Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Hi I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big toe that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger problem is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon behind the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of the heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely and feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound familiar to any of you and what have you done or been told to do. I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I do stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, making walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this is common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my ability to walk from chair to chair in the house. I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Laurie, I had some issues with the tendon with my ankle. I could not pull my foot up as it was too tight. I still have droop to the foot/ankle, but this was different. I just did the stretches that we were working on in PT and ones that I saw used with the students I was working with. It slowly got better for me, but that was a good six or seven years ago. I think the stretches are a good thing to be doing. I hope it starts to help. If not, you may want to consult your doctor to see if there are any ideas. I understand your not wanting to lose any walking ability that you have. Smiles, a On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 09:19:53 -0400 Laurie Fitzgerald laurie.fitzgerald@...> writes: Hi I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big toe that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger problem is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon behind the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of the heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely and feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound familiar to any of you and what have you done or been told to do. I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I do stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, making walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this is common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my ability to walk from chair to chair in the house. I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 As strange as this may sound/seem, Dr. Baker's therapist had me get some ankle weights and they have me lay face own on my bed with my feet over the edge of the bed with anywhere from a one pound weight around my leg just above my ankle and lay there for approx five to ten minutes (or as long as I can) with as much wight as I can tolerate and it is helpng my legs and I am now able to bend my right knee some. Of course, I go weekly or bi-weekly (depending on the pre-cert I get from Cigna). They even pre-certed my hospital stay daily and I was in what they called Intermediate CCU. Insurance companies? ??? I don't know if this would be of help to you or not the weights my Grandson got a Wal-Mart are sand filled and start one pound and go to ten pounds. Just a thought Dolores a C Koch kckoch76@...> wrote:Laurie, I had some issues with the tendon with my ankle. I could not pull my foot up as it was too tight. I still have droop to the foot/ankle, but this was different. I just did the stretches that we were working on in PT and ones that I saw used with the students I was working with. It slowly got better for me, but that was a good six or seven years ago. I think the stretches are a good thing to be doing. I hope it starts to help. If not, you may want to consult your doctor to see if there are any ideas. I understand your not wanting to lose any walking ability that you have. Smiles, a On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 09:19:53 -0400 Laurie Fitzgerald laurie.fitzgerald@...> writes: Hi I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big toe that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger problem is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon behind the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of the heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely and feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound familiar to any of you and what have you done or been told to do. I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I do stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, making walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this is common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my ability to walk from chair to chair in the house. I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Laurie, I've had something similar off and on for years where I've been unable to straighten my legs when lying flat for a period of weeks or months at a time, though I'm not sure the tigtening is in the tenden in my case. It feels more like muscle contractures to me. My friend with FSH muscular dystrophy has a lot of muscle contractures and physical therapy helps reduce them. What I have done is gradually stretch my legs down without forcing them, and this has eventually resolved it for me. Barbara > Hi > > I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles > shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big toe > that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger problem > is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon behind > the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of the > heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely and > feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound familiar to > any of you and what have you done or been told to do. > > I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common > with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I do > stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, making > walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this is > common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and > walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my ability > to walk from chair to chair in the house. > > I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is > getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Delores Thanks, that is a good idea. I will try it. I usually use two cans of veggies, soup or whatever in a tube sock pinned together at the top. I can change the cans to change the weight and they drape nicely if that is what you want them to do. laurie > As strange as this may sound/seem, Dr. Baker's therapist had me get some ankle weights and they have me lay face own on my bed with my feet over the edge of the bed with anywhere from a one pound weight around my leg just above my ankle and lay there for approx five to ten minutes (or as long as I can) with as much wight as I can tolerate and it is helpng my legs and I am now able to bend my right knee some. Of course, I go weekly or bi-weekly (depending on the pre-cert I get from Cigna). They even pre-certed my hospital stay daily and I was in what they called Intermediate CCU. Insurance companies? ??? I don't know if this would be of help to you or not the weights my Grandson got a Wal-Mart are sand filled and start one pound and go to ten pounds. Just a thought Dolores > > a C Koch kckoch76@...> wrote:Laurie, > I had some issues with the tendon with my ankle. I could not > pull my foot up as it was too tight. I still have droop to the > foot/ankle, but this was different. I just did the stretches that we > were working on in PT and ones that I saw used with the students I was > working with. It slowly got better for me, but that was a good six or > seven years ago. > I think the stretches are a good thing to be doing. I hope it > starts to help. If not, you may want to consult your doctor to see if > there are any ideas. I understand your not wanting to lose any walking > ability that you have. > > Smiles, > a > > On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 09:19:53 -0400 Laurie Fitzgerald > laurie.fitzgerald@...> writes: > Hi > > I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles > shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big toe > that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger problem > is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon behind > the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of the > heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely and > feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound familiar to > any of you and what have you done or been told to do. > > I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common > with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I do > stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, making > walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this is > common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and > walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my ability > to walk from chair to chair in the house. > > I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is > getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > laurie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Barbara I'm glad you have found that it resolves as that is encouraging. I have to lay in bed in the morning and bit by bit straighten that leg. When I stand up from sitting with my legs out, I have to stand and gradually put weight on them before I can walk. I think I would fall if I didn't do this. The muscles in my calves and theighs are also tight and I am getting cramps all over (more than usual). I had my lytes and magnesium checked when at the ER and they are okay. It may just be the heat stress, so I may have to lay in bed and read more (yaaahh). laurie > Laurie, I've had something similar off and on for years where I've > been unable to straighten my legs when lying flat for a period of > weeks or months at a time, though I'm not sure the tigtening is in > the tenden in my case. It feels more like muscle contractures to me. > My friend with FSH muscular dystrophy has a lot of muscle > contractures and physical therapy helps reduce them. What I have > done is gradually stretch my legs down without forcing them, and > this has eventually resolved it for me. > > Barbara > > > > Hi > > > > I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles > > shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big > toe > > that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger > problem > > is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon > behind > > the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of > the > > heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely > and > > feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound > familiar to > > any of you and what have you done or been told to do. > > > > I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common > > with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I > do > > stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, > making > > walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this > is > > common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and > > walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my > ability > > to walk from chair to chair in the house. > > > > I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is > > getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > > > laurie > > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their own treatment. > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Reading is good medicine. I can vouch for that. Have you tried gentle massage? I hope it resolves for you. B > Re: Re: muscle contractions > > Barbara > > I'm glad you have found that it resolves as that is encouraging. I > have to lay in bed in the morning and bit by bit straighten that leg. > When I stand up from sitting with my legs out, I have to stand and > gradually put weight on them before I can walk. I think I would fall > if I didn't do this. The muscles in my calves and theighs are also > tight and I am getting cramps all over (more than usual). I had my > lytes and magnesium checked when at the ER and they are okay. It may > just be the heat stress, so I may have to lay in bed and read more > (yaaahh). > > laurie > > > > Laurie, I've had something similar off and on for years where I've > > been unable to straighten my legs when lying flat for a period of > > weeks or months at a time, though I'm not sure the tigtening is in > > the tenden in my case. It feels more like muscle contractures to me. > > My friend with FSH muscular dystrophy has a lot of muscle > > contractures and physical therapy helps reduce them. What I have > > done is gradually stretch my legs down without forcing them, and > > this has eventually resolved it for me. > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > Hi > > > > > > I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles > > > shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big > > toe > > > that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger > > problem > > > is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon > > behind > > > the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of > > the > > > heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely > > and > > > feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound > > familiar to > > > any of you and what have you done or been told to do. > > > > > > I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common > > > with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I > > do > > > stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, > > making > > > walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this > > is > > > common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and > > > walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my > > ability > > > to walk from chair to chair in the house. > > > > > > I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is > > > getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > > > > > laurie > > > > > > > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are > not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is entirely > responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their responsibility to > evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding > changes in their own treatment. > > > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Barbara I have only tried massaging myself and that sets up all kinds of cramps so I have left that alone, although it does sound good. laurie > Reading is good medicine. I can vouch for that. Have you tried gentle > massage? > > I hope it resolves for you. > B > > > Re: Re: muscle contractions > > > > Barbara > > > > I'm glad you have found that it resolves as that is encouraging. I > > have to lay in bed in the morning and bit by bit straighten that leg. > > When I stand up from sitting with my legs out, I have to stand and > > gradually put weight on them before I can walk. I think I would fall > > if I didn't do this. The muscles in my calves and theighs are also > > tight and I am getting cramps all over (more than usual). I had my > > lytes and magnesium checked when at the ER and they are okay. It may > > just be the heat stress, so I may have to lay in bed and read more > > (yaaahh). > > > > laurie > > > > > > > Laurie, I've had something similar off and on for years where I've > > > been unable to straighten my legs when lying flat for a period of > > > weeks or months at a time, though I'm not sure the tigtening is in > > > the tenden in my case. It feels more like muscle contractures to me. > > > My friend with FSH muscular dystrophy has a lot of muscle > > > contractures and physical therapy helps reduce them. What I have > > > done is gradually stretch my legs down without forcing them, and > > > this has eventually resolved it for me. > > > > > > Barbara > > > > > > > > > > Hi > > > > > > > > I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles > > > > shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big > > > toe > > > > that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger > > > problem > > > > is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon > > > behind > > > > the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of > > > the > > > > heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely > > > and > > > > feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound > > > familiar to > > > > any of you and what have you done or been told to do. > > > > > > > > I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common > > > > with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I > > > do > > > > stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, > > > making > > > > walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this > > > is > > > > common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and > > > > walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my > > > ability > > > > to walk from chair to chair in the house. > > > > > > > > I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is > > > > getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > > > > > > > laurie > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained > herein are > > not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is > entirely > > responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their > responsibility to > > evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their physicians > regarding > > changes in their own treatment. > > > > > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one > is > > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the > attack. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Hope it helps, I also sometimes rub my legs with somthing I get from Avon called Celadrin Pain Relief Cream and they also have the same thing for feet. I swear I don't sell Avon it's just something I tried orignaly for my feet and then I got some for my legs also to give that a try. they have a money back guarantee so I figured I wouldn't be out anything if it didn't help, but it did so then I got some for my legs too. It also doesn't smell that bad. Thant's a plus in itself (ha) I'm awfully tired this evening but I had an appt this afternoon, plus went to grocery store and the went to eat lunch in between then did a load oa laundry when I came home. Too much in one day for an old lady (ha) Dolores Laurie Fitzgerald laurie.fitzgerald@...> wrote:Delores Thanks, that is a good idea. I will try it. I usually use two cans of veggies, soup or whatever in a tube sock pinned together at the top. I can change the cans to change the weight and they drape nicely if that is what you want them to do. laurie > As strange as this may sound/seem, Dr. Baker's therapist had me get some ankle weights and they have me lay face own on my bed with my feet over the edge of the bed with anywhere from a one pound weight around my leg just above my ankle and lay there for approx five to ten minutes (or as long as I can) with as much wight as I can tolerate and it is helpng my legs and I am now able to bend my right knee some. Of course, I go weekly or bi-weekly (depending on the pre-cert I get from Cigna). They even pre-certed my hospital stay daily and I was in what they called Intermediate CCU. Insurance companies? ??? I don't know if this would be of help to you or not the weights my Grandson got a Wal-Mart are sand filled and start one pound and go to ten pounds. Just a thought Dolores > > a C Koch kckoch76@...> wrote:Laurie, > I had some issues with the tendon with my ankle. I could not > pull my foot up as it was too tight. I still have droop to the > foot/ankle, but this was different. I just did the stretches that we > were working on in PT and ones that I saw used with the students I was > working with. It slowly got better for me, but that was a good six or > seven years ago. > I think the stretches are a good thing to be doing. I hope it > starts to help. If not, you may want to consult your doctor to see if > there are any ideas. I understand your not wanting to lose any walking > ability that you have. > > Smiles, > a > > On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 09:19:53 -0400 Laurie Fitzgerald > laurie.fitzgerald@...> writes: > Hi > > I have a question for all of you. Have any of you had your muscles > shorten or contract and stay there. I have had a tendon to the big toe > that has been this way for years and no big deal. The bigger problem > is the muscles on the back side of my leg. My hamstring (tendon behind > the knee) and heel cord (tendon at heel that attaches to bottom of the > heel) be tight. I am now unable to straighten my knee completely and > feel the heel cord tighten with each step. Does this sound familiar to > any of you and what have you done or been told to do. > > I use to work with physically impaired children and this was common > with those with cerebral palsy and we did stretching exercises. I do > stretching everyday and it seems to be making the pain worse, making > walking difficult. I have been stretching more gently. I know this is > common when in a wheelchair all the time, but I am out of mine and > walking more than in the past. I really don't want to loose my ability > to walk from chair to chair in the house. > > I have an appointment with my MDA neuro on the 5th, but this is > getting worse by the day. Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > laurie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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