I'm 56 and reasonably slim and fit. 

 

About 6 weeks ago I noticed a hard knot in my heel cord on my left foot, about mid way between heel and lower calf.  The area was generally sore to the touch, and would be particularly stiff at night and early morning.  I never lost any function.  It all began when I upped my running intensity, and included a bit of leaping.  The other foot was pretty sore too.  Even in my twenties I had sore tendons after football.

 

Now, my feet are quite healthy, as I have been resting up, wearing house shoes, foam heel inserts sometimes, and been using a brace of sorts like a bandage.  But the aforementioned achilles has been very slow to heal.  In the mornings it is actually worst, and feels like a hard lump in the cord.  Yet if I just walk about, or have a foot bath then that lump is hardly there at times.  I am also moving much more freely.  I do heel dips on stairs and that seems to really help.

 

I wondered if anyone has had similar before, and if there is anything I can do to get rid of the lump, which I am beginning to think may be bursitis.  Also wondering if I should get it checked over.

 

 

Not knowing what it is, I can't advise.

 

Yes, you should have it checked out by an ortho.

I guess so.. just seems over the top for what is likely tendonitis.

I finally got round to seeing the doctor as my achilles issue has still not cleared (It was just as well I did because my BP was very high but I'll save that for another thread).

 

The doctor at Thaksin Hospital did a standard examination, and very quickly declared that it was tendonitis. I asked whether an ultrasound was necessary and he said no.  He advised stretching exercises for the tendon, and absolutely no nicotine, which he seemed to think highly detrimental to both the achilles and my blood pressure (Sheryl did say the same).

 

If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful.  The foot is recovering and I can now run without an adverse reaction.

Eccentric exercises have been proven to work:

 

Lot of youtube vids. I think rolling is good too.

 

 

The advice you were given by the doctor is sound.

 

Suggest you follow it.