexible enough, step up onto the curb with the other foot and hold. The ball of the foot must be in contact with the curb and the toes must extend back.

The other consideration is that the ankle/foot itself is "funky" and the joints are cavitating (popping) only it feels as though it’s popping higher up the leg.


Try the stretch described here and keep us in the loop as to your progress. If things get worse, come see us.

Dr. Greg