Aside from that, there are several “rehabilitation protocols”, basically a timeline or sequence of activities from the day of the surgery to return to normal physical activity. Most protocols consider six months the usual time to walk more or less normally and perform not too demanding excercises, and about a year to return to regular sports activities. The rehabilitation protocol you will follow depends mostly on your doctor, who may prescribe a very conservative or very aggressive protocol.
The main difference is the amount of time you will be non-weight-bearing. The NWB period should basically serve to achieve a delicate balance between the tendon healing and avoiding the excesive weakening of the calf and leg muscles due to inactivity. Some doctors advocate extended NWB periods (like my doctor, who prescribed 9 weeks of NWB), while others tend to think that by the third week the tendon is pretty much healed and weight bearing should start, so that the leg muscles don’t have the change to weaken too much.
I am here including links to a more or less normal/conservative rehabilitation protocol, and an aggressive protocol advocated by James S. Keene after a "turn down" fascial grafting surgery.
258 comments:
I’m new to this sight. I ruptured my right Achilles on the 2nd August 2008 and had surgery on the 18th August. My surgeon placed my leg in a semi cast with the front open to allow for swelling. On Monday the 25th August I fell in the garden placing slight weight on my bad leg. Hurt like hell at the time but today no pain at all. I was reading some of the comments on your Blog in relation to taking a fall and I’m hoping I have not done any further damage. By the way great Blog sight.
I have an appointment with my surgeon on Thursday the 28th August and hopefully the wound will have healed'. Any info would help
Hi I ruptured my right Achilles on July 31 and had surgery on 2 august 2008 and i must say i was very anxious abouth the ordeal. i am 37 but extremely active and athletic. i was in a half cast for two weeks but because i didnt elevate my leg enough over that period i got swelling and had to have the cast removed and then had a back slab plaster for a week and a half. i then attend my follow up appointment with my surgeon who gave me a CAM walker and this has been a blessing, i can weight bear on my leg with crutches and next week i can apparantly use them less and less, the best thing also about the walker is i can take it off at night and during sleep it gives the ankle motion which reduces stiffness. the walker only has a 6 week life span so after 3 weeks i can do deep water running to improve circulation and flexibility of the tendon and the week after i can cycle, my surgeon has planned quite a rigorous physio plan just because i am active and i'm sure if i wasn't it would be a much longer road to recovery? he did say though that i wouldn't be able to resume high impact work like running for up to 6 months? i am not very patient but unfortunately this has been my one and only injury to date and hopefully my last.
I just found this site, and it's very good. I tore my right Achilles tendon on July 6th, and had surgery less than 24 hours later. From all I read, immediate surgery is the best. I had a cast for a week, then a boot for about 5weeks, and now nothing. I think I had a great surgeon and ageat physical therapist, because I'm walking with only a limp after only 2 months. It still hurts, but it feels better every day. Keeping my foot elevated constantly for the first week was also helpful. BTW, I'm 57, overweight, and a dedicated couch potato. I thought I could jump on a bicycle for a long ride after a couple of years in the garage. WRONG! I hope you all have good medical support.
I'm 26, pretty fit and I ruptured my achilles and had surgery in the end of may. I also happen to be in my final year of physical therapy school. I've used pretty aggressive PT with myself and am just now beginning to walk pain free without a limp. I knew the protocol but still thought it would be quicker, now I know how frustrating it is to be on this side of things.
Hi, i ruptured my left Achilles tendon on October 18th and was operated the next morning with the open technique (long incission on the back of my leg). The surgeon has placed a semi cast from thigh to foot which i have beared for 3 weeks now. 10 days after surgery i stumped with the crunches and put some force on the leg and i had pain and a dragging and burning sensation for almost 5 hours. Fortunately the doctor said that it wasnt reruptured, at least completely. I think my surgeon is very conservative about rehabilitation and i cant wait to walk again. I have done a bit search in google and in the pubmed and found that there are different schools regarding when to start weight bearing etc. Some recent randomized trials suggest that early rehabilitation is safe as conservative and the functionality of the leg is better and sooner. But i have asked several orthopedists and i cant find someone to follow me up through an early program. I would like to ask about the boot several of the people in the blog have mentioned: whats its commercial name? can i find it through the internet? how much does it cost? The other thing is that before my injury i used to mountain bike and to go trekking on mountains, which i really miss. Whats your experience? when will it be safe again to start such things? and when will i be able to drive again? i am 33 now and a bit overweight (BMI~26). I was injured when i played basketball after almost 8 years, despite training with my mountain bike. I think that my life has come to a standstill!!
Hi I ruptured my achilles tendon on Halloween and I have to spend 6 weeks in a cast. I'm getting a change of cast today. I'm hoping the road to recovery isn't too long. I'm hoping to be able to excersize normally in the spring. Do you think that's possible?
Hey, i'm part of a club now! Did mine in on Dec. 10th playing squash. I'm 41 and in excellent health. My issue is that I have had no contact with my surgeon after the fact which leaves me guessing how the surgery went, what technique he used etc. As i read up on this rupture I am amazed at all the different factors involved that will give you success in the long run. I have been in very little pain and it certainly feels like it is healing well. I'm in a slab cast now, like many of you, and wait with eager anticipation for my first visit with Surgeon dude to hear what's ahead of me. I'm going to push for the soft boot asap.
Mike
Hello, I had surgery 2-weeks ago. My doctor already has me weight-bearing in a boot that has my heel substantially lifted --- yesterday he gave me the green-light to do so as he removed my cast, and switched me into the boot.
I've spent hours reading through this fantastic blog and many of the comments. The most striking difference in treatment is the drastic variance between doctors in how quickly they encourage weight bearing, and walking.
My surgeon (Andrew Haskell) is one of the top foot/ankle specialists in California. He believes in an aggressive rehabilitation --- not letting the lower leg muscles weaken too much by many weeks of inactivity.
He wants me to fully walk with the boot and no crutches as soon as my balance permits this (I feel like it will take approx 3-6 more days for me to fully get rid of the crutches --- I'm down to one-crutch walking around the house). He is quite adamant about keeping the boot on almost all the time including sleeping (except showering and 2 light foot exercises per day). If I slip without the boot + bear weight (in shower or whatever), then I risk re-rupture.
In 4-weeks (which is 6-weeks past surgery), he says I will be walking in a normal shoe (although I will have a limp for a while)
At that 6-weeks point he wants me to start some physical therapy exercises...although he does not recommend having a physical therapist (another notable difference from many doctors). He feels that the exercises are relatively simple for me to do myself --- and that physical therapists worsen this rehab as often as they help b/c they push too hard.
From 6-weeks to 6-months past surgery, I will continue some exercises (at some point begin low impact exercise like swimming/biking). High impact exercise will not be recommended until 12-months timeframe (maybe a little sooner)
Hope this helps. I am getting married at 10-weeks past surgery, so I'm very happy to have this relatively fast path to walking.
Will update my experience on the blog + answer any questions that I see posted for me..
HI, i've recently had my achilles tendon rupture and i'm at the begging of rehab. However i have two questions:
1) I have never heard of / or seen anybody who ruptured their achilles tendon in the same fashion as mine. That is i was standing still and had some lunatic kick my achilles as hard as he could from behind whilst playing football. Is this unsual or diffrent in anyway?
2) My cast has been off for two weeks but i still limp and get some pain, is this normal?
Thanks.
hi guys, i am new to this achilles thing. i slipped and fell on the ice and ruptured mine at the heel...does not seem like any of you did this at the heel...longer recovery...in a cast and getting stitches out on Friday...on crutches with on only 10 pounds of weight bearing...has anyone flown after surgery...flying in a private airplane where compression is less...please advise...Donna
hi guys. I ruptured my left one about 7weeks ago and got the surgery a week after rupture. Now my surgen removed the cast and put me into that walking cast(air cast). It is christmas season, so there is no PT open so I have to wait until Jan 5th 2009. I was told that it is ok to put the body weight on the left and walk, but my foot is still too stiff to be in 90degrees, so what I am doing is the flexibility excercise. Stretching smoothly and gently for about 30-60seconds and take a rest about a minute helps alot. However, if u feel pain ( not stretching pain) then must stop. This is what I was told to do so. Hopefully everyone is doing fine after their rehab, and merry christmas and happy newyear.
I completely ruptured my right achilles tendon playing hockey the day after Thanksgiving on vacation out west. I thought someone had sticked my calf and was in agony for about ten minutes, then hobbled around for the next six days choosing denial of reality. I iced my foot and leg daily til I got home. On the Thursday after I flew home the pain and swelling was increasing,so I went to urgent care in Tn. The doctor told me he did not think agree with my worry over my achilles tendon, but I knew I was in trouble after doing the calf test. I drove home from the airport using my left foot and toe for the brake and gas pedal but our only local orthopedist office would not let me see the doctor til Monday because his xray tech was off duty. I went to our Urgent care for help that Friday and Got an xray? Then Monday an MRI which showed a total rupture. Was that really necessary? A friend helped me find an orthopedist so I drove to Atlanta Resurgeons group for help. Given the options I decided to take the less invasive but slower path and the PA put me in a hard cast. I hope I chose well. I was relieved to get caring help. We live in rural Western North Carolina and Atlanta is a two hour drive. I will read to find out how to progress, am currently NWB til Jan 5th. I am using an ATV rollabout, crutches, and wheelchair. My foot bothers me in the arch constantly and getting around is cumbersome. This is my first significant injury at age 50, fairly active. I find conflicting information about the best way to heal. I practice as a massage therapist(for almost 23 years) and am uneasy about the muscle atrophy and how the tendon will recover. Any suggestions are welcome. I am attempting to have a holiday upbeat mood but this is our local Christmas dance week and hard for me to sit on the sidelines. The doctor says it will be a year to get fully back to speed.
Leaving for Atlanta to get my second cast. I endured and the awful swelling has diminished. Fell on crutches backwards off the wet steps and had to get my head stapled from hitting the car door. Hope to get some better understanding and see what my leg looks like from a month in the cast.
ouch to Karen...so sorry to hear about your fall. This is Laura from NovaScotia Canada. I am in week 12 and am walking a bit without the cane, much more strength and am doing 40 minutes on the bike daily. goal is to go to France in early May and do alot of hiking. Good luck with your recovery.
Hi. I've just come across this site and how reassuring it is to hear everyone's experiences. I suffered a total rupture of my right achilles on 20th October. I had surgical repair on 29th October and was then in plaster upto my knee for 6 weeks. When the plaster came off I was given the special boot to wear and was told to start weight bearing but still with the aid of crutches. I used the boot for 4 weeks and am now able to walk unaided. My consultant has told me that I am about half way through the healing process and when I see him next in 5 weeks time I should be 95% there. The thing that has really surprised me is how much of a limp I have. I seem to be walking the same way as I was when I first sustained the injury, i.e really stiff and flat footed. Did everyone else find that? I have been told now that the physio is absolutely crucial to aid the healing process and to build up all the muscle I have lost. I'm going to Disneyland Paris on 5th March and just hope I will be OK by then.
I'm almost 3 weeks post op. I ruptured my left Achilles playing basketball. I thought I got kicked and had bad cramp in my calf. Went to the Dr. the following day and had an MRI the next day. It happened around Christmas time so I had to wait about 10 days for the operation. I have an appointment this Monday and I'll be 3 weeks then. The Doc plans on putting me in a boot.
We are taking a trip to Disney in April. I'll be at 17 weeks post op by that time. What kind of shape was your Achilles in at that point? I am planning on renting a wheelchair in case things get tired. Any thoughts.
I did not have surgery and am not far enough along to know timing. After my last appt in Atlanta, I was surprised and grateful when the orthopedist said I could have a soft boot. He did not put me in another hard cast as originally proposed. I was a month in the pink hard cast with my totally ruptured achilles tendon apparently healing okay without surgery. I expected another hard cast and more horrible confinement but its been a week and a half in a soft boot set at 10 degrees, whatever that means, still non weight bearing. A medical Boot sales woman put the boot on and adjusted it for me--neither my doctor or physician's assistant checked me afterwards so I assume this part is not rocket science. Any opinions about the soft boot? Sure feels good and I keep it on always except for showers and a few small amounts of time. The sales gal was young, nice, but did not inspire me with confidence and she did not explain the boot. I enjoy being able to shower and to massage my leg and foot is great. The soft boot can be easily taken on and off and I work on my calf and foot very gently to help the circulation. I have received two professional massages since my injury. After my staples were removed from having cracked my head open like a cantaloupe, the massage shifted my adrenaline anxiety cycle off and I relaxed. Tonight I asked my husband to squeeze my calf gently in a type of "Thompson test" and saw barely any foot movement which was disappointing. I am using my rollabout constantly(love it) and avoid using my crutches although my head gash healed after five days. I still loathe my crutches and will not use them on wet plastic lumber stairs forevermore. My wheelchair is great for resting in crowds and I intend to see Cirque du Soleil performance in the wheelchair because navigating a crowd without the protection would be dangerous and too exhausting. You get special privilege for being in a wheelchair but I yearn to walk again and be grateful for the privilege of far off parking places and two good legs. I wonder if I will ever heal and be mobile again. What do people do to keep up their spirts? How do you cope with having so much limitation and leaning on other people so much? I still can't drive. To cook or vacuum or pick up things from the floor is so much effort and everything takes time. Nothing really is painful or hurts in my ankle unless I accidentally knock my foot. The bottom of my right foot tingles and gets numb/tired/aggravated by overexertion. The orthopedist says I will begin walking again on February 5th, 2009. I overdo so easily, elevate my leg regularly, and resting is still my best and most difficult medicine. How do you know you are on the best course of speedy total healing?
Hello! This site is GREAT! Thank you to all who have posted and for the administrator for setting this up. Here is my story...
