a while ago I complained here about my Achille's tendons -I broke one, then afterwards had severe problems with boths- I thought that was because I am not *that* young and that I am not a relaxed person.
and now a youngster in our group (age 13) is having troubles (big troubles: the doctor says 3 months without uniing!)
So I am wondering: is it possible this is a uni-specific disease? what may cause that? bad position of the foot? constant micro-movements while trying to regain balance? stress?
That's horrific! I can't even go three days (... hours ...) without uniing. My achilles tendon feels a bit off from time to time, but I always put it down to stiffness. I stretch before doing any freestyle practice, because those skills seem to be the ones that induce uncomfortableness. Stretching the tendon (and the rest of my leg) as well as doing a warm-up ride (some idles, one footing, a lap around my block) keeps everything great, and I usually do a cooldown to avoid stiffness after.
I'm pretty sure it's the stress of stopping, putting all the pressure on the back foot to stop the wheel completely. It's only my left one that gets that discomfort too, and that's the one I use almost exclusively to stop (even though I should be using my non-dominant foot equally, oh bad habits bad habits 😄)
I've had knee problems the last month or so, and if possible, see a sports injuries physiotherapist who will tell you how to work on the problem, and improve riding technicque and complimentary exercises. They will probably give you more optimistic/realistic timescales. The physio I saw yesterday was very good, and even assessed my riding technique. Doctors just check you haven't broken anything & tell you to do nothing for an excessive amount of time! surely 3 months without uniing will just mean that the problem will re-occur? good luck with yours, and the 13-y-o's tendons!
Mike
edit - equally useful alternative suggestion to learning to coast to solve the situation, would be to ride pedalling with your hands while sitting on your head.
thanks to all who replied thanks for the warming/flex suggestions
this very saturday I had a problem while missing an easy bump in the woods and my right tendon overstreched and now hurts.
Klaas Bil said:
* Another suggestion might be to place your feet more forward on the pedals. That will decrease the forces on the Achilles tendons, I think. *
there have been posts about the position on the pedals: I always have my pedals under the arch of my foot, and the boy who got hurt has not. I suggested that he put his foot more forward but wasn't 100% sure this was a good advice;
