I will try as much as possible to state all facts and information because I know doctors require all this to give accurate treatments. Please bear with me for this long epistle.

I sustained an injury on Saturday 11th July 2015 at about 2am. I was riding on a motorcycle with my two friends, we were returning as usual from one of our night study sessions as the exams were fast approaching. I ran into a gully that had damaged part of the road. As we approached the narrow end of the gully, the brake pedal got hooked to the earth that formed the wall of the gully. And as the motorcycle moved forward, the brake was pushed away from its position and it hit the rear portion of my right leg. We did not fall as I quickly got control of the motorcycle. I paused a bit to check the injury, it appeared minor and I concluded it was not beyond what would heal off on the application of methylated spirit at home. But on getting home, as I tried to alight, I discovered I had pains from that leg and could no longer stand on that feet. I felt a sudden rush of coldness all over my body and was shaking uncontrollably. My friend quickly got our hostel mate who can as well ride a motorcycle and we headed to the university health care centre.

I was promptly attended to at the health centre. The doctor examined my leg and asked few questions including my brief medical history. I didn’t hesitate to tell her that I don’t take NSAIDs because my doctor advised so due to my stomach ulcer. To my surprise I was given a prescription to go and take a DICLOFENAC injection before my wound can be sutured. I started a mild drama when I got to the nurse due to my phobia for syringe. I refused to take the injection and was asked to proceed to the dressing room. While cleaning the wound, the doctor took a closer gaze and remarked that I should thank God it was superficial. She said she can just dress it and not stitch it, but it was better to stitch so that the site of the injury will have a good appearance on healing. The wound was first infiltrated by a pain relieving injection before it was finally stitched.

After that, I was compelled to take the diclofenac injection I had skipped in the first instance, which I eventually took. I was also scheduled for an anti- tetanus injection later in the day, but I absconded. I was given prescriptions for paracetamol, vitamin c, tramadol and yeast. I was counselled to take lot of fruits. The doctor further said there is no need for me to do an x-ray for which I was initially scheduled, that my injury is superficial. Let me state categorically that immediately after the suturing, I WAS TOLD TO PLACE MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE GROUND AND NOT TO PITY MY LEG. An immediate attempt to do this caused me so much pain and discomfort that I almost fell. So, I discarded their instructions and moved about hopping on my left leg. I was asked to come for dressing every two days. About ten days later, the suture was removed. I was told there was no need to come to the clinic again, that I should buy methylated spirit to clean the injury site daily. I was happy that at last, am free. But, I did not know I was just getting started.

Let me quickly chip, in that at the onset of my injury I could barely turn my feet about my ankle. But, as the injury healed, I was able to this. Furthermore the site of the injury is a location somewhere around the point of insertion of the Achilles tendon into the heel bone. After five weeks of still not being able to walk properly (no plantar flexion strength, no strength at toe-off during walking and weak calf muscle) and with calls from my well-wishers to go to a bigger hospital or to consult a specialist. I headed to the university teaching hospital. At the teaching hospital, I was consulted by a doctor who told me the injury takes time and that my own has not even healed deep within the skin. He said the healing is still superficial and I should give it another three weeks. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO ALWAYS WALK PROPERLY WITH MY NORMAL POSTURE. I told him that I thought he will refer me to the orthopaedic department, so that they can examine it critically. He just laughed it off and asked me what magic I think they will work at ortho. He asked “do you want them to weld it together for you?” he further encouraged me to give it time and walk normally.

After three weeks had passed, I did not have the time to visit the hospital that week. The fifth week was also “ileya festival”. But once I had resumed back to school I headed to the hospital. This time around, I was seen by a female doctor. She first ordered for an x-ray, but later with critical evaluation and a little persuasion from me, she concluded that I do not have a bone injury. So, she wrote a referral letter for me to the orthopaedic department. At the orthopaedic clinic the next day, the doctor asked about pain and all the general medical information, which I quickly supplied. He requested to know the number of weeks for which I immobilized my leg after injury and suturing. I told him it was barely a week. Then he said my leg has been inflamed, I was supposed to give it about six weeks immobilization before using it (He confirmed my fears, because I had learnt previously from Google researches about Achilles tendinitis). The doctor just told me to rest the leg and probably use crutches for a period of one month. He gave me prescriptions for vitamin c and B co.

I actually reduced all activities, barely trekked, and stopped jogging. I observed the swelling was reducing and also the swelling at the point of tenderness for non-insertional tendinitis. But with time I started having pains on standing and even sitting. The tendon was becoming weaker. My question is the treatment for Achilles tendinitis that I read from web pages involves REST, ICE, COMPRESSION AND EXERCISE, all to be applied simultaneously. Am I not supposed to be seeing a physiotherapist too? Why did the doctor not suggest any supporting wears like a removable cast, orthotics and night splints? I feel only rest is not working considering my day to day activities as a student. Please prompt response will be appreciated. I am sorry for my long epistle.

K