On December 13th, 2008 I ruptured my Achilles "attempting" to play a fundraising dodgeball game. I say attempting, because they had just blew the whistle for the game to begin, I pushed off to run, and it tore! I had the classic tear. I thought someone "tripped" me, I thought someone threw something at my ankle, and I fell immediately. I have been a competitive runner and athlete for quite awhile, so I immediately had a strong idea of what I had done. (By the way I am 28 yrs old) I drove myself home in a stick shift car (left Achilles tore). This was quite possibly the worst pain I have ever felt. :) We then went to the urgent care and they said it was torn. Set me up for surgery four days later. My original surgeon was a younger and more innovative doctor, however, due to a death in his family I was switched to an older doctor. This doctor used the turn down method with a large incision. The first few days after surgery were quite painful, but I would recommend elevating as much as humanly possible. This helped me reduce the pain and take down the swelling as fast as possible. One week later they put me in a full cast with my foot at a 90 degree angle. Two weeks later they removed the staples (28 of them). A few days after that I began putting pressure on the walking cast and not using crutches at all. This was an awesome feeling of freedom! However, as many of you are doing, I read this blog and the posts and wonder if I should be more mobile. I wonder if I should be in the walking boot?! As anyone would, I want the best care possible. I desire a proactive doctor who is concerned about me and getting me active as soon as possible. However, I have to believe in our system of medicine, this is something hard to come by.
On January 28th I get the walking cast removed. Then, I will be put into the walking removable boot and put back on crutches. This same day I am set to begin my physical therapy which will be 3 times per week for 4-6 weeks. I am REALLY excited about this part. I feel like this will give me back some control over the healing process. Being in a cast is simply just playing the waiting game. I am STRUGGLING through that part!!!
Here are some questions I have:
I have read many posts about people having a strong limp afterwards. How debilitating is this limp? Is it painful? I am quite mobile in the walking cast, however, I know my foot is set and supported at a specific angle.
As I stated above, the injury occurred on Dec. 13. I will begin rehab on Jan 28. What are the chances I will be able to run/walk through a marathon on May 5th? Is this COMPLETELY ridiculous, or is there any chance I could push through to this goal?
I had some precursor Achilles Tendonitis before the injury. I should have taken care of it right away, but being an idiot I waited. My other Achilles is tender and sore again. I am fearful of rupturing that tendon. Has anyone ruptured both on here? What can I do to prevent that?
This is truly a challenging injury. As I read studies and statistics on the injury I seem to find it happens to many people who are active and athletic. I really hate to be negative, but that stinks! This healing process is truly tough on me, mentally and physically. Thank you for reading this. If you can help in anyway please let me know! Have a great day!
Keachen Abing
Carpidiem21@yahoo.com
Hello Keachan, Below are my answers to your question, based totally on my experience/reading and zero medical training (so take it for what it's worth)(also note, my story is further up on the comments -- my rehab has been one of the most aggressive of the commentators on the blog):
I have read many posts about people having a strong limp afterwards. How debilitating is this limp? Is it painful? I am quite mobile in the walking cast, however, I know my foot is set and supported at a specific angle.
***I GOT OUT OF MY BOOT AND INTO NORMAL SHOE THIS WEEK (6-WEEKS AFTER SURGERY). MY LIMP IS B/C MY FOOT WANTS TO STAY IN THE SAME POSITION AS THE BOOT --- SO MY ANKLE DOES NOT BEND VERY MUCH + MY TOES DO NOT REALLY BEAR WEIGHT. I HAVE VIRTUALLY NO PAIN. MOSTLY STIFFNESS. IN THE 4-DAYS SINCE REMOVING THE BOOT, I AM ALREADY WALKING A LITTLE BETTER.
As I stated above, the injury occurred on Dec. 13. I will begin rehab on Jan 28. What are the chances I will be able to run/walk through a marathon on May 5th? Is this COMPLETELY ridiculous, or is there any chance I could push through to this goal?
***ACCORDING TO MY DOCTOR'S PROGRAM, RUNNING A MARATHON WOULD BE 100% OUT OF THE QUESTION 6-MONTHS AFTER SURGERY. FIRST TIME HE IS ALLOWING ME TO RUN AT ALL IS 7.5 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY (AND HE IS GENERALLY ON THE AGGRESSIVE SIDE). WALKING A LONG DISTANCE MAY BE POSSIBLE --- OF COURSE HAVE TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR.
I had some precursor Achilles Tendonitis before the injury. I should have taken care of it right away, but being an idiot I waited. My other Achilles is tender and sore again. I am fearful of rupturing that tendon. Has anyone ruptured both on here? What can I do to prevent that?
***I HAVE SEEN ONE PERSON ON THE BLOG WHO RUPTURED BOTH (RUPTURED THE 2ND WHILE ON CRUTCHES FOR THE FIRST) --- SOUNDS TERRIBLE. OF COURSE YOUR DOCTOR WOULD KNOW BEST --- MAY BE SOME STRETCHES YOU CAN DO BEFORE EXERCISING. ALSO, SINCE THIS IS OFTEN A "WEEKEND WARRIOR" INJURY, I WOULD SUGGEST CUTTING OUT HIGH IMPACT SPORTS THAT YOU DON'T REGULARLY DO (LIKE FOOTBALL FOR ME WHICH IS HOW I DID MINE --- OR DODGEBALL FOR YOU). TENNIS/BASKETBALL SEEM TO BE BAD CULPRITS ALSO, WHICH IS REALLY DISCOURAGING FOR ME B/C THOSE ARE MY FAVORITE 2 FORMS OF EXERCISE)
This is truly a challenging injury. As I read studies and statistics on the injury I seem to find it happens to many people who are active and athletic. I really hate to be negative, but that stinks! This healing process is truly tough on me, mentally and physically. Thank you for reading this. If you can help in anyway please let me know! Have a great day!
***HANG IN THERE! THE INJURY IS VERY ROUGH, BUT YOU WILL BE BACK AT FULL STRENGTH. THE INJURY HAS MADE ME THINK OF HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WORSE CONDITIONS + I'M FORTUNATE THIS IS A TEMPORARY CONDITION. OF COURSE I'M ALSO SOMETIMES JUST PISSED OFF ABOUT THE WHOLE THING...
Greetings. Like many others here, I recently ruptured my Achilles tendon on Jan. 9th and had surgery a week later on Jan. 16th. I am a little depressed to read about all of the challenges that I am getting ready to face. I am very concerned because I am not the most patient person and I realize that this is a long road. I have my first follow up appointment on Jan. 27th and was hopeful of having my temporary cast removed and then starting to do weight bearing type of rehab. I am glad that I am reading this though because it is allowing me the opportunity to re-think my timing plans. I am enjoying this site to help me prepare for the next 6 months to a year. I hope that my experiences over the foreseeable future will benefit others. I am 38 years old and overweight but, had started a running program recently to start losing weight. I ruptured my Achilles playing church basketball on the first night and had no other indications of trouble. Thank you for the opportunity to read other posts.
Matt,
Thank you for the response to my questions. There are just SOOOO dang many unique points of view on how to treat and rehab this injury. In addition, each person with the injury brings to the table a unique medical history, body, athletic experience, etc. After spending a great deal of time reading this blog, and many others, I am truly beginning to realize there is a very very slim chance of walking/running the marathon in May. I believe it is truly in my best interest to be looking at the long-term picture, instead of being bull headed and wanting to do this marathon in the short-term.
In any case, I appreciate your comments and this blog! This is a unique injury and it is really nice to have a "support" group like this. Thank you!
Keachen
yeah im in the club also. i just tore my achilles tendon on my right leg doing something stupid on sat 17th 2009. yeah it was bleeding like a river. they took me to the hospital right after and got the blood to stop flowing out of my body. most excrutiating pain i have ever had. my leg was soo swollen i thought it was just going to POP..thanks for the emt's who patched it up real fast. so i went to surgery on the following day and yeah now im at home nursing this leg. it sucks because now i have to do things a whole lot different. but yeah now im looking forward to the recovery stages and yeah to be walking agian pretty soon...
anybody with info please email me at haroman54@hotmail.com ..
thanks
41yo male who tore my Achilles on Nov 24th playing indoor soccer. Jan 19th I was finally able to ditch the boot. Doc told me to start trying to walk asap. He doesnt think I need PT so he is telling me to "push" myself and walk regardless of the pain. (Strange to hear a doc say that). Anyways my ankle is where the pain is centralized, the AT itself feels fine. I have a severe limp right now but it has only been two days walking after seven weeks of crutches and boot. A couple of my co-workers have said that my foot seems to be pointed the wrong way. This is because the weight of the boot was dictating the direction of my foot for so long, that I am now accustomed to it and it makes walking difficult. I expect this will straighten out soon. I still use the crutches a bit but I plan to ditch them completely in the next 2 days.
Just remember, "You will get through this". Most importantly, keep your mind occupied (read, watch dvd series, play games on a laptop, work...) and stay positive.
Great blog! I tore my right achilles on January 14, 2009 playing in a basketball league game. I knew it right away! 41 yo ex college athlete
Had surgery the next day. Pretty much pain free. Just got my cast on the 19th. Four weeks with a cast and then the boot for another 4 weeks. I too want to fast track this injury and rehab...not sure this is the route my doc wants. Aggressive PT for sure. As an aside my pain was never over the top. Felt as though I was kicked in the calf...actually limped to my car and drove myself to the ER and home afterwards. Good luck to all and thanks for sharing...it has helped me tremendously!
Hi Alex R
I just wanted to say that you are the first person i've seen whose surgeon also told them Physio wasnt needed. Mine seemed to think that walking more than anything else would repair & rebuild my leg, however GP has since sent me to physio so that they can at least check i'm walking correctly, and give me a program suitable for getting back to playing football. While he didn't disagree with the surgeons non physio stance with regards to strenght, he was concerned that you can learn to walk incorrectly, without it. But i guess everybody is diffrent.
Secondly, for anybody nearing the end of rehab, has the size of your repaired tendon decreased? currently (7 weeks post cast) my repaired tendon is still way thicker than the other, do they ever get back to the same thickness? Thank you.
My girlfriend just put me onto this blog. I just ruptured my Achilles tendon last night playing indoor soccer. I unfortunately/fortunately had the same fuckin injury on the other foot 10 years. SHIT. Will see surgeon tomorrow. I went through this before, and I was a good 6 months before I could returned to sports again. I like others am very impatient, but I have to heed my own advice and take it easy, and stick with a good aggresive PT program. keep you posted.
Just joined the TA rupture club! I live in New Zealand and ruptured by right Achilles on 21 Jan 2009. Was doing sprint drills on the beach and it just went pop with no warning! I'm seeing one of the top orthopaedic specialists in NZ, who looks many of NZ's top athletes. He has done extensive research on how to get athletes back to competition from a TA rupture. His programme is definitely one of the most progressive and aggressive. Thought that those of you who are keen sports people would be interested to see his programme. Most importantly, he is not an advocate of surgery (unless its a repeat injury). First two weeks in an equinas plaster cast, non weight bearing. Weeks 2-4, into a range walker moonboot set at 20 degree of equinas. Remove boot every hour and flex foot up and down for 5 min (do not come beyond right angle!). Weeks 4-6 moonboot set at 10 degrees from equinas and can begin touch weight on toe of boot up to 20kgs of pressure. Continue with flexion exercises. Weeks 6-8 moonboot set at neutral and begin weaning off crutchers to walk with moonboot. Continue with flexion exercises and can remove boot for sleeping. At 8 weeks come out of moonboot and start toe raising exercises. When you can single leg toe raise and support your own weight, can beign stretching and strengthening programme. By this way, this is considered his conservative programme! He thinks I'll be back to almost normal sprint training in 6 months and can compete next season (season starts around Oct/Nov). Throw me any questions you may have. Otherwise, I'll let try to keep you guys up to date with how I get on with the programme. Good to everyone in rehab!
I am so glad to catch up on this blog and reading about rehab experience. It's been 67 days since my achilles tendon totally ruptured. I feel like I am in slow progress mode. Tomorrow, February 5th, I head back to the orthopedist in Atlanta to begin walking rehab. This second month of healing I have been non-weight bearing in a velcro boot at 10 degrees(it doesnt flex). I continue massaging my foot and leg daily and have lost a lot of the medial portion of the right calf muscle. My husband got the grab bars in the shower for me yesterday(only two months of grabbing onto the faucet). I get kinda teary eyed realizing tomorrow I will WALK AGAIN! My rollabout ATV scooter has been a lifesaver, also used the wheelchair to sit at the computer. My gash healed fine(five staples and a big ER bill)but the trauma is still green in my memory of hitting the back of my head on the edge of the car door falling helplessly backwards. That head injury hurt worse than the achilles pop, which was also excruciating when it first happened.
This has been a long and quiet healing time. I intend to fully and rapidly recover my strength and mobility. I have been happiest staying around the house. I get cranky when I go out and can't do things or participate like normal. I have been doing one to two massages a day using my rollabout so I continue to work at home. My clients are great and very amazed by my scooter abilities. Cleaning the house and cooking remain a hassle and my back tires out. I function best in bursts with lots of rest. Most friends have been really busy and not had much time for visiting me. I will be a better friend in the future knowing how the small kindnesses and someone's loving presence make such a big difference when you are homebound. My husband has been kind, patient and a great caregiver. I anticipate the joy of just plain walking and then adding contra dancing, hiking, planting our garden...oh happy days are here again or near again. I have no real foot or leg pain and the foot tingling and swelling has been less and less. I am tapping my toes in anticipation of tomorrow.
I ruptured my Right Achilles on January 24, 2009. I had surgery on the 26th. Back slab cast and then I saw the surgeon on Feb 4th. New fibreglass back slab cast. No stitches to remove? Has anyone else experienced this? Just the steri-strips. anyway, 1 month is this cast with no weight bearing and then into the aircast boot with 2" heel lift with weight bearing and every week take 1/2" out until 10 weeks after surgery walking flat in boot. My surgeon also said NO physio and that I would be in a regular shoe at 3 months post surgery.
Great Blog,
I too am a club member. Full rupture of my left achilles tendon on Dec 03/08 while vacationing in Mexico. Fun stuff in the mexican hospital however hung out by the pool and flew home to have my surgery on Dec 7/08. I spent a month on my back with a hard cast, started me on the walking boot at 4 weeks, on the stationary bike with my boot at 5wks and by the 7th week all of my wedges were out and with much discomfort I was put in my shoe. I'm not at the end of my 8th week and I can say I ditched my crutch, boot and refused the cane. I'm walking on my own with a slight limp and hopefully by next week I'll ditch the limp too. Working out at the gym to build up my calf, stretches and stationary bike for cardio. I don't ever want to see that black boot or crutch again. My wheelchair is still sitting in my living room collecting dust. I have to return it to my neighbour I can't stand to look at it! This injury is all about mind over matter. Once you build up your initial confidence and accept some pain you'll be moving alot faster in recovery. I chose not to accept some of the things my doctor told me and listened to my own body signals. My physiotherapist told me I'm leaps and bounds ahead of most.
