RA & Achilles
Has anyone experienced achilles tendinitis associated with their RA or is it nothing to do with RA?
After forty years I can confidently say that I have experienced that and may other things in my chronic illness RA journey. As the joints deteriorate, it makes the muscles work harder and sometimes in ways that they weren't designed to do, depending on your body, and that can lead to all sorts of other musculoskeletal issues. It is frustrating, I know, but just know you aren't alone. Keep on keepin' on, DPM 
Hi,
! As Dan already mentioned, dealing with achilles tendonitis is not uncommon for folks living with RA. Another one of our members, Kelly Mack, has written about her experience with achilles tendonitis -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/ankle-tendonitis. You're definitely not alone in this!
Best, Erin, Team Member.Thank you for your replies. I was wondering because over recent weeks my ankles have been swelling, sometimes symmetrically and sometimes alternately. My right ankle has been sore for months and swollen at the back above my heel. My heel itself is sore too. I felt it was all related to my RA (I've had it for over 30 years) but at clinic last week the nursed dismissed all notion it has anything to do with RA because my ESR has come down since being on Biologics she said it's Achilles Tendonitis not related to the RA. I said why is my left ankle swelling too then? She didn't really give me an answer she just got frustrated with me. 🤷♀️
, I think checking in with your doctor is a wise move. Whether the issues you are experiencing are related to your RA or not (and they very well could be), you deserve to have the symptoms addressed and treated!
Best, Erin, Team Member.
PS. I found Kelly Macks account interesting with similar symptoms as me with the tendonitis. Thinking I should maybe get in touch with Doctor about it after reading her experience.
That sounds like a smart idea! Reaching out to your doctor could help you get ahead of it before it gets worse. Let us know how it goes if you decide to! -Latoya (Team Member) 
Hi
. I'm just now seeing this thread and as I was reading I was thinking "Kelly has some experience here that might be helpful" (I happen to be her husband). It was interesting that it was her podiatrist, as opposed to an orthopedist, who was the most help with the tendonitis. I want to mention that besides shoes with better support, orthotics, and PT, another big help has been aqua-therapy. Exercises in the pool take a lot of the pressure off of the ankles. Please feel free to ask additional questions (I can ask Kelly her thoughts as well). Hope you can get some relief soon. Best, Richard (Team Member)
