Fifty Plus (50+) - Ankle Issues

50+ Colleagues,

Anyone had a severely damaged or ruptured posterior tibial tendon? I'm not enjoying this one bit. Walking at work is a chore, coachng soccer miserable and running a triathlon again just a hope.

Standing in the pedals on a climb is also a no-go right now.

If you had the problem, did you treat it? If you ignored it, how is your ankle now? If you had surgery, was it reasonably successful?

Thanks,

TysonB
Cushing, Oklahoma

A few years ago I did some posterior tibial tendon damage to myself, described, if memory serves as a minor tear. The orthopedist put me in a stiff nasty boot that extended way up toward the knee for a few weeks that seemed forever with orders not to even think about taking so much as a single step without the boot in place. With a couple weeks of gentle exercises once the boot was off, everything was back to normal with no problems since.

Surgical intervention was presented as a likely unsatisfactory last resort. I think that was because the tendon was not completely torn. I could still arch my foot but only with major discomfort.

In general, I'd ask your medical care provider for a referral to a conservative orthopedist and be as careful as possible not to do any further damage in the meantime.

Thanks for the reply. That's the kind of information that I sought.

My orthopedic surgeon is a riding partner and is very conservative, too. He does some sports repairs and lots of knee and hip stuff. He is reluctantly leaning toward surgery, but certainly not pushing it or over-selling it.

Truly, if I was like 98% of the American population, I would just live with it. But, I'd like to do at least a few more 1/2 Ironman tri's. I'm just not sure it's worth the money and the hassle for surgery and the long rehab thereafter.

Anyone else with these issues?

Thanks again, gcottay.

TysonB