Just do it and use you're own common sense...make sure your healed 1st though!
Does anyone know where I can find a link to this reference:
an aggressive protocol advocated by James S. Keene after a "turn down" fascial grafting surgery.
The link at the top of this blog is not working.
I am 5 1/2 wks following surgery and able to walk around my house full load bearing, no boot. Feels like I am ready to give up the crutches and boot totally, but pretty concerned because my surgeon has been so conservative -- he wants me in the boot and on crutches for another 6 1/2 wks. I really don't want to risk re-injury but that just feels way too conservative for me. Any advice, comments? When did people start walking in a regular shoe? Seems like it varies from about 4 wks to 10 wks... Thanks for any followup, especially to locate that reference. Good luck to all of you!
I also am a member of the club! Last November I was playing in an intramural flag football tournament. As I went to go out for a pass I pushed off of my back foot and heard a loud pop(as did others within about 15 feet of me). I had surgery 4 days after the rupture. Doctor's were a little shocked due to the fact that I am only 21 years old and played college football for 2 years and was very active at the time of the rupture. I was in a hard cast for 6 weeks, a walking boot for 4 weeks, and now am walking pretty good unaided. I have been sticking to my physical therapy about 5 days a week and have rebuilt quite a bit of the muscle I lost due to atrophy. I completely feel for everyone that has had to go through this painful process. The 6 weeks in a cast and on crutches in the Nebraska Winter was not fun at all, and to top it all of with the driving with my left foot.
A question for all... Was your rupture painful at all?
I didn't have any pain immediately after the rupture or the days following, although I had a very small amount of swelling.
I have been in the boot at 0 degrees for almost two weeks. Walking is a blessing after two months non weight bearing but my heel and arch bother me quite a bit/burning and tight feeling. Also, I feel like a pirate hobbling on a peg leg--what do people do to balance out the boot that is over an inch taller than my foot in tennis shoes. I have been wearing a clog on my left foot to help balance the short side when I walk but now my back is torqued out. My Doctor told me no driving yet but I can sleep and rest without the boot which feels great. I am not supposed to dorsiflex my foot and it still swells if I am on my feet a lot. He did not want me to start physical therapy until I return for an appt March 2nd. For whatever reason the achilles tendon scar tissue is still too skinny. I am tired and have been catching up on the mess of medical bills but will read up on other people's progress tomorrow.
This site has been a great help. I had surgery January 23 and started physical therapy February 13. I am a bit worried as the therapist gave me the incorrect protocol to work. He had me dorsiflexing for 15 minutes and called me Feb 16 to say the he had made a mistake and "NOT" to dorsiflex anymore. I called the surgeon and he is going to examine mt tendon the morning of the 18th. My foot feels great and I hope nothing is wrong. This happened when I am unemployed. I think it is the worst luck ever. I am in need of some good luck ASAP. I am hoping the exam goes well and no damage was done.
Here is an update on me 2/19/09:
My name is Keachen, and I tore my Achilles on December 13th, 2009. I had a previous post which described it more and some questions I had.
I was in a walking cast for 6 weeks. That was removed on Jan. 29th. That same day I started rehab. My PT took some measurements and started some very basic stretches and exercises, in addition to giving me a theraband to work on some stuff at home. I was sent home with my crutches and told to only put 25% weight on the injured foot.
Since the 29th I have been going to PT 3 times per week. My flexibility is very close to my non-injured side. I still have some stiffness and can feel general soreness in the Achilles when stretched to its limit. Scar looks great and swelling is very minimal.
Monday of this week (2/16/09 - 63 days since rupture) my PT tested my lower leg strength to compare. The injured side was 61% of the good side. This was great news, because he took away my crutches! (Well, I actually kept the damn things, because they cost me $210!) At 90% he said I could start running again. I am hopeful that might be in mid-late March.
Walking has come a long way, however, without complete range of motion and optimum strength in the injured leg I still walk with a little hitch in my giddy-up. :) I also think a lot of it comes from the mental piece. I truly have to re-train my mind to be confident in the injured side and trust I can put weight on it.
Things have progressed nicely. It is a SLOW process, but hang in there everyone! I absolutely HATED the cast I was in!!! Oh man, I know how that part stinks. There are some great cast exercise on the web though. They may not be for everyone's situation, but if applicable, they can help make you feel like you are doing something while in your restricted cast. This is certainly a crazy injury. So unique, painful, and time consuming in rehabbing. I guess I just have to believe it happened to each of us for some reason. :)
Hello - Good to find this site; makes sitting on the couch feel productive. So i think the protocal is for me to state that I ruptured my AT and when... this is the kicker... Valentine's Day. My wife loved watching, with my two small children, me hit the turf and our plans for an overnight go up in smoke. That day I went to the Urgent Care at Yale and was given the bad news that I would most likely need surgery. I was seen by Dr. Reach (good name for an ortho). He was able to do a minimal incision and reattach the AT. I am post op 3 days and slowly going insane! I agree with most the clast is horrific and borderlines on torture. Why is it ever time I put my foot down it feels like it is going to explode? Has anyone re-ruptured post op from just moving about? As an aside I am a Pharmacist and have never been a fan of the narcotic pain meds but I now have a greater appreciation and know their place in therapy.
For the first 30 days of my hard cast(no surgery),my toes/foot/leg would swell and it was sometimes awful. Elevation helped tremendously. Now, almost three months into healing, I am enjoying sitting at the computer with my zero degree black soft boot off. Re-reading the blog I remember how LONG it has been...I am so improved!! Now standing upright on both feet and walking in the boot,sometimes without it, slowly starting to garden, building back strength just by using my leg again. My doctor said no physical therapy a month ago, tendon was still too skinny. My atrophied medial calf is starting to return to normal. Doing my work of massage therapy is so much easier now...a bit loud as I clunk around in the boot like Herman Munster. March 2nd 2009 I go to Atlanta(2 hour drive)to see the orthopedist for the fourth time. If my tendon is thickened up enough, I will start physical therapy. Still not supposed to drive(it is dangerous in the boot because I tried). Doctor told me to keep in the boot at all times except sleep and showering but the last two weeks it felt good to walk some without it. I love having that boot off and carefully point my toes while in the recliner and massage my foot and calf. I can feel the tendon and scar tissue is filling in the gap. Since I chose the non-surgical option of healing, I am curious how quickly I will be walking normally. Right now I have thrown my neck and back out of whack from lurching with the big boot. I am so happy being upright I don't care. Each day I feel so much better. Like springtime, my life is rising up from winter dormancy/spending so much time alone and unable to drive or do much around the house. My husband is ready for me to be healed also. I read a lot of books. My achilles tendon completely ruptured sprinting in a hockey game. What pain! I kept walking around on it for a week and the bruising and swelling had gotten worse by the time I saw a doctor. Now is the home stretch(since November 29th, 2008). Tomorrow we go to the Cirque du Soleil to see amazing human feats of movement and gravity defying wonder. I will be in a wheelchair for the last time just because of the crowds and I don't like that idea--like going backwards even for an afternoon. After Monday I will turn in my wheelchair(no bill yet) and rollabout(valued at 758 dollars... yikes!). For me the roll-about scooter was worth the rental(40 bucks a week) especially during my first two months of non-weight bearing. I gave up my crutches totally after cracking the back of my head open when the crutch slipped a month into rehab. Those days seem like years ago and this website helped me feel less alone, hopeless, and frightened. I am 52 years old and overweight but active in dance, hiking, and farming. I am curious as to how fast people can return to normal. I am ready to walk and move my ankle freely, something I don't do yet. My heart goes out to the achilles tendon rupture newbies. It is a long road to walking again but the tendon really does get better.
I've read some of the the posts here, but not all of them. It seems I'm rehabbing my tendon much faster than most. At 22 days postop, I can walk, albeit abnormally. At this point, I can put my injured foot slightly in front of my good foot, (good heel even with bad toes), keep some of the forward momentum going, and do some token pushing off with the calf on the injured side. By starting calf exercises early, muscle atrophy has been minimal. I also made a point of keeping my other leg muscles working, so they didn't get weak. My surgeon is pretty aggressive about rehab, going by the experiences here, but I am going well ahead of what he wants me to do. (I'm a doctor myself, and we make terrible patients.) I never had a cast, just a rigid splint down the front of my lower leg and the top of my foot, held on with an ace wrap. I don't wear the splint or use the crutches any more, unless I'm going across ice and am therefore concerned about slipping.
I'm 53, pulled my tendon in half playing basketball, and am in good shape by most people's standards, but not in good shape by athlete standards. (I played basketball in college for a very demanding coach, so I know what real fitness is.) For example, riding my bike 50 miles is my idea of a fun morning, but I'm no speed demon, taking 3 1/2 to 4 hours to do it.
I suspect most rehab programs for these injuries are unnecessarily long.
Al
Yes Im another injured sports fanatic.
I am 40 and have been playing football for about 20 years with no major injuries. Im not sure if anyone else has had this same injury but I tore my AT off the heel bone. I also had a bone spur on my heel that was shaved off.(it was prob the reason why my AT ruptured) Anyway this boot really sucks i cant wait to get back on the field. I feel for all of you out there!! I had surgery 3 weeks ago and cant wait to walk. I am still going to work and going to the gym everyday to stay fit.
Good Luck to all and stay positive and determined dont let something like a little tendon keep you down it will heal
I ruptured my achilles on my left foot October 1997 playing basketball, I was 27 and the doctor then suggested to let it heal naturally, I was on a cast for 4 weeks and crutches and then 4 weeks on a walking cast, it took me 6 months to really get back to normal, I of course got back playing basketball. Push forward 12 years later playing on a basketball tournament and now at 39 My right achilles gives out....just my luck. I got the surgery this time on March 5, 2009strongly suggested by my new doctor. Since I'm familiar with this, all I can say is we will all be back to normal..the only problem is it does take a long long time so if you are active, it can somewhat be a challenge sitting around. The only difference this time for me is I have my 5 year old boy to keep me smiling all the time :o).
@ Joel
I was JUST speaking about this with my girlfriend; if anyone ever ruptured both their tendons.
I fully ruptured my left tendon on December 22nd.
I decided to go with the non-surgical treatment after speaking with my Doctor. I just got into a walking boot last week and I'm starting to try and walk on it. I went out last night with the gf and her nieces and I made it half way down the street and I had to stop and ask my gf to run back and get a crutch lol. It was just a bit too painful and while I could have probably toughed it out...I had to tell the ego to take a step to the side and let my logic work its magic instead.
I really can't wait to walk again.
I was very very active before this happened and it's been kind of depressing. I had to submerge myself in work to keep sane.
I'm going to start physical therapy this week. I'll let you guys know what they recommend. So far I've been just trying to move my foot around and pull my toes up as far as possible on it's own.
btw...my bad leg looks like a woman's leg next to my good one lol. It's hilarious.
@CMP, you will have limited mileage walking on that achilles for a few months just so you know. Also, if I knew then what I know now, I would have chosen surgery. It took me 5 month after injury before I had a pain free experience after long walks (I'm talking on my feet walking over an hour or so) and 6 months after before I can get back playing basketball. Good luck to you but I advise not to plan any trips to big amusement parks (disneyland etc). for another month. I'm know on a cast for the present injury and hopefully be going on a walking boot in 2 weeks. Thank heavens for DVD's and Internet surfing....Even at 39 I'll be back in the basketball court :o) It will just have to be sometime this coming 2009 winter.
Will someone post more details of their rehab experience and/or protocol for successfully rehabilitating their ruptured achilles tendon? I would like to know more about what worked best including any exercises. I was curious about the New Zealand protocol from Szumin. Also, there is a link to protocol of this blog I can't seem to access. Is there a company name or address for where to find those round plastic dics filled with water that have been mentioned for rehab. How many people have tried water therapy? I was not greatly impressed with our local physical therapy. They charged me 147 dollars basically for some theraband exercises and taking time to talk and make some measurements. I was to go three times a week with various physical therapy assistants to work with me, not the physical therapist as I requested. Is this typical? I cancelled my appointments because I did not feel confident in my treatment. Maybe I am just too grumpy after 16 weeks plus now all the bills are coming in for what the insurance won't pay and I am shocked by the charges. I am eager to be recovering my walking, strength, and flexibility without reinjury. Does anyone know of a great physical therapy program or something I can do myself? I still can't walk normally but I love being on my feet out of the black boot. Springtime daffodils are blooming and my wheelchair is gone!
I just ruptured my left achilles tendon while at soccer practice on Friday evening. I thought my teammate had missed the ball and kicked me in the back of the foot, since that was the sensation I felt. I looked at her and was like, "OH MY GOD, you missed the ball!" When she said she didn't touch me, I was like, "Hmmmm, really?! It sure felt like it!" I bent over to rub it out and then when I tried to stand my foot was essentially dead and limp. When one of my teammates and coach came over to see what happened, they both felt around and could feel the hole where my tendon should have been.
When I went to the ER later that evening, I failed the calf test, indicating that the tendons weren't connect somewhere along the line. We figured as much. I finally got my MRI the following afternoon, Saturday, and it revealed that it was indeed torn and hanging on by a thread, literally. At the ER, I was put into a fiberglass, open-front cast and given crutches. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon, so I should know whether I'm having surgery soon or not. I'm definitely bummed that I'll have to sit this season out, which starts in a couple months, as I was super excited to be playing on one of the women's teams in the WPSL. My goal is to now be back for next season, which gives me over a year to get into even better form than I am now! As I undergo treatment, I will come back and make updates.
I tore my achillies on March 1st, 2009 and had surgery on March 6th. I'm in my last week with the fiberglass cast, and hope to get in the boot this Monday (March 30th). This is the second time I've ruptured my achillies, both ankles have now been affected. The first time was when I was 23, playing soccer, it was my left ankle then. Now I'm 29, it was playing soccer (again), right ankle this time.
If you want to be optimistic about recovery, you can, but of course I was much younger then. For my first injury, I had my surgery at the end of April 2005 and was back on the field by the end of July or maybe the begining of August 2005 (I've been trying to recall this fact). I remember this most of all, because I chose to go out drinking on Cinco de Mayo, and it was a total disaster, in the fiberglass cast on crutches, ouch! I started my rehab about 6 weeks post-op, and chose to do it with a pilates specialist. Pilates was great, the way it works with weight distribution helped alot. We also did alot of deep tissue massaging and ultra-sound therapy.
The difference between then and now is that I'll be getting into a boot 1 week earlier this time. There are different schools of thought here. Some think that putting a little weight on the ankle earlier is better, while others insist on stabilizing for a longer period of time. I tend to think that a little weight early on is better, not to mention it gets you rehabbing earlier as well. To be honest, the first time I had this injury, I didn't wear the boot as much as I should have, and everything turned out very well. Lending flexibility to the ankle may have helped.
Once you get rehabbed, it becomes a psychological thing, because you'll need to trust your ankle. It took me a while to fully commit to playing again. I was very nervous when sprinting or going into tackles. You'll just need to jump off that ledge, and trust that you're fit and the injury doesn't happen again...though in my case it does, 4 years later.....DOH!
Anyhow, good luck with everything and stay positive! I know how difficult it is to not be active and becomming overly dependent on others. You really get wrapped up in your thoughts, so try and stay busy.
CORRECTION: whoops, wrong dates, don't know if it matters, but whatever, here's the correction...
I tore my achillies on March 1st, 2009 and had surgery on March 6th. I'm in my last week with the fiberglass cast, and hope to get in the boot this Monday (March 30th). This is the second time I've ruptured my achillies, both ankles have now been affected. The first time was when I was 24, playing soccer, it was my left ankle then. Now I'm 29, it was playing soccer (again), right ankle this time.
If you want to be optimistic about recovery, you can, but of course I was much younger then. For my first injury, I had my surgery at the end of April 2004 and was back on the field by the end of July or maybe the begining of August 2004 (I've been trying to recall this fact). I remember this most of all, because I chose to go out drinking on Cinco de Mayo, and it was a total disaster, in the fiberglass cast on crutches, ouch! I started my rehab about 6 weeks post-op, and chose to do it with a pilates specialist. Pilates was great, the way it works with weight distribution helped alot. We also did alot of deep tissue massaging and ultra-sound therapy.
The difference between then and now is that I'll be getting into a boot 1 week earlier this time. There are different schools of thought here. Some think that putting a little weight on the ankle earlier is better, while others insist on stabilizing for a longer period of time. I tend to think that a little weight early on is better, not to mention it gets you rehabbing earlier as well. To be honest, the first time I had this injury, I didn't wear the boot as much as I should have, and everything turned out very well. Lending flexibility to the ankle may have helped.
Once you get rehabbed, it becomes a psychological thing, because you'll need to trust your ankle. It took me a while to fully commit to playing again. I was very nervous when sprinting or going into tackles. You'll just need to jump off that ledge, and trust that you're fit and the injury doesn't happen again...though in my case it does, 4 years later.....DOH!
Anyhow, good luck with everything and stay positive! I know how difficult it is to not be active and becomming overly dependent on others. You really get wrapped up in your thoughts, so try and stay busy.
My rehab had me walking pretty well four weeks postop, and still improving nicely. I posted what I did at:
http://pseudowebpage.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-achilles-tendon-rehab.html
This is a follow-up to my first note (above) on 3/7.
I think the main thing I found is that good progress can be made by pushing yourself gradually but consistently. I wasn't "rehabbing" all day, either. This was very much a part time effort.
I hope someone finds this helpful.
Anonymous -
I ruptured my AT on March 11th playing basketball. I am 37 and very active and stay in pretty good shape but I am guilty of not stretching enough and pushing too hard. Same scenario as a lot of the posts here... was playing defense and took a hard step back on my left foot and heard a very loud pop and felt like someone kicked me hard in the heel. My wife took me to ER immediately (I knew exactly what I had done, my twin brother did the same thing a few yrs ago)and surgery one week later on March 18th. One week later I slipped on my crutches and came down hard on my left toes. Felt immediate pain and I was freaking out that I had reinjured it. I went to the doctor and they removed the half cast and said it was fine. So... now I am in a hard cast (at 90 degrees) for a week and doc is telling me he is fine with me putting some weight on it now. I get the staples and cast removed in a week and then to the walking boot for 6 weeks or so or until doc says I "can prove I can walk without crutches". Anyway I am very thankful for my doc's aggressive approach. He is very well known has done a lot of these surgeries.
Here is my question for the group though.... I am having an extremely hard time completely straightening my injured leg. When I do it feels cramped in my calf and hamstring and I feel a pulling on my achilles. Doctor says it is fine to keep working at it but it is really worrying me given that I am feeling the pull in the AT. Has anyone else had this problem?? I am wonder if it is just from having it bent so much when it is elevated and now that I am back to work and on the crutches more I always have it up and bent??? Anyway would love to know if anyone has experienced the same.
This injury is as tough mentally as it is physically, although given the number of other weekend warriors that I know have come back fully I am staying pretty optimistic.
Good luck to everyone... stay positive (I figure if I tell everyone else that I will start believing it!!)
Answering the above question, you are right that keeping the knee bent all the time makes those muscles a little tighter. Both the hamstring muscle and the bigger of the calf muscles (gastrocs) cross the knee joint, so straightening the knee will stretch them both.
As I've been trying to point out with my recent experience:
http://pseudowebpage.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-achilles-tendon-rehab.html
most rehab programs are probably slower than they need to be. I'm 53, not in particularly good shape, and I was walking quite well in my regular shoes (and the crutches put away for good) within four weeks of surgery. So I would suggest not being too afraid to keep moving ahead.
I never used a walking boot with my rehab, either. I wonder if they get in the way more than they help, (unless you're in a situation where losing your balance is a real risk, as when I put my splint on when I'm riding my bicycle, just to be extra safe). My experience was that walking led to rapid progress in my ankle's range of motion. A boot that fixes the ankle's angle won't allow that.
Good luck!
Not totally new to this site, but first time posting. First off, thank you all for your experiences and I can totally relate to what your going through. I'm 37 years old and my experience so far is thus:
Aug 7/08 - Ruptured my rt AT at Tae Kwon Do pratice (I'm a black belt going for 2nd degree)
I was in an open stance (right leg behind me) preparing to kick with my right leg (so I was pushing off)
As I was preparing to perform the following ballistic movement, I began to push off, I then felt my heel just hit the ground with force. I was unsure of what was happening until I tried to move, realizing that I had no support from my right leg I hopped off to the side to assess what I had done. Comparing the feeling of both tendons I realized that my right side was too "squishy" and attempted to perform a self "thompson Test" (squeeze your calf muscle and your foot should plantar flex) Not possible to do on self I decided.
Drove home using my left leg and then went to After hours clinic for another assessment. All the while I only felt some slight cramping in my calf muscle. I thought I knew what it was due my Massage Therapy back ground, but desparetly wanted confirmation. Clinic was unable to determine due to lack of knowledge. Referred to FX Clinic at hospital 3 days hence.
Dr examined me and confirmed it was a rupture. Opted to perform surgery that evening, I accepted.
Done Aug 12th/08
Hard casted in full plantar flexion (toes pointed)for 6 weeks
Oct 2/08 Cast removed - No stitches only steri strips, made for the nice looking scar that was there. Alot of Vitamin E oil and the skin tissue was really starting to look good. Only took about 2 weeks in total off of work. I work as a Supervisor at a small MFG company in Ontario Canada
Walking is a must in my position. After cast came off, Dr. said no WB until I can get my ankle to min 90 degrees ROM. 4 days later, Oct 7/08 I was FWB. (I'm too damned stubborn to let a little surgery make me settle) Physio has been not too dificult albeit a pain just because of the swelling in my leg. Swelling that would start at 9am and last for the rest of the day, until I could use Ice/heat to reduce it. My ankle area would be so swollen that it looked like my calf muscle went right to my foot.
I kept walking on it and tried to make due with the ice/heat and physio for the next 5 weeks until..
FF to Nov 6th/08
At work handing something that weighed about 15 lbs between me and another employee, I dropped said item and it was going to land on my good foot, reactionary I moved my good foot, lifting it and twisting my leg out of the way - calling upon my injured achilles to work harder than it's had to and ended up partially re-rupturing at the original surgical site. - Go to the hospital and see the surgeon and confirms that it sounds like a re-rupture. I opt again for exploratoy surgery to find out the extent of damage.
Surgery done for repair of re-rupture done on Nov 11/08
This time surgeon used part of my plantaris tendon to lend more stability to the weak tendon.
Off work for rest of that week and then back to work week after for one week, then told to stay home until proper healing takes place.
In canada, we have Workmans Safety and Insurance, due to the 2nd injury happening at work I was able to take the time off and get 80% of my normal pay. I gladly accepted this route.
Plus it was the middle of winter and trying to traverse all the snow on crutches just wasn't something I was really wanting to do.
My Treatments had/have consisted of:
35 mins Laser Therapy
5-10 mins heat
5 mins massage with frictions.
Wobble boards (Round and Square)
3x 20 rotations each direction + each board
(my stipulation)
3x 20 Eversion, Inversion, dorsi flexion w/theraband
3x 20 secs soleus stretch<- most painfull of all exercises so far.
More recently doing:
2x 15 heel lifts (both legs)
1x 10 Single heel lift - whereas I lift on both heels, and remove good leg to come down slowly on injured side)
Single leg standing (being in TKD I use this time to practise basic kicking exercises with no pivoting movements) Helps with balance and proprioception. I am hopeful that I will be able to run a 5k this year, even it means doing it in the late fall or early winter. I do not expect to go back to tae kwon do this year. I will need to be able to have some great strength and power return to my leg before that. My indication will be a single leg squat. It has been one of the most dibilating injuries I've suffered through. But I am getting through it, 2nd time around I'm being much more responsible and careful, but still doing what needs to be done. I see lots of people at the hospital when I go for evaluations and at the Physio. I feel overall I'm doing not too bad, and I look forward to improving. I realize now that you really have to listen to your body and take the time to make sure you can actually do what you "think" you can do.
I am new to this site and extremely happy that I found it. I ruptured my left Achilles on February 2nd 2009 and had surgery on February 17th 2009. My wife was 8 months 3 weeks pregnant and there was no way I was letting my Achilles get in the way of that. Anyway, i was in an open splint for 4 weeks, a boot for 2 weeks, and now I'm in regular shoes with lifts with incredible stiffness in my calf and foot. My surgeon has been VERY conservative in allowing me to begin my rehab ( his take is 10 weeks after surgery). I am now walking with a very noticable limp and want to begin doing something to rehab now. i travel alot and had my first experience this week with my injury. I now really understand how far I have to go just to walk normally again. Thought i would share my experience with everyone. And thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Hi, my husband ruptured his Achilles last Friday. The surgeon has not opted for surgery so he is in a fibre glass cast for three weeks with his foot in an equine position, then three weeks semi equine then they'll take it from there. What is most concerning is the amount of pain he is experiencing. He is not a weak guy but he is crying whenever he has to be in any position other than lying down. Did anyone else experience such pain??
Karen, you had a real time of it! I always hated the crutches, almost slipped myself in the beginning. My surgery was Feb 17, and I am near 8 wks post op. I am walking w/boot on. I drive short distances, but change to tennis shoe in car. Going as good as can be, but it is hard when you are single, independent and on the go! Good luck to all in your recoveries.
Hi all,
very happy too to find a lot of information about AT rupture. I've just torn mine this Wednesday (yep on April's fool day!)
I'm scheduled to have surgery next week but I don't know why it's very difficult for me to know what the cost will be. I might have to pay upfront and then my insurance will pay me back. So I'm trying to have an idea of what the cost may be.
Please, if you have any idea of the price range, I would appreciate.
Thanks.
Lionel, it's going to be expensive, especially with no insurance. My out-of-pocket is around $2000, and that's with a preferred provider! I did have an overnite hospital stay because surgery was after 9pm, nonetheless, I was amazed at the costs involved. It'll be less if you are in and out same day, but be prepared for all the "hidden" costs/charges.
I ruptured my Achilles on Dec.31/09 (Happy New Year), and had surgery Jan.3.(I injured myself at the gym, where I have been working with a trainer for the last two years. I am also a runner, and I am 50 years old and female.) Went right into the "boot", with no lifts, crutched for five or six days, then was weight bearing with boot. Started physio six weeks after surgery, slow at first, towel scrunches, picking up marbles with my toes, theraband... worked into flexing ankle in both directions, and then doing stretches with shoe on,
standing up on tip toes, and toe drops. The boot came off April 5, hooray! Walking was a bit scary at first,but it gets better every day. Before the boot came off I was walking 3-4 times a week for an hour, I actually wore out the liner of the boot and had to replace it !!I think the key to healing is a positive outlook, wonderful friends and family help too, ( I am still not driving, that is a pain !), stay as active as possible, and listen to your doc and your physio. A good dose of patience helps too ! I think that six months is a realistic time frame for healing, I am not able to work for that amount of time as I am on my feet on uneven surfaces for three hours at a time, but i plan on enjoying the sun and making the best of a bad situation !!!Remember, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger !! Good luck to all of you , this to shall pass !!!
Nice realistic post Peg. I've read many a post on many different blogs over the past 2.5 months related to achilles ruptures and it seems many of them reek of large ego's. It seems many folks proudly post their milestones and it seems to always follow a slower conservative approach blogged in an earlier post. For 98% of us, this is an injury none have ever experienced. All we know is that it's like being struck by lighting. One minute we're in the middle of doing something we enjoy, and the next thing we know we become burdens to our entire family for months and have only our doctor to trust as to how we get back to normal in a timely fashion. Unfortunately surgery and the recovery, followed by rehab isn't an exact science. Only our doctors know in our particular cases what is best for us and that is all we can go on. Every case is different. My advise to anyone skimming this or any other blog looking for what to expect, is to trust your doctor who knows your injury better then anyone, don't get discouraged by other peoples recovery and most of all be patient. My particular injury took place on Feb 9 had surgery Feb 13. 4 weeks cast, 5 weeks boot with shims in the heel, which I removed one shim a week. My last shim comes out Monday and my boot comes off April 21. According to my doctor physical therapy will follow. Biggest challenge throughout as been the transition into the boot as I've dealt with swelling in the ankle area after being active during the day. Ice and elevation takes care of the swelling which usually feels good enough the following day to further push myself. I'm told it will be six months for a full recovery. Good luck to all trust your doctor and be patient.
This may ignite one of those faith versus reason discussions that never reach an agreement, but here goes.
In a previous note, Anonymous said, "Only our doctors know in our particular cases what is best for us and that is all we can go on." On what evidence it that statement based?
In the best of all worlds, all of our doctors would be expert in the many approaches that are taken in dealing with our broken tendons, and would pick the best one for us as an individual. The great faith that some people place in their doctors would be completely justified. That would be great, but we don't live in that world.
In this world, doctors do their residencies at a given medical center and learn the local ways of treating various problems. Some of those ways may be very good, while others may not be so good. Some doctors will go through their careers varying little from how they learned things during their residency, while some doctors on the other extreme will actively look around and learn new ways, getting closer to that ideal world.
I can't prove this statement, but I strongly suspect that the wide variation seen in how we are treated has much more to do with the doctor's habits than with the patient's individual situation. In other words, whether or not you are put into a cast for weeks after your surgery depends primarily on who your doctor is, and much less on the specifics of your injury.
Maybe someday good, convincing studies will be done, comparing casting for weeks against earlier activity, and how doctors treat us will then be based more on evidence and less on personal history and habit. Until that day comes, forums like this help us patients learn about what is going on out there in the wider world, and make more informed decisions about our recoveries.
Doug,
Do you sell advertizing on the blog you refer to? You act like I took food out of your mouth. I personally feel the protocol you've laid out for recovery is unrealistic for us normal folk. An orthopedic surgeon that still practices what he learned in residency is unrealistic also. In my recent world...the world of achilles rupture, something I never fathomed 2.5 months ago now revolves around a recovery period set forth by my doctor. A 25 year veteran who I wouldn't doubt forgot where residency even took place for him. I trust him whole heartedly and I would recommend to anyone out there experiencing this injury to contact a good doctor and put your faith in what he suggests for an adequate recovery and rehab regimen. I would not read stories similar to Doug's and get discouraged should your recovery take months longer then his or anyone else's for that matter.
Just a little update..... I have entered the world of freedom..... after seeing my physio last week, she gave me the OK to drive again. It is so wonderful to not rely on people for the smallest of things.
I think what we all need to remember is this... everyone heals differently, everyone comes into this injury not knowing what to expect,( unless you have had the misfortune of doing this for a second time. )IT is an injury that takes time, it is an injury that takes a whole lot of patience. I am just thankful I am half way there, the worst is over, and each day brings something a little better. I am also a realist, and I know that I am not yet healed, I have to be very careful and not get too cocky, I know I can re-rupture , and no thanks to that!!! I would hope that most doctors have our best interest in mind, and I trust my surgeon.... to this point, he hasn't given me any reason not too !!!
I may sound like a broken record, but listen to your doc, do your exercises, and keep a positive outlook.... a year from now , this will all be a distant memory !
Now, if the sun would only shine, things would almost be perfect !!!
Cheers!
I couldn't have said it better myself, Peggy!!
Patience, Attitude, Outlook, all plays a MAJOR part in this type injury. And not rushing, and being too anxious. I walked in and out of a store this past weekend and a restaurant today with sneakers(very, very slowly)and did just fine! Short stays, parked close, boot was on all other times during day. Tomorrow is exactly end of 8 weeks post op. And I realize that I still have a ways to go, even with this giant step! You do get there, thank goodness, and everyone is different. Range of motion exercises help a great deal, but only when Dr thinks you are ready (you can get those in more detail on web sites). Thanks for the great advice, and we all need to just hang in there and realize, this too shall pass. The knowledge we now have about this injury others will never know, although I'm not sure if that's good or bad! Keep smiling!!
Hello all,
I have to admire the faith everyone has in their doctors. I'll make one point which is based on evidence.
My doctor was concerned about the strength of my repair, and I'm no spring chicken at 53, and yet he had me stretching my tendon five days after surgery. He had me do this because he is an "early mobilizer" in the range of how doctors handle this injury. Going by what I read here, most doctors feel that's not safe at all, even in more favorable circumstances, and therefore immobilize legs in casts. Both positions can't be right.
Careful review of the medical studies that have compared the two approaches suggests that the early mobilizers may have it right:
http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/10/2202
The good news is that, after a year or so, it doesn't make much difference what approach your doctor takes. You will be healed and on your way.
Best wishes all,
Doug
I ruptured my achilles. It is great to read those who have gone through the same anguish as me. However the road to recovery does not have to be as arduous as what is made out by the site host. 3 days out of a cast im limping around. I hope to be back in full flight in 6mths. Please google Dan Carters from the All Black Rugby team & Russell Robertson from the Melbourne Demons Aussie Rules (AFL) team. They are progressing quicker than most on this site.
Great blog!
I ruptured my Achilles tendon on February 22, so it is 8 weeks now. I am female and 43 years old. I like to walk and do some fitness but do not do sports. I was running around BAREFOOT on the gym floor ignoring an unusual cramp in my calves when it popped.
I was interested to read the conservative approach from New Zealand because unlike most of you my surgeon chose not to operate. I had a fibreglass cast for 4 weeks with plantar flexion and then another cast for 3 weeks with pretty close to 90 degrees, no weight bearing of course with crutches. (was very hard on my wrist after a while) Now I got the Walker braces, and it is fixed at 0 degrees for 4 weeks. I managed to put weight on it the next day, and 3 days after I walk without crutches. It is tiresome but it is all right. I will start physio at week 11 only... But I take the braces off when I sit and move my ankle, massage it etc. The swelling is going down and it is getting pretty mobile. I do not have pain if I do not try to flex it. As I had no surgery I was always able to fully straighten my knee. My doctor suggested that I sleep in these boots which I tried for a few days but it is a torture, so I quit that. Keep you posted. Liza from Canada
I ruptured my AT on March 29, 2009 playing Flag Football. I was a receiver runnning routes. The quarterback said "Hut" and I took off. I tripped and felt a bang in the back of my foot. I though the guy behind me tripped me. I gave him a go to you know where look until he said he didn't touch me. Well ruptured the AT up high near the calf. Doc said it was pretty severe. Had surgery on April 14th to reattach. In a half cast for right now. I get the stiches out on Thursday, then another week in the cast. This is the first time for me on crutches and it absolutely sucks! This injury is aweful and the weather is getting beautiful. I'll keep eveyone informed with how it goes. Good luck to everyone!
I'm a new blogger here. I noticed that some were asking about anyone who has ruptured two- well I guess I take the cake. I am a reasonably fit 38 year old woman who made the mistake of thinking she was 28 on one fateful afternoon. I was in Cambodia when I had my accident. I did, in hindsight, a silly stunt when playing with some kids and ruptured both of my achilles. I live in Japan and so by the time I travelled home and got in to hospital, two weeks had passed before i got surgery.
From what I have been reading it sounds like my doctor is being quite aggressive with the rehab. I was casted for one month and now, two weeks after having the casts off I am standing in a simple brace and using crutches to move around. There hasn't been much of anything else done, I check in with my doctor once a week, and progress as I can between visits. When I stand, I must bear all of my weight because it is both sides. I am a foreigner here so I suppose I wonder often- is this normal? I get swelling and stiffness at the end of the day, but is this harmful?
I am understanding that having two legs compromised is not normal but I am hoping for a complete recovery as I am quite active and love sport and dance.
I am writing to see if any advice is out there for my situation. I don't want a rerupture, obviously, and many of you have quite successful stories. If you have any advice for me I'd appreciate it.
I tore my achilles on April 2, 2009 an surgery on April 9. I was in a full cast for a full week and I have been in a partial since April 15. The stitches were left in and they will be removed tomorrow 4/22/09. I still cannot put any pressure on my foot and am still experiencing some minor swelling if I don't elevated enough, which is a pain, but a necessity. It is my right foot so not being able to drive is killing me. I am a very independent person so having others have to do so much stuff for me is nuts. I am hoping to be in a walking boot by next week.
I do have a question to anyone who may know. How long before I drive again since I did injure my right foot?
Hi KC,
I sprained both my knees skiing a few years ago: the only positive thing I can tell you about injuring both legs at the same time: you will not hobble lopsided, as you can not lean on the good leg to give a break to the bad one over using your good leg. Just do not overdo it; put your leg up a lot, supposedly the circulation in tendons is always poor which makes healing slow. By the way I went back to skiing a year later. So patience!
Alexis,
Yes I find this injury is psychologically very hard... most of us are active people, cherish our independence - and that is taken away now. I was mortified not even being able to take a glass of water to the next room for myself with 2 crutches. It was the most trying 7 weeks...
I would love to know when I will be able to drive finally, as my doctor told me I should wear the braces for 8 weeks more, and it is my right leg, so that means 4 months of no driving for me being stuck in my house??
Lisa from Canada
I can hardly find examples for cases like mine when the doctor chose not to operate.
I am 43 and very healthy (do not do sports though) I wonder being a female and "old" was the reason for no surgery??
But the conservative treatment for me is lengthy: 7 weeks in cast + 8 weeks in braces!
Why?
I am trying to view the two rehab protocols that are mentioned above but the links don't seem to work. Can someone re-post the links or tell me how to get them?
Thank you
Alexis, Good luck to you. In my case, I was driving at about 2 months after surgery (right tendon). So it really depends on how well you heal and can begin to put some pressure on it. I've been there, very independent as well, and have said many times that depending on others and not being able to go as I please was the worse! You'll get there, but you have to be patient.
Hi Alexis,
"funny" as I torn mine on 4/1/09 (yep, not a good April's fools day for me!).
I also find that the most "painfull" thing to deal with is to ask for a lot of small things that I used to do. And same as Anonymous, not even being able to carry a glass of water or a plate for myself. And even worse how long it takes just to go down some stairs (even my grand-father goes faster than me!!).
hi ladyjewels, in fact, just for the hospital fees, they asked me $2000! And it was not even counting the staff fees and the surgeron!!!
So eventually, I went back to my country (France) and got it there "almost for free" compared to the US.
I have a question though, my foot is also swelling a lot this past couple days, how high our foot has to be? Is there a "right/perfect" level?
What is the most important thing we can easily do to heal better/faster? (if there is. And abviously not trying to run 2 weeks after the surgery!).
Thanks and always good to read the posts.
Hey, Lionel! Glad I could help, you did the right thing by going back and getting it done cheaper. as long as you had someone good and experienced. I owe the $2000 out of pocket, no matter what! I must say I am happy with how I'm progressing, my Dr has 38 yrs of experience with this so that makes me at least want to make sure he gets paid!! LOL
My update: This past Tuesday was end of 9 weeks for me, and I am driving short distances, walking w/boot (at times I do walk w/2 sneakers if short walk, regular shoes still too tight) and I'm doing the range of motion exercises about 3/4 times a day. It still feels stiff and uncomfortable at times, swells a little the more I walk/stand, but once i'm off of it and ice it when it's bad, I do just fine. Dr has assured me it is healing properly, thank goodness. Last thing I want to do is overdo it. Leg must be elevated higher than heart is what they say. I think that helps a great deal, I kept mine elevated for the 1st 2 months, even when just watching TV I propped it up. I still do, but not as frequently now, and I do not sleep in boot any longer. And I iced it alot too in the beginning and still do when necessary. I'm just so glad to be able to be out and about, on my own again! Still very careful, because of what I know now about this type of injury, and how helpless I felt in the beginning. Take care.
I'm just one more of many who have done this injury recently, luckily I live in Canada and did not have to pay for treatment.
For Alexis - I drove for first time at 11 weeks after surgery - I think the test is would you be able to put your foot down hard on the brake if you had to.
For Lionel - my physiotherapist says that the latest thinking is to elevate your 'toes above your nose' for half an hour three times a day.
Hope this helps.
Alexis,
about elevating leg:
I found a great position on the couch: lay down on it to read etc. and put your foot on top of the backrest way "higher than your nose".
I had to do this as long as I had the cast on otherwise it was swelling terribly.
ladyjewels,
great to read your post. Looks like it's a long road we all in. Almost two months to walk by myself... well if I have to wait, I have no choice! I'll be alright though!
So even now, your foot is still swollen, it felt weird for me when I saw mine that big,
Hey Anna, thanks for the tip, I'm trying to elevate my foot but i think i'm not doing a great job, even when i'm watching tv or eating i don't (just because i'm on the table. I'll find the way anyway now!
And yes Anonymous, I found out too that the backrest couch is a great position to be in. PERFECT LEVEL!
Too sleep, I also use a small "cushion/pillow". It works well.
Take care all.
ladyjewels,
My surgery was 4/9/09 and the full cast was removed on 4/15. I have been exercising and icing the foot and I am actually able to put some pressure on the foot with very little pain. I stretch it 3 times a day for 15 minutes by pointing my toe up as far as it will go and hold for 20 seconds and then down and I push down on the foot with my left leg for a count of 15. As soon as I am done exercising, I immediately massage my entire foot and lightly rub around the back of my leg around the stitches to get blod and everything moving and circulating in their. I am doing this after getting advice from a friend of mine who is a trainer for the US Olympic soccer team. He told me that the earlier I can start moving my foot after surgery the better I will be on the long run. He warned about feeling so good that some may overdue it and will try to walk and take off, which if course could result in a setback.
Hopes this helps someone.
Pretty good advice Anonymous.
My foot specialist in the US told me the same thing, to use the foot earlier than later for a better recovery.
On the same note, is it the only thing we can do to have a quicker recovery?
Hello, all. I got my membership card on 4/9/09, Good Friday (ironic, no?). I guess I'm the perfectly average specimen for this injury. I'm 38 years old, and have been getting more and more out of shape for the past 10 years (hitting 210 pounds, on a light 6'0 frame). I recently decided to get off the couch and join a three man team for the Make-A-Wish Triathlon in Bethany Beach, this coming September. I bought a road bike to help train the cardio, and started to build up my swimming, as that was to be my leg of the race.
Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. I was feeling pretty good after dropping about 15 pounds, and decided to teach my 15 yr old nephew a thing or two about hoops. He still needs someone to teach him these lessons, as I ended up on the asphalt, with that familiar POP most of us have come to know.
I had surgery on 4/13/09, and was in a splint/ace wrap for two weeks. I'm now in the walking boot, NWB, and will be for about 4 weeks. I must admit I'm anxious to begin rehab, yet I have some trepidation as well. It's great to read about other's successful rehab stints, as this helps bolster my confidence.
I've seen the many different approaches to rehab, as well as the opinions as to which is too conservative, or too aggressive. I have to believe that the variations are dependent on severity of the injury, and also the school of thought that the doctors were trained in. Perhaps some doctors are too conservative in their schedules, but I suspect that could be from the litigious society we live in today, where doctors are sued because things don't go perfectly.
At this point, I'm sick of being chauffered around, and I would take great joy in watching my couch burn!! The thing that keeps me following doctor's orders is the fear of re-injury, as many others have mentioned.
I'll try to update my progress as I go. Congrats to those who have completed rehab and are back to 'normal'. Looking forward to the end of this long journey myself...
Thanks, Anonymous! I thought I was doing good, u got me beat! You helped me with the tip from the trainer, tomorrow will be 10 wks exactly from date of my surgery, i'm gonna try what you are doing as well. We all are helping each other out as these Drs don't have time to share such good advice.
Drew, you made me laugh with your post! We all know how bad this is and what setbacks we are dealing with, but when you find the humor in the situation, and take the attitude that you are taking, it makes things better and easier. I get MAD when people focus on the negative aspects, and I shut them up by not going there with them. Seems like they want me to say "Oh My God, this is horrible", or "Poor Me"! I don't feed into the negative, and it seems like I'm doing better with this than those who have never experienced it (Go Figure)!! So keep up the good spirit (don't burn the couch cause you still need it for now, but take it out back, if you must!) Hang in there, Dude!!
it's easy to maintain a happy mood when you're giddy on Vicadin!! ;)
I ruptured mine 100% on Feb 26th 2009. I was into Krav Maga Martial arts and was towing my sparring partner across the room when it felt like someone kicked me. i actually turned around to see who was behind me. Right away i felt for my tendon and it wasn't there. Bummer to say the least.
I had surgery 1 day after injury and was fitted with a cast for 10 days. At 10 days, stitches came out and i was placed into a boot. I started PT at 4 weeks.
I was deathly afraid to take off my boot or to even move my foot. The PT assured me it was okay and we proceeded. That was a milestone day for me!!!!!! My doc made me think my leg would explode if i did anything without the boot but i think he believed i was going to push it pretty hard if he didn't scare me. Probably a smart move.
i wore the boot until 7 weeks at which time i started to wear tennis shoes with a small heel lift. My doc said i should wear the boot to 10 weeks then ditch it but pushed it a little due to the PT telling me i was okay for short periods. I was FWB at 5 weeks post op in the boot without any pain. Today i am at 9 weeks and i wear a tennis shoe for a few hours per day and put the boot on for some relief. I have been doing PT once per week. The doc said i can try shoes for periods at a time at about 8 weeks. I have been doing my exercises religiously. I still have some ankle swelling at 9 weeks which i am told is normal. (mainly in front on my shins) which is weird.
This injury really sucks. I am 40 yrs old and this is my first major deal. I am starting to believe that moving it soon is better. My calf looks as normal as the other at this point. i have a slight limp but am already doing calf raises without a problem. 80 per day and riding the stationary bike. I think i had a good surgeon and a good PT.
Still have some pain on my upswing during walking but its going away more and more every day. At 10 weeks i am supposed to be in shoes and walking. No running or high impact until after 7-8 months. i can live with that if it means never having to do this again. What this injury taught me was that i am NOT indestructable. it's humbling being helpless and on crutches. The mental ability it takes to get thru this is almost as hard as the injury. I was truly beside myself with anger and "why me". I think you learn alot from this and realize it's NOT as bad as some people have it. It's brought my thinking around a bit. We will all get better. The body heals at different paces.
It's been 3 weeks from 'The Day'. I've been in a boot for about 10 days now. I'm starting to think I may need a smaller boot, as my calf is showing significant atrophy already. It's hard to get the straps tight enough to keep it from wiggling around, and it feels like I could almost slip my foot right out.
I was curious to see if anyone else has had similar issues. I'm getting more and more anxious to start rehab, to stop this loss of muscle strength. beuhler....... beuhler....???
Drew,
My 3 week post op was yesterday and I am not in a boot yet. I think my doctor is being super cautious, but I feel like I can do more than I am able to. I hate having to count on others to do things especially drive (Hurt right foot). I still get some swelling since I am back at work and can't really elevate the foot much their. I am continuing to do my exercises and will get my boot with the heel insert next Wednesday (5/6), which doesn't look like much fun.
I am doing front and side leg lifts to strengthen my thigh muscles though as they are loosing strength.
Hi guys,
I'll come back in the US shortly to have my rehab (after wearing a boot for 3 weeks and a new one for another 3 weeks).
So I'm just wondering how much will be the rehab (pretty much) if someone has an idea?
Thanks
Hey, Alexis. Sounds like we are in the same boat. same foot, same timeline, same frustration!
I don't seem to be losing much in my quads or hammies, but my calf is definitely losing mass.
I know what you mean about having others do everything for you. It's funny how you look forward to the very small things right now. Being able to actually shower was definitely a milestone after surgery. Driving is another big one for me.
I tore my achilles tendon on 4/15/09 - Quite painful when it happened. I had surgery the following day, and am in a walking boot, but still on crutches. I am hearing all sorts of approaches to PT. I am scheduled to begin PT at 4 weeks. does anyone know how long after wb on the boot, your calf muscles come back. Also, how long before you can play golf???
I am not sure if anyone has tried them yet, but I just got a pair of the donjoy ergonomic crutches. They are amazing. there is a spring in the bottom of them so you don't feel any vibration or strain. The padding is also pretty soft so you don't get any pressure on your ribs.
Anonymous,
You had surgery on 4/15 are in a walking boot already? WOW!
I had surgery on 4/9 and just got my walking boot with the heel insert today. It will have my foot at a 90 degree angle toes pointing down. The doc states I will be in this boot for 12 weeks and I am to come back every 2 weeks to have an insert removed, which eventually it will have my foot flat inside the boot. He wants me to only put 20 to 30 percent pressure on the foot and still use crutches and slowly increase the amount of pressure that I put on my foot daily.
Javier
I just want to thank everyone for their posts. It definitely makes me feel better about this tough injury. I am 29 years old and in good health. I ruptured my right achilles tendon playing basketball on 4/15/09. I was in a weekly league and I was playing zone and guarding a guy on the 3 point line. I moved slightly to get closer to him and I hear a loud POP. Immediately the pain came to the bottom of my heel and I knew something was terribly wrong. Like many others I turned around when it happened but no one was near me. I went to the emergency room and they confirmed the bad news. I had surgery 1 week later on 4/22/09. I opted for the general anesthesia instead of having the spinal block. I didn't want any nerve complications. After surgery the pain was unreal. However, the hospital (NYU hospital for joint disease) did a fantastic job of managing the pain and a few hours after surgery I felt fine and left that same day. I was initially put in a half cast/splint to allow for swelling. I was back at work (I work on a trading floor) 5 days later. The key is to follow the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) principal as much as possible for the 1st 3 weeks. This is crucial for both healing and the pain. 2 weeks postop and 3 weeks after the initial injury I had my stitches out and the boot on. The boot hurt pretty bad when I put my foot into it. I have a few heal lifts and my doctor said that in another 2 weeks (4 weeks postop) she would try to get me to 90%. She said she was being a little less aggressive since the tear was not "clean". I had a few frayed pieces of tendon so she wants me to be a bit careful. overall the boot is much much better than the cast. If you have the option go for the boot. I am still on crutches and still in the NWB stage but the boot does allow for some increased stability as you can plant the tip of boot for balance. For me the hardest part is the little things. Getting a glass of water, getting lunch, trying to carry anything is impossible. I carry a backpack and this has been my savior. I wear in my apartment as well to move things from room to room. Luckily, i don't need to drive but for those of you who live in a big city (I'm in Manhattan) you know how hard it is to catch a cab or get around especially during rush hour. I am still unsure on when to start PT. I guess it is up to the doctor but mine said roughly 6 weeks was the right time to start. She said the main thing was for me to start moving and stretching the tendon so as not to have it get tight because once that happens it you might never get full mobility back. So even though it hurt to stretch the tendon and get into the boot at a closer angle to 90% it is for the best in the long run. I too have been concerned about atrophy in my calf and also my quads. I was advised to simply flex my leg while in a seat position and hold it for 10 seconds several times a day to try and keep the muscle working. I have to say mentally this injury is a major challenge. Initially, I was in shock and just very down on myself. I had been home for 10 days straight (except for the doctor visits) and it was driving me insane. Coming back to work helped a lot because it took my mind off of the injury. I would recommend people stay busy as much as possible. Otherwise, this injury can make you depressed. Just "graduating" to the boot made me very excited and although it is a small step it feels like progress. I am encouraged by some of you who have already begun walking around 2-3 months postop. I hope I can join the club, although the main thing is to listen to your body. The last thing anyone wants to do is relive this. Quick question, should I be massaging my bad calf? I'm kinda afraid of touching that area a lot. Anyway, good luck to everyone and stay positive. I truly believe that staying positive allows your body to heal faster!! Good luck and if anyone has any comments/suggestions I would appreciate it. Will keep everyone posted with progress. Cheers!!
Good Job, Javier, and Welcome to the Club!!
I have read through all the posts here and while there is a wealth of information I believe that there is one vital piece of information missing.....THE COST! Either everyone here is filthy rich or has A-1 insurance. Unfortunately I have neither. I ruptured my Achilles today and I am sh*tt*ing bricks at to how much it will cost and how the hell I am going to be able to pay for this procedure. Not to talk of my job that requires me to stand 75% of the time. Forget sports, walking with a limp and other bits of minutia like that. I am worried about how am I going to be able to make a living and even worse if I can even come up with the money to take care of this. My insurance is shyte and I am already in debt. This is the worst thing that could have happened to me at the worst possible time, I am sooo screwed. Please if anyone out there can give me a ballpark as to how much a procedure like this would cost out of pocket, cheers.
Donkeythong,
check out this link:
http://achillesblog.com/lpfristensky/
and the comments, too. It might be helpful.
Good luck!
This is my second go-round with achilles surgery...a lot tougher at 56 than at 31. Had surgery 1-16-09. 7weeks in a hard cast.Did the physical therapy thing for 2 months now...still going . It's painfull, but the truth is no matter what you do ....it's going to take almost a year to be at full playing and accelerating strength and speed. Trust me,Ive been this route before.The key is,do the therapy (3x a week,including sretching,whirlpool,manipulation,ultrasound,band stretching,bosu-ball pliometrics,stationary bike and ice
Oh, Im a teaching tennis pro, and former semi-pro quarterback. Let's just say that this has really cramped my style...do all the PT, be prepared for a year's full recovery time,to get back to full range of motion and acceleration. Hang tough.
Marc
New Jersey
I am 4.5 weeks post-rupture and just wondering if my rehab is too fast!! Am 36yr old female PE teacher (although not that fit!) Just returned from my first PT session, which by the way was excruciating, but then I am a wimp.
Fully ruptured AT playing touch rugby on April 9th. Had surgery less than 24hours later and was put in the full splint, and then 2 weeks later, the half cast. Changed doctors 4 days later who cut the cast off and put me in the CAM boot (or moonboot as I so lovingly call it). The boot was moved to the neutral angle last Friday (4 weeks post-op) and I was already able to walk on it without crutches. Today I can walk on it slowly without boot or crutches although I only took a few steps. PT had me drop a crutch tonight and Dr says I should be fully weight bearing by the end of next week if I do all my exercises. I can actually balance on it now.
Anyway, my leg feels fine, a little weird when I flex the foot up, but it feels strong and well on its way to recovery. Is anyone else following a similar treatment plan, or does mine sound way too fast.
Any info would be really appreciated. This injury definitely sucks especially as I have 2 energetic toddlers running around my feet. Good luck everyone.
Michelle, First you are not a wimp at all. It does sound like your doctor is taking a very aggresive approach to this since you stated that you are only 4 weeks out of surgery and already fully weight bearing. I commend you, but am scared for you as this may actually be to fast and can do more damage than good.
Myself, I had surgery on 4/9(Right Leg)and was just placed in a walking boot with the heel insert last week. I was told that I had to wear this for 8 weeks with an insert being removed every 2 weeks. I am taking the cautious approach, but I want to let this thing heal properly. I do take advice from a friend of mine who trains professional athletes and he provided the boot for me, so I know that they would not steer me wrong.
I have no idea when I will start P.T, but am okay with my progress so far as my leg feels like it is getting stronger everyday.
Michelle,
I wouldn't worry. A recent medical article reviewed the medical studies that actually compared faster vs. slower rehab, and the faster rehab was actually safer. For what it's worth, my rehab was faster, (in my shoes and walking around by four weeks, calf holding up my body weight at eight weeks), and I'm doing fine.
Doug, I'd be curious to see that study. Can you post a link? My surgeon was of the cautious ilk and after fighting it for a long time finally gave in and have been going real slow. I am 4.5 months post op and yesterday was the first time I was on my bike (I was riding at the gym, not quite the same). Still limping a bit and it gets quite sore if I walk on it for too long, but fortunately no real pain. Good luck to all you out there!
David,
The review is at:
http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/10/2202
I'm with you, David. It has been 3months and I'm just now feeling ok with walking with flats or tennis shoes, and really slow and leary at that. Foot still swells and I still have to elevate at nite and put ice on it at times. So those who are way ahead of where I was at 4 wks I am surprised that they are not having any issues, I wasn't ready then for sure. But I guess its all in the approach. I would appreciate it if someone could point me to some web site or tips on the PT part, I cannot afford any more out of pocket and co-payments so I am trying to do my own PT. Any help would be grateful.
Ladyjewels
Thanks for the replies. I will definitely read the article Doug as I too have heard and read that the quicker the surgery and rehab, the better. Just wondering though, those who are taking a much slower approach, can you actually put your full weight on it without pain or problem, but are being cautious? Or are you still physically unable to bear full weight due to pain/problems/weakness of ankle area? Just wondering if our individual situations do actually impact our rate of rehab compared to the treatment we are each receiving.
DonkeyTHONG
If cost is an important issue, maybe going without surgery is the way.
Of course if your job involves standing up, there is no way to work, you will probably be in cast for a minimum of 6 weeks. But...
I tell you my experience:
I am 43 years old female, not athletic but in good shape. My doctor decided not to operate. I was in cast for 4 weeks with pointed toes, then another cast for 3 weeks with closer to right angle for my foot (no weight bearing). It was psychological torture not to be able to move, be helpless with crutches (but it is not much shorter after surgery either)and have to put my feet up most of the day.
But after that I got braces for 4 weeks (I had to pay $200 for those), with which I could walk, though not far. And now the braces are off, I have no scar, no pain, but of course have to do physiotherapy to gain my muscles back.
I am surprised most people on this blog had surgery. The studies are not conclusive, you can heal without it as well.
I saw one blogger here, an athlete from New Zealand, who had no surgey, was in "moonboot" for up to 8 weeks. He ruptured his in January, I wonder how he is doing?
I found this article that shows that after a 6 month study, there are no advantage to early weight bearing versus non-weight bearing.
http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/9918/the_benefit_of_early_weightbearing_after_surgery_for_achilles_tendon.html
Hello, all. Been a while since i wrote. nothing relly new to report. still supposed to be NWB, while in my boot. i went from 30 degrees to 15 degrees last week, and in another week or so, all the way to zero (normal angle ).
after catching up on some posts, i just wanted to comment on some.
Javier - i rub and massage my calf and foot all the time, as it itches and tingles. i think it helps blood flow and it makes me feel like there is SOMETHING i can do!
also, i've come to the conclusion that the amount of time before, and the agressiveness of the rehab varies from person to person because of the nature of their injury. My tendon frayed pretty bad, so my doc wants to go slow to let it heal. more to heal, more time needed. for those with a clean break or tear, the heling may go faster, thus they start rehabbing faster.
I have to say that i'm going with my doc's advice, no matter how frustrating it is. while i'm no dummy, i didn't go to med school, and i've been thru this one time. he's seen hundreds of these. just some food for thought :)
hope this finds you all in good spirits. it's tough to stay positive some days, but there have been lots of people get through this before us. we can do it, too.
Anonymous said, "I found this article that shows that after a 6 month study, there are no advantage to early weight bearing versus non-weight bearing."
True enough. No matter how atrophied and stiff one gets, it eventually gets better. If I can be a smart alec for a moment, though, you could also say we'll all be dead in a hundred years, so why bother staying healthy now?
Most of us would like to be healthy again sooner rather than later, done with the casts and the crutches and the boots, maybe not missing that long-planned vacation, or other special event (or just ordinary events!) in our lives. Some of our families, like mine, already have too heavy a caregiving load, and simply cannot handle the additional load for very long. More everyday caregiving, like raising young children, also suffers with longer rehabs.
Gene, who just posted about the blood clot in his leg on another part of this site, will, with just a little luck, be fine in six months, too. Immobilization is a known risk factor for such blood clots, so earlier mobilization may have prevented this significant and potentially dangerous complication. I'm sure he would rather have avoided his complication, if possible.
Earlier mobilization makes sense economically, too. Overall health costs can be kept down if doctor and physical therapy visits don't go on for months.
Therefore, I find little comfort in "no advantage" after six long months.
Hey All,
I emailed my cousin who is a physiotherapist in New Zealand (physical therapist). I asked him a number of questions relating to my rehab programme and he came back with what I think is excellent advice and information. I know we are all at different stages, different levels of injury and completely different doctors (hell I'm even in a different country....Taiwan!), but I wanted to share his insight and hope it helps some of you with peace of mind of what's to come over the next few weeks.
Michelle
Bummer to hear about the ruptured TA. I bumped into your dad at the fruit store and he told me the unfortunate news. He said you were at the time in a full leg cast. I thought that was a tad hard core if it was above the knee. From what you say in the email it was just a splint for post surgical procedures. Sounds reasonable but a bit OTT. The general rule with ruptured TA's is if you get to the hospital in less than 48 hours you can opt to go non-surgical and put in a below knee cast to let natural scarring from the inflammatory response do its thing over 8 weeks. (4-6 wks cast and 4 weeks boot. Anything later that 48 hours requires surgery as the calf muscle tends to retract as it has an elastic property. No worries getting it surgically repaired. There is divided opinion out there. ie no op means no risk of infection, less cost to the health system, and if you are not athletic everyone gets a cast for 8 weeks. I wonder what I would do in your situation if it was me. I think the op gives you the chance to have a good 'length-tension' to the calf muscle/achilles tendon complex ie it should resemble something like the original length later as opposed to a cast for 8 weeks that guarantees a shortened achilles tendon from good ole immobilisation. I think you are never quite the same athletically. Trouble is you need immobilisation for 8 weeks regardless to give it any hope of joining together.
Tendon healing is reasonably the same over the whole body. I ruptured a finger tendon last yr playing basketball and was in a finger splint for 6-8 weeks. I had a recheck at 6 weeks and it was droopy but 2 weeks later it was stronger as a join. Amazing what 2 extra weeks did. After 4 months the tendon was strong-ish, after 6 months strong, after 9 mths-1 yr it is as good as it is gonna get. Regarding your achilles being operated on. It gives you a chance for early mobilisation but be careful walking in bare feet until you are told otherwise. (less than 5 weeks right?) Still held together with sutures and a bit of weak scar tissue (6-8 weeks for tendon union but it is weak). Think 12-16 wks it will be 'strong-ish', 5 months light jogging perhaps & 6 months jogging and running. 3 months is kinda nice to think about as a goal but I think what is the rush. That gives you 6 weeks from now to get it strong enough to run on (running & sports can be 2-5 times your body weight through the legs!). Not saying it is impossible but I don't tend to give patients that kind of confidence ie 3 months. Surgeons love bragging about early return to sport aye? More like 6 months and beyond. I don't think Dan Carter is playing on the next Ab's tour...and he has all day to train. He will be jogging at 4-5 months but playing after 6 most probably. Strengthening is more like 4 weeks for neural changes and 5 weeks+ for muscle hypertrophy and that is just the beginnings (remember PE days? :) ). If you are 5 weeks. That gives you 7 weeks of strengthening to be able to run at 12 weeks (but the muscle only has begun to strengthen for the last 2 weeks)
Your mum told me on Sunday she had a partial rupture. Lets say 70%- that means 30% is still connected so that she will return to recreation earlier than someone who fully ruptures their TA. Your TA should be fine but let it come right when it does. Think of return to sport mini-goals rather than basing it on generalised time frames of programs.
General advice for functional rehabilitation would be:
1) achieve full calf/TA flexibility or at least ~80% of the good leg.
2) achieve ability to two leg calf raise off ground eg 3x20 reps
3) progress to one leg calf raises off ground, then to off stairs 2 legs, then onto one leg off stairs etc
4) be able to perform power two leg calf raises progressing to one leg (power is quick repetitions upwards)
5) progress to jumping to hopping, throw in one leg balance exercises eyes closed 30sec up to a minute
6) return to jogging program - run/walk program.
7) sports specific training
8) return to sports
Remember you gotta be careful about those explosive sports when we all get older aye? I'm sticking to jogging - am slow anyway so the risk of rupture for me is nil ;)
The deep tissue massage is ok I guess but hurting like a bastard? I am kinda soft and easy going on patients mostly. The calf will be tight and achy cos it wants to be tight to hold the tendon tear together ie spasm. Talk to them and find a happy balance I guess. Like going to a masseuse aye? Deep tissue may come later when spasm is a nuisance and it prevents stretching the tendon. They might be light and you just think it is tough cos you are injured.
Overall I think the surgery is the way to go for the fit people and it gets you moving faster ie 6 weeks not 8 weeks. Probably less scar tissue build up also but expect heaps anyway. Early weightbearing is good to add a controlled stress to the tendon (once it is joined). Hopefully rubberband calf resisted exercise will be given to you in early stages. Swim, bike perhaps 6 week mark at earliest (8 for non-surgical). I don't want to responsible for people getting in trouble swimming ie getting in/out of pool and pushing off the wall with feet (don't dare do that and use the good leg to push off the wall). pool walking when the physio says will be great (slowly!). Non-surgicals are walking in a boot from about 6 weeks ,and after 8 weeks or so they are in shoes with a ~one inch buildup. So expect to walk slight earlier than them.
Try to not take to much info from internet forums as who the hell knows who they are and what they are preaching. Pinch of salt theory I guess. Depends on what you mean by walking ie putting one foot in front of the other or actually walking with no limp. Just worry about functional goals like I explained. Walking will take care of itself. Once you can perform 2 leg calf raises off the ground progressing to one leg calf raise off the ground - walking is a piece of piss. Running is the slow bit. You need to get flexibility of bringing your knee forwards over your 2nd toe before walking & running feels good without pulling up the calf.
Hopefully this alleviates the phobias. I worried a lot about my finger and everyone told me I was soft. No-one cares unless they get the injury themselves aye?
Great Website..Thanks..I have a few comments, realizing of course everyone's injury can be different. I ruptured (almost full rupture) occurred February 23rd/09'-The doctor whom I saw on a cruise ship -told me it was a bad sprain) Unfortunately I had the diagnosis of a rupture and surgery 4 weeks later by my doctor on land Had surgery 3/25 I was placed in a hard cast after surgery, I was a good patient and kept the leg up no weight bearing-but 10 days after surgery got an infection and 2 weeks later needed to be hospitalized to treat a nasty infection. They drained, reopened wound/cleaned it out and was placed on I.V antibiotics in the hospital for 8 days. I am active healthy, in decent shape, but had bad luck with the healing process. My advice-it is very important to avoid ANY weight on the leg the first few weeks. Also**suggest to the doctor if you get a hard cast for them to cut a window in the area of the surgery, so that you can change the gauze and dressing. This is good for 2 reasons. The area where the surgery is, naturally rubs up against the cast-the stitches can get irritated and cause inflamation/ and or infection-this window will give it breathing room. I don't care how careful you are there is always some light weight and friction placed on the affected leg (showering, bathroom etc.) Insist on a cast change shortly after surgery to make sure you are healing O.K. It is somewhat common to get an infection in this area, because after surgery this area of the leg blood is unable to flush the wound. I am currently in a Cam walker and doing ok. When I got the Cam Walker I found it much more comfortable to get heal raising pads in. I begin physical therapy in a few days. I'm going to choose a moderate therapy, but easing my way into recovery. I hope this was helpful for anyone. I have no regrets getting the surgery, because otherwise I would have had a permanent and noticeable limp. After surgery chill out and ask for help-You will need crutches for everything.
Hi, I must admit that I am feeling very depressed reading all of these comments. I "partially" ruptured my achilles tendon in January playing soccer. I am or was (before this injury) a very fit 43 year old. Because I only experienced a partial rupture, surgery did not even appear as an option. Yet, here I am 5 months later still in an Achilles Vacoped walking boot. The heel has been reduced over time from 30 degrees to 15 degrees and is now finally at 0 but I still have an evident tear (according to ultrasound #4)and it is not yet clear when the boot will come off. I am waiting for the results of an MRI I had last week so that the surgeon can tell me how to proceed. I am hoping that the boot will come off by the end of May. Long story short is that unlike all that I have read, a partial tear can actually be much worse than a full tear and is more likely to be weaker moving forward. If I have any advice to impart to those of you reading this (especially the Canadians out there), it is to try and see an orthopaedic surgeon emmediately for a second opinion. If I could restart the process, I would insist on an MRI on the first day (rather than an ultrasound) and seriously consider an operation even for a partial tear. Summer is coming and I am trying to plan a holiday. Would love some advice on potential activities and how likely it will be that I'll be able to hike or bike. Cheers.
Just from previous comments, and thanks to all of you for your comments/opinions, non-surgical seems to heal slower and not as great as surgical, so you will be concerned forever. Not that I am any expert or any better than others, I am at 3 mos post operative last Tuesday, and almost back to walking normal in sneakers or low shoes (still feels tight at times, and still swells by end of day, but bearable and able to manage w/out pain and discomfort, without any professional PT, I am doing the range of motion and strenghthening exercises on my own for now due to the large out of pocket expenses i've already incurred). Driving in local commuting area, getting better and back to normal every day (still VERY careful, I live in SoFL where we have those driving rules from other countries to deal with, on top of regular rules of the road!). Positive: At least you know to be concerned and to take it easy. And you don't have the scar that comes with surgical procedure. But having that more at ease feeling is all worth it. In fact, it seems like the rehab process is longer than non surgical according to some. Those that had surgery will also be more aware of dangers, but with less cause than those who decided against it. I wasn't given an option and now after researching, I'm glad I wasn't. I'm sure your MD's experience matters (mine 28 yrs) and from time of rupture until surgery makes a big difference as well. Hope everyone heals quickly,, whatever option you decide, so you can regain your independence back as soon as possible!
Ladyjewels
I am 6 weeks post op and am actually doing what I would consider very well. I am in a boot with a heel insert as some have mentioned here and I am scheduled to have an insert removed tomorrow, which according to my doctor would leave me with another 6 weeks in the boot. I will be speaking to him because I can already walk with little to no pain at without the boot and I have even tried driving (Hurt Right Foot) and was very succesful. I did use my left foot to brake at first, but am gradually using the right foot more as the time goes by. Not sure if I am going way too fast or am I okay at the pace that I am going.
Hi, I am 6 weeks post op too...well will be in a couple of days. I also have a doctors appointment this week where I suspect he will tell me I can start to take the boot off. I've been at a neutral angle for 2 weeks now and can walk around barefoot a bit. I am going to opt to keep the boot on for another couple of weeks though, at least, as I am not feeling ready to go it alone yet. My tendon feels fine, it's just my confidence. I have been doing more walking than I probably should (have two young children and a job that requires me to stand a lot) so have had a lot of swelling. I am completely over this injury though. The lack of mobility, the swelling, the icing, the exercises and the moonboot will not be missed at all when this is all over. I'm not really that cranky about it, but it does feel good to say it out loud doesn't it.
i got the go-ahead from the doc to start walking without crutches. still have my clown shoe, but it is definitely easier getting around. my heel has been sore, and my other ankle is sore now too. It tends to hurt when i kick myself with the boot!
looking forward to next week, i may get the boot off if the pain goes away over the next several days. not sure i'm ready to take the boot off, mentally. physically, my doc says the tendon is ready. I guess we all have that nagging doubt about whether it's strong enough, but we have to just jump in and see.
hope everyone had a nice memorial day weekend. thanks to all you vets reading this.
Hi Drew, I ruptured my AT the same date as you and seem to be on the same time frame. The doctor let me drop the crutches on Friday and said I could take the boot off when not teaching. I think I overdid it over the weekend and my leg felt swollen and tender a lot. Monday was the first day my leg felt really strong and I was walking around with no problems. I even got back on the stationary bike today and yesterday. The lack of muscle makes pedaling very difficult. My tendon still feels a bit tender to touch at the site and the top of the scar is feeling stings a bit to touch. Does anyone else have this? Will check with PT to see if this is normal tomorrow.
Drew,
I know we are pretty much on the same timeline (7 weeks post op) and same leg(Right), but my doc is being overly cautious as he will not even let me walk without my boot even though I can and will not even let me swim at home( I must admit that I have done this already). It has been in the 90's here in Dallas so the water was too tempting to pass up.
I can drive okay, but he advises that I do not do this, which I started last week with no issues. I do revert to my left foot once in awhile and am using my cruise control more.
I still experience a little swelling and soreness, but nothing too much.
Good luck to all!!
Hi, Alexis. not surprising that our rehab differs, as we have two different docs. i'm not trying to push myself ahead of schedule, and it sounds like you're going by doc's advice, too.
no reason to hurry, as i see it, as that can just cause a setback.
i'm surprised you tried driving already! lol i drove twice with my left foot, but don't feel like my right foot could handle the pressure of jamming on the brakes. i asked about swimming and was flatly told NO. zero room for confusion!! it will feel good to get out and do SOMETHING, but in the meantime, i will wait. feel free to send pics of you in your swimsuit, tho. :o) that may help brighten my day...
as far as the anonymous poster, my foot tingles and has 'surface' pain in different spots yet. may be more from blood flow than anything else. my incision and tendon area are also still sensitive, also, when i push it too hard.
Hi Alexis and Drew. I am also 7 weeks post op with the right leg. 7 long weeks! My doctor says one thing and the PTs say another. Doctor thinks I should already be using stationary bike and swimming (actually recommended all that a couple of weeks ago), and also told me to do heel raises and stretching against the wall...all this when I was 4.5 weeks post op. PT girls (who work for him) told me to hold off until 6 week mark and to keep the boot on for another few weeks. Doc said the scar tissue would be less if I had started stretching earlier. Anyway I have been going with the PT girls and am feeling very good. I do walk without my boot when i am at home but definitely feel more secure in it. PT got me to try to balance on my right leg today though and I kept falling to my left. Guess I will have to train myself off that.
Anyway Alexis I have started driving again too. I take my boot off to drive and it feels fine. I did try with my left foot last week and kept pushing down way too hard. Anyway good luck everyone. Hope you are all healing well.
Ah...my people. I ruptured my left achilles 2 weeks ago at a company softball game (workers comp? It can go 50/50. Virginia didn't take it). Classic story, used to be athletic and now just a little lazy with a dash of corporate cubicle.
It was a jarring jolt and once I figured out that I didn't trip over 3rd base, leg tingling, foot not working right...I knew. Luckily my wife was there to drive me to the ER. Mom in law is a head nurse at an ortho; called her up; surgery set for next day ASAP. Cut up the leg and a few whip stiches later...on the couch.
My experience has been good. No terrible pain, successful surgery, casted up for a couple weeks. I kicked the pain pills to the curb almost the first week. I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that the rest of my journey will continue to go well. However, this is an injury that is very inconvenient and requires time. Thanks to everyone who has shared a story.
Hapy recovering to everyone.
Goog evening all fellow archilles heal tragics, thank god i found this site it's nice and beneficial to know you're not alone out there trying to cope with the different phases of the process of getting back to some semblence of normality. I have read all the comments and am yet to find one where the initial injury was caused by (I'm embarassed to say) skipping, yes I was skipping rope with some friends very late last Saturday night the 23rd of May. I had the classic feeling of being hit from behind, I didn't hear anything as the music was really pumping by this stage. I also had the feeling when trying to put my injured foot down that there was a hole in the floor and my foot kept going into it. Having had other tendon and ligament injuries on the left side I pretty much knew what I'd done straight away. Scans and physical examination proved my fears and I was booked in for surgery last Tuesday, that has all gone well but it's frustrating not being able to start any kind of rehab. It is now day 6 from the injury and day 4 from the surgery. I'm in a half cast up to the knee which needs to stay on for 2 weeks and then into a boot of some sort, not sure what sort at this stage, this happens on the 11th. Not muh to do until then the common theme in this phase seems to be keeping the leg up to avoid any swelling. Oddly enough no real pain just an uncomfortable tight feeling around the whole ankle and a bit of itchiness where the stitches are. Need to go put foot up, will keep posted.
Hey Sam....I ruptured my left AT jumping rope with my grandaughter..It happened 4/18/09, went to ER and was put in a half cast for 2 weeks. Had surgery on 5/8/09...unfortunately developed an infection. After 2 days of infection, surgeon decided to go back in to clean out infection. Had the second surgery done on 5/22. I'm one week post surgery and other than frustration, I'm feeling "physically" good. I'm in one of those "very heavy" CAM boots (moon boots) supposed to be NWB..however, truth be told, I use the very tip of the boot for balance...Can't wait to throw away those crutches...My shoulders ache, my hands ache...and my mental status aches....Well, I guess at 50 years old, my jump roping days are over...I just can't wait to walk again! A Speedy Recovery To You All!!
This is Big Al,
Hello to all my fellow ATR people. (How funny is this) on 3/27/09 I ruptured my left achillies on a job interview to become a Personal Trainer. I had surgery on 4/9/09 and was placed in an open splint for two weeks. I was off the Meds after 12 days. Next, my Doc decided to place me in a cast for 4more weeks. Now, I'm full weight bearing in a boot getting around the house much faster and was able to take a shower for the first time in 6 weeks, which felt grreeeaaaatttt!!! I'm excited to start PT next week, which present it's own challenges. The Doc also mentioned, "the healing of my incision along with the removal of the stitches looked great". The tendon is stiff but I stretch every chance I get to keep scar tissue from building. Finally, this site presented great info of other people injury time-table exeriences, which gave me the patients to push through. Good luck and get well to all!!!
Hi anonymous, nice to see I'm not the only foolish person on here, I'm also fifty but I was skipping with some drunken mates, one one which sent me a skipping rope for when I get better, I'm telling you I'm never skipping again. We're about at the same stage in terms of post surgery, where you feel ok , no real pain and you're starting to get around a bit better albeit on crutches and now the frustration starts to set in. You know what I mean, all the movies you meant to watch, you've watched, all your correspondence is up to date and all the sports you wanted to watch is just not the same when you can watch it day after day, it's not special any more.
Tonight I'm supposed to be going to my cousins bucks night, I was so looking forward to it, we were really going to have a big one and now I don't know if I'm up to it, firstly I'll have to tell everyone how I did it, that will be bad enough but I really don't want to take the focus away from my cousin after all it's his night not mine. The other problem is I don't know how long I can sit for yet without my leg hurting, I mean at home I can just go lie down for a bit I'm hardly going to be able to do that in a bar, and I don't want to have to be taken home early like some old relative who just couldn't handle all the excitement, I think I'll just stay at home and watch the football.
All the best and a speedy recovery to my fellow achilles bloggers.
Sam
I joined the brethren on April Fools day. I slipped backwards climbing a tree and severed by Achilles on rock near the bottom. I'm a distance runner and back country ranger in the summers so this was quite a setback. I'm also 61, so my orthopedist (in Tucson) at the time highly recommended that I be casted for eight weeks with no surgery. The cast is off now, with my first PT appt next week. My current orthopedist(in Seattle) always uses surgery so he seems unsure what to do with me as a 'natural healer'. I wear lifts in my shoes and can walk a ways, but still need my crutches for any distance. While casted, I have been using the rowing machine in the gym along with all the upper body machines I can stand. I put in an hour on the stationary bike yesterday two days after the cast was off, but now my ankle is very swollen. I have referred pain up and down my leg but none in the injury area. As with most everyone on the blog, I'm unsure of what's going to happen next. I do expect this to take a long time, though. As people in the disabled community say - we are all TABs - 'temporarily able bodied'.
I ruptured my right AT last May 16th while playing tennis then surgery next after 5 days .I was on my 1 week post surgery and it swollen for 2 days which is normal because of the operation ,not much pain and i keep it elevated most of the time and i think it's healing so well.I have my FU to my doctor tomorrow to my doctor and hoping that he would tell me that he will remove the cast next week so i can start rehabilitating my foot.
well, today marks the 8th week since i ruptured my tendon. To celebrate, i've been taken off the boot! walking is pretty shaky, and my heel fits verrrrrry tight in my sneakers, but i'm finally semi-mobile again. also got clearance to drive, which is like being paroled from prison!!
i also went to my evaluation at physical therapy. i'll be doing some walking in a pool, to lower the amount of weight on the bad foot. i'm a little anxious to see how bad the pain will be when she starts stretching out my calf and tendon.
still haven't seen Alexis posting those swimming pics yet. what's up with that? :O)
hope everyone has a good weekend!
Drew,
I also am on week 8 and have been driving for a few weeks now. Still in boot part time only and in a shoe the remainder of the day. I have been stretching the calf and ankle area since day one and I have lots of flexibility so the pain is very minimal. I can walk with little to no pain and there is some tightness, but not too bad. In 2 weeks I will begin riding a stationary bike for 15-20 min on no resistance and at a slow pace. I have also been instructed to begin swimming at the deep end opnly with a vest on and simulate running motion for 15-20 minutes per day.
No pics on the web!! SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU
I and heading in for my surgery on my achilles wednesday, i torn the calf muscle and my achilles rupture from what my doctor says isn't a complete rupture but he says if i dont get the surgery i would most likely ruputure it again. i'm hoping i will have a shorter recovery time than some of the posts i've ready since i dont have a complete rupture.
Hey, Alexis. Figured I'd provoke a response outta you :O)
glad to hear you are hitting the bike. I am starting to walk on an in-water treadmill. the pool takes weight off the ankle and helps loosen it up i guess.
I have a new road bike that has about 200 miles on it, so i'm anxious to get on that. i figure i can spin with it on my trainer.
i think they will let me swim before they let me pedal a bike. i'll find out a little more tonight.
corey - hang in there, bud. you should prepare yourself for a long recovery, while hoping for somethign shorter. it doesn't seem like there is a quick way to getting back to 100% with these.
good luck!
Hi my name is Chan and I ruptured my left achilles tendon on Sunday night May 31st playing indoor soccer. I am a physical therapist and very active and fit. Knew right away what had happened so texted the Ortho surgeon. He got me in the next day to get into a cam walker for full weight bearing. Saw him a day later to confirm the injury and set surgery for that Wednesday 6-03-09. I opted for surgery secondary to published studies stating that their was a 15% chance higher re-rupture rate without and likely would have some weakness, and I am very active and athletic and 36 years old. I have rehabilitated many of these injuries, but still like all of you wanted more info on the best rehab method conservative vs. accelerated(more like athletes and younger population).
Many have had questions regarding the rehab process, and obviously I am all for using physical therapy after an injury.
You still have to take into consideration who you go see. Just like all surgeons and doctors are not equal, all therapist are not equal. You should ask the therapist if they feel confortable and confident with this type of injury and have you rehab many of these before. When you decide on a therapist put your confidence in them and things will go great. Never be afraid to ask questions and challenge them with answers and if they don't have them then they should be able give you the answer the next visit.
Also keep in mind that there is no cookie cutter answer or method for everyone. The type of tear, is the tissue good, is the patient in good physical condtion, overweight, smoker, other medical conditions, etc play into healing.
With that said there are guidelines to tissue healing that what you do during that healing will either help or delay the process.
I am with you all that this inury is very serious and demanding on our lives. I am now only 5 days out of surgery, see the surgeon on 06-16-09 will likely get into a cam walker boot with significant raised heel lifts for ambulation progression over several weeks.
I will try to check back to this site and give updates as well on my progress. Goodluck to all and stay positive for it is a long road.
Chan
My husband ruptured his left achilles tendon last April 5, 2008 got the surgery on the 10th, no nerve block was ever offered nor was pain management an option after surgery. My poor husband suffered like a dog for the first week, the pain was so severe, it was torture to watch someone and know there is nothing you can do to help him but to keep him comfortable. The leg was elevated at all times. After 10 days his cast was removed, as were his staples and he was given this boot with inserts to raise the heel almost as if he was wearing a wedge shoe. Every 2 to 3 weeks he would take an insert out and continued this until his foot was eventually flat. He did therapy like no other 3 to 4 times a week while in the boot, even did his own PT at home. Continued therapy on his own once cleared from PT. We are past the year mark and still to this day he gets discomfort and tightness. He's tried everything there is to keep it loose. Is there anyone still experiencing any kind of tightness after their year mark?????
That is terrible medical practice, not giving pain medication after the surgery. There is no excuse for that.
What exactly do you mean by "tightness?" Does he have limited range of motion in the ankle? Is it that stiff feeling that can come with swelling? Something else?
The discomfort, what is that like? When does it happen? Does anything make it better, or worse?
One year is a rather long time to still be having significant symptoms.
I have been reading your comments all along and have finally decided to post. They have been most helpful throughout each "stage" so far - Thank YOU ALL! I ruptured my achilles tumbling at the age of 41. Not the falling down kind, the kind you should do when you are younger - however, I have always done it! I am a workoutaholic, but my doctor said it was not from overuse...most likely "my age" the tissues were very degenerative - OUCH! Also, makes me a little scared for the other leg...
I had my surgery on March 30th and I will say little, to no pain - except Physical Therapy - helpful as it is, they give a very new meaning and visualization to stretching a massage!Wow - having 3 kids does not compare to the excruciating pain! I have been using a CAM boot for the most part and have only been weightbearing the past 4-5 weeks. I do walk more and more without the boot. It is just amazing how slooooooww the healing process really is. I workout everyday - take off the boot and bike or even do the eliptical now and lift weights - but when it comes to the exercises that stretch or strengthen the achilles during PT, I feel like such a wimp - and it really is difficult and painful! Afterwards it is worth it and I see so much progress, but you can't help wondering when it will finally be over and better. I truly believe now, when they say 6-9 months, maybe even a year before completely normal. The good news...we will be back to normal, maybe even better. Many people end up with a surgery that does not have that outlook - so keep up your strength - physically and definitely mentally - We WILL get there!
I have been reading your comments all along and have finally decided to post. They have been most helpful throughout each "stage" so far - Thank YOU ALL! I ruptured my achilles tumbling at the age of 41. Not the falling down kind, the kind you should do when you are younger - however, I have always done it! I am a workoutaholic, