Could a Night Brace Alleviate Discomfort Associated with Achilles Tendonitis?
I am a 65-year-old woman residing in the Midwest who was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1989. In subsequent years, I also developed Sjogren's Syndrome and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, both of which often accompany SLE. My daily medications include Plaquenil, Meloxicam, and Amlodipine. Previously, a rheumatologist diagnosed me with tendonitis, initially presenting as "golfer's elbow" followed by "tennis elbow"—neither of which I ever played. Additionally, I've been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome due to my extensive typing at work. Back then, the doctor provided me with wrist and elbow braces before they became available over the counter. Currently, due to not having a rheumatologist, I've begun experiencing a discomfort in my Achilles tendon, located just above my left heel. This pain predominantly flares up after I wake from sleep; with movement, it tends to diminish fairly quickly. I am not a medical professional, yet this sensation seems reminiscent of the symptoms associated with my past tendonitis issues. Searching for a new rheumatologist who accepts my insurance is rather time-consuming, so I’m considering whether utilizing some form of supportive brace might offer relief. Furthermore, should I use this brace during the night while I sleep, or is it more beneficial to wear it during my waking hours when I am active?
Answers (1)
7/12/2025, 8:10:33 PM
OpenHealth AI
Using a night brace for Achilles tendonitis could potentially alleviate your discomfort, particularly since you've described pain that occurs after sleeping and improves with movement. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits, considerations, and actionable steps you can take.
Key Points:
- Potential Relief from a Brace: A night brace may help keep your ankle in a neutral position and provide support, potentially reducing strain on the Achilles tendon during your sleep.
- Wearing Schedule: It's important to consider when to wear the brace to maximize its benefits—whether at night or during the day.
Explanation:
Achilles tendonitis is characterized by inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Your symptoms of stiffness or discomfort in the morning, which improves with activity, align with common experiences of tendonitis.
Using a brace can help:
- Support the tendon: It may limit excessive movement that can lead to further discomfort.
- Maintain a position: Keeping the ankle in a slightly dorsiflexed position (toes pointed upwards) during the night can prevent shortening and stiffness of the tendon, which could be causing morning pain.
Next Steps:
-
Consider Using a Night Brace:
- Look for a brace that supports the ankle without restricting circulation; one designed to hold the foot in a flexed position could be ideal.
- Wear it during the night to see if it helps alleviate morning stiffness.
-
Daytime Use:
- If discomfort persists during daily activities, consider using a brace during the day as well, especially during prolonged walking or standing.
- Make sure the brace is suitable for daytime wear; it should be comfortable and not impede your routine activities.
-
Gentle Stretching and Strengthening:
- Incorporate simple calf stretches and strength exercises to improve flexibility and stability. Stretch your calf muscles by standing on a step and gradually lowering your heels.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a log of when the pain occurs and how effective the brace is in alleviating your symptoms. This diary can be helpful when you eventually consult with a rheumatologist.
-
Consider Ice Application:
- Applying ice to the tendon after activity can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Your proactive approach to finding relief is commendable. Continuing to seek an appropriate rheumatology consultation remains important, especially with your history of connective tissue diseases. Let me know if you need more specific recommendations!
Related Questions
Feeling Desperate About My Health
I’m a 22-year-old male, standing at 1.92 meters, who leads a healthy lifestyle—no smoking, no alcohol, no drugs, and I engage in sports at least twice a week for the past year. Three years back, I underwent a pleurectomy aimed at preventing my lung from collapsing further. Despite this procedure, I've been experiencing a persistent problem: whenever I breathe using my diaphragm, I feel air escaping from the base of my lung. Every visit to the doctor is a frustrating cycle; by the time I undergo scanning, my lung tends to stop leaking air. I’ve attempted to make it release air during these checks, but to no avail. As it stands, my lung is immobilized, with only a small section at the bottom still functional and unfortunately, that area is not accessible. I’m at a loss for how to proceed, as the pain is unbearable. My question is how can I ascertain that air is escaping? I purchased a stethoscope, but primarily, the intense pain makes it clear that something is wrong; I struggle to breathe properly, and there’s also discomfort in my shoulder. This situation has left me feeling incredibly alone and frustrated. It feels like no one takes my condition seriously, not even my parents. Despite having recorded the unusual sounds my lung makes, there still seems to be a lack of willingness to understand my plight.
Concern About Light Bleeding and Masturbation Frequency
I'm experiencing some light red spotting on my underwear today, and it doesn't align with my menstrual cycle. Lately, I've found myself masturbating quite frequently—almost daily—and I’m starting to worry that it might be having negative effects on my body. Normally, I sit in a chair while wearing pants and move my vagina in a front-to-back motion, also engaging my pelvic muscles. Recently, I've noticed that this practice has increased to the point where I no longer feel numbness in the vaginal area; however, it's causing some tingling in my thighs. I'm becoming increasingly anxious that this might lead to damage, especially since it sometimes results in stomach cramps afterward. This morning, I noticed some tightness and slight discomfort in my pelvic region, which did dissipate after a while, but I've never encountered these symptoms before. I'm concerned that the frequency of my actions over the past few months could be straining my muscles and possibly causing the bleeding.
Concerns Regarding Chronic Left Mid-Clavicular Fracture and Shoulder Pain
I’m a 28-year-old male, sharing my experience: about six years ago, I sustained a collarbone fracture in a car accident. Following the collision, I was promptly taken to the emergency department, where they attended to some minor bruises and conducted initial imaging tests. It was confirmed that the left clavicle was fractured, primarily due to the compressive force from the seatbelt during the crash. The doctor at that time advised against surgery, assuring me that the injury would heal adequately on its own. I was given a sling to support my arm and prescribed pain relief medication, which I diligently adhered to. As weeks passed, the discomfort gradually lessened, and I regained my normal range of motion. Fast forward to recently, I had my first X-ray in years for reasons unrelated to the fracture, and I was surprised to find out that it showed a chronic left mid-clavicular fracture. I'm worried about the implications of this finding. Could this condition lead to complications in the future? Was there a possibility that surgical options should have been explored back then? What are the risks or issues that might arise from having a misaligned clavicle long-term? Moreover, I have been noticing some pain in my left upper arm, specifically around the triceps area.
Managing Severe Reactions to Black Henna: Steps to Heal Your Skin
On January 25, I decided to get a dragon design in black henna while in Boracay. Initially, I felt a slight tingling sensation on my skin, which later intensified to a burning feeling especially when exposed to sunlight. Upon returning home, my instinct was to scrub the henna off with soap. Unfortunately, this led to my skin becoming swollen, reddened, itchy, and even blistered. To soothe the irritation, I used a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil to cleanse the area thoroughly, ensuring it was completely dry afterward. Once dried, I applied a thin layer of petroleum jelly. I also began taking antihistamines such as Cetirizine or Loratadine, which provided some relief from the itching. Additionally, I tried to shield the affected area from sun exposure as much as I could. A few days into this routine, I introduced 1% hydrocortisone cream, layering it with petroleum jelly afterward. During my time in the city, I shifted to using Benadryl cream and continued taking antihistamines to diminish the itchiness, but I didn’t have any hydrocortisone cream available. Although the henna stain has nearly faded, the design has left a noticeable imprint on my skin. Once back home, I restarted my treatment by applying 1% hydrocortisone cream followed by a layer of Cetaphil PRO AD Derma Skin Restoring Moisturizer. I’m concerned about potential discoloration on my skin from this reaction. Currently, the skin looks flat and somewhat darker with slight bumps. I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to minimize hyperpigmentation and what treatments I can undertake to support healing. Age: 19 Sex: Female Height: 5’4" Weight: 56 kg Duration of complaint: 2 weeks Location: Shoulder
Should You Be Concerned About Numbness with Bruising After a Week?
I’m a 19-year-old female with no notable medical background or current medications. A week ago, I took a spill while skating and landed hard on my hip, resulting in a large, swollen bump on the back of my upper thigh. Initially, I used the RICE method for two days, and the bruise developed into a dark purple and blue mark, roughly 12 centimeters wide. During the first few days, I experienced discomfort while walking, yet I stayed fairly active by going for walks and dancing. The pain has lessened to just mild soreness when I make sudden movements like jumping. Currently, the bruise has changed to a reddish-purple hue, indicating some healing, but I am still experiencing numbness in the area. While there seems to be a slight improvement in the sensation, it’s hardly noticeable. Do you think I should seek medical advice? By the way, I’m of Indian descent, stand 5'6'' tall, weigh 58 kilograms, and consume alcohol occasionally.