Achilles Tight and Painful

Question
Hello: I am 62 and trying to get back into running again after quitting in 1995.I have been doing pretty well,but a couple of runs ago,for no apparent reason,my left Achilles became very tender and stiff after I returned home from a run.The right Achilles is and has always been fine.Tonite,I was out again,and had to stop half way through my training,as my left calf was very stiff,and the Achilles was getting tight and painful again.What would you suggest? Thanks!

Answer
Great question Michael!  Remember pain is your friend.  DO NOT IGNORE IT!  That is my first advice.  My second advice is to be evaluated by a running specialist and/or physical therapy doctor.  Since the right one is fine and the left is hurting that means that one of two things is very likely happening. 1) You tweaked or hit your foot or leg that caused a spasm somewhere which lead to a problem in the left achilles tendon and calf.  2) You have an asymmetry somewhere that is causing this pain.  Everyone has asymmetries, but some lead to noticeable pain and some don't.  This asymmetry could be anywhere in your body, but is starting in your hip.  Go get evaluated. You may or may not have to have follow-up visits.  It depends on the problem. If you're not satisfied with the initial evaluation then get a second.  Everyone has different training and background and good and bad days.  The first evaluation may or may not be good enough.  

Please let me know if you have any other questions or need help finding an expert. Good luck getting the problem fixed quickly.  The longer you wait the more exacerbated the problem can become.