I have an Achilles Tendon injury. There is pain and fusiform swelling on my right foot. I work out regularly at the gym, and have taken the past few days off to rest the injury. What excersizes can I do to continue my workout, but not exacerbate the injury.?? Help!

Howdy and welcome.

Good question. The first thing you have to realize is that the fusiform swelling is 99% suggestive of internal tearing or what we'd call micro tearing of the tendon. The micro tears of the tendon create a stress riser that is a weak point in the tendon. And that's why many cases of chronic Achilles tendonitis progress to a complete rupture.....be careful, OK?

Exercise? Go slow. Passive and active stretching is OK as long as you just take it easy. Passive meaning to stretch while you're off the foot and active meaning stretching while standing.

The biggest thing that'd help at this stage is to elevate the heel. Be sure to either wear a shoe with a wedged sole or something with a heel lift. No going barefoot or wearing flats. OK?

Jeff