Achilles Tendon Patient
60-year-old female. Generally, fit and well. She does daily Nordic walking for 20 minutes. Regular pool swimmer.
Problem 1:
9 years ago sustained a left knee medial meniscus tear. 7 years ago partial meniscectomy to alleviate severe knee pain, locking and functional problems. In the past 12 months, medial knee pain has increased. Pain on climbing/descending stairs or impact exercises. Sometimes too painful for full weight-bearing. Pain when driving.
Problem 2:
10 years ago sustained damage to the right Achilles tendon. Since then chronic Tendonosis: swelling, stiffness, nodular presentation with thickening and acutely tender from heel to the calf muscle. Periodic treatments by Physiotherapist: deep massage, acupuncture and manipulation. Exercises are done daily.
First Treatment with LymphaTouch
Knee:
SX: PAIN including at rest. Unable to fully weight bear. Pain ascending and descending stairs. Clicking and grainy sensation when mobilising patella over the relaxed joint.
10mins /250mmhg/ intermittent and static (5 mins each) working popliteal nodes, then draining towards Popliteal. Using the second smallest cup (35mm), and the medium cup to work (50mm) around the patella and especially focussing on the medial knee, where oedema palpable and tenderness.
Next day
Pain-free and able to use stairs without pain. No pain when driving. Lasted all day.
Achilles:
Using the second smallest cup (35mm). Intermittent pressure 250mhg. From heel to calf 5 mins. Around medial and lateral malleoli. This area is always very tender to pressure. 5 mins. Achilles is acutely tender to light inward pressure. And feels thickened and stiff.
Next day:
Not as stiff on waking. Easier when Nordic walking in early morning, no increased pain during exercise.
LymphaTouch treatment on left ankle
“Improved symptoms lasted for several weeks.”
When a `flare up’ of Achilles pain and stiffness recurred, treatment repeated as above. 10 minutes, then twisting technique and 200MMHG over and along Achilles from heel base to lower calf. Also 5 mins to lateral and medial malleolar areas with the same cup and pressures.
These areas are often tender and `puffy’ and give the patient sensation of a weak ankle joint. Symptoms resolved, Achilles tendon significantly less tender (pain score reduced from 8 out of 10, 10 being most painful, down to 3 out of 10). Ankle movement is freer and the ankle itself feels more stable.
FEEDBACK:
- Easy to self administer
- Instructions on device easy to follow
- Easy to increase or reduce as needed
- Pressures comfortable and easy to tolerate for the patient
- Visible reduction of medial and lateral malleolar swelling afterwards
- Noticeable free-er ROM and Achilles significantly less tender
- No morning stiffness for several days
“Wish I had access to this regularly. So much more tolerable than the deep friction work and acupuncture that physios have had to use in the past on my Achilles!”
Following treatment:
Lake District for 9 days, daily walks on fairly level ground in sturdy walking boots. Accommodation on 1 level.
- Tendon started to tighten up and become painful over the past week (walking in Lake District). It became nodular again with pain and tightening up into the calf. Treated it as before, yesterday and today it is less tender to pressure, no pain at rest.
- Knee has been relatively pain-free and `more stable’. Return home (2 storey house). Pain immediately on using stairs and appears swollen medially by the next morning. Treated as before: Swelling reduced, and able to manage the stairs without pain for most of the day.
LymphaTouch Device
