After diagnosing the Achilles tendon rupture, my doctor gave me a CAM Walker, an adjustable boot with metal rods on the sides and Velcro straps to ensure a tight fit to the leg. This is how it looks like. Since this device immobilizes the foot and ankle, it prevents any pressure or strain on the broken tendon and the surrounding muscles, and allows you to walk safely.The doctor told me that I would also use the same CAM Walker after the surgery, instead of a regular cast. Some people don’t like this, because the CAM Walker is very heavy. However, since you can control the pressure with the Velcro straps, it is a better option than the cast while you still have a fresh scar with stitches.
My boot didn’t have angle settings; it was just fixed at 90 degrees. Some doctors like to use an adjustable boot that allows the foot to be positioned at different angles so that they can start by placing the patient’s foot pointing slightly down, and move gradually to 90 degrees (see picture to the left). Supposedly, this allows for a more gradual healing of the tendon.My doctor didn’t think that was necessary and gave me a boot that would position my foot at 90 degrees immediately after the surgery.
13 comments:
Hi - ruptured my achilles on 6th Dec and have been in a cast since. Due to go into the boot on 7th Jan 09, can't wait. My consultant is using the conservation method for healing ie NO surgery, not even for full ruptures (which mine isn't, but my cousin's is and he is on same 'treatment'). Interesting you were given the boot from day 1, will speak to my doc at next consultation.
Frances D
This is what I have now at 6 weeks post op. My ortho kept me in a cast with the foot slightly pointed until my foot could go into the "neutral" or 90 degrees position.
I have noticed that the thing is REALLY heavy and I still have to use two crutches. Even though I am an American, after reading several online resources, I switched from auxillary crutches to european style forearm crutches.
Hi All,
I ruptured my achilles on 23 Dec and had the repair done on 29 Dec. The surgeon had me in a split cast for three and a half weeks, and then into a walking boot. The boot I have allows for a range of motion - right now set at 15 degrees plantar-flexion and 0 degrees dorsi-flexion (neutral). Over the past two weeks with this boot, I have progressed to walking completely without my crutches (except for when I have the boot off for showering, etc) and can maintain my foot at neutral. At first I was unsure about the movement but it has turned out for the best as I feel like my ROM and strength are getting better every day, I just hope I'm not over-doing it.
James
James. Your boot sounds really good. Can you tell me the name of it? Thanks!
My treatment sounds a bit more conservative. I ruptured my AT in Dec and had surgery following day and wore three cast 2 for months in different angles. Now wearing the boot or CAM walker. I can now walk without crutches. I went swimming and couldn't wear my fins because the base of my foot is swollen. I will start PT in early March. I have a question - will physical therapy and time cause that thickness to shrink? It is not sore or painful just big.
Hey all, Jan 8 I ruptured my right AT. Am excited today as ortho will remove split cast and replace with boot cast. Was hoping that I will not need the crutches anymore. Probably not, huh? Cant wait to be on my feet. 9 years ago, I ruptured my right AT. Did not heard of boot cast then. I totally lost control of my feet with my right AT rupture, but had control for left AT rupture. Ortho explained and took a pix during surgery. It was the plantaris tendon, a very thin but strong tendon controlling movement of my feet. Good luck to all...and speedy recovery.
I ruptured march 10, surgery on march 13. I will be in 2 different casts lasting until may 11 when I go into a boot. I am trying to make a golf trip that has planned for a year. We leave on may 20th. I can play in the boot, but will I be ready and able to play? What are the odds of wearing boot at all times except when I play?
Help with thoughts??
Gary,
I am in a similar situation, I ruptured mine on 3/16, surgery on 3/19 and have a golf trip beginning of June. My doc seems confident that I can go and play. He advised that I might not be able to play to my handicap but I should be able to enjoy the game and outdoors...those are his words. Sitting on my couch today reading all these blogs it is hard to believe that I will believe that I will be ready to go. Golf does not place a lot of stress on the achilles I believe. Will you be flying to your trip? I know we are not supposed to fly for at least 6 weeks due to deap vein thrombosis. I wish you luck and hope you make your trip. I would skip my trip if I could just play golf somewhere in June. the loss or muscle and flexabilty scares the crap out of me
Mark,
Thanks for your words. My doc said I would be able to play but would lose money. My leg feels great, just trying to figure out how it will be then. I would love to visit with u. Talk golf and injuries. If u get a chance email me, we can exchange numbers. Glinville@paramountmtg.com
Hope to hear from you
Gary
I ruptured mine on 11/14/08 (complete rupture) and had surgery 10 days later. Spent 2 weeks casted after surgery with my foot pointed down. Got my CAM boot with a layered heel lift to gradually peel off the layers to bring the angle of the ankle back to 90 over the course of a week or so. 6 weeks post-op, doctor said to ditch the crutches and start walking with the boot. No boot - no walking. The boot is quite heavy, but it does become a part of you, and it really doesn't take that long to adjust your walking to account for both its weight AND the fact that your "good" leg is now quite shorter than the other. 12 weeks post-op, I was given the go-ahead to lose the boot, put my shoe on and start walking. Was assigned to physical therapy twice a week for 6 weeks. Every single little thing that you do will make you feel so triumphant - walking backwards, that's a big one... going up and down stairs... standing on your toes... getting into a car normally instead of having to sit first and swing your legs in... Just keep telling yourself that you CAN do it, because you can, you just might THINK that you can't, like I did. My ankle is still quite swollen. When you lose the boot altogether, your calf will be much smaller than the other due to the lack of muscle use (it's your thigh that carries the weight of the boot) and the pressure exerted by the velcro. A couple of days with no boot and my ankle blew up like a balloon. The swelling has gone down considerably, but is noticably still swollen when compared with the other. Massaging will help A LOT with circulation down there to get things cleared out and back to normal. Also - when you lose the boot, keep your incision moisturized. The healing, the swelling and the activity in PT will make it sore and EXTREMELY itchy is the skin starts to stretch and move the way it used to. I tried so many lotions and found that Gold Bond Anti-Itch for extremely dry skin is the BEST. Green/Tealish bottle with a red pump and red lettering. Sure, it smells a bit like Ben-Gay, but it works wonders.
Complete rupture on 3/22 with surgery on 3/24. Hard cast for 5 weeks. I'm currently in a removable air cast for three weeks. I don't sleep in the air cast. Instead, I sleep in a plantar fasciitis boot that encourages the tendon to remain flexible.
So I was at the medical supply store and the physical therapist asked me what kind of walking boot I was going to get. He said more and more docs were going with the ankle high boot instead of the one all the way over the calf. Was wondering what the people in here have to say. I get my cast off on Friday and wanted to go in "armed" with information.
Thanks...Tracer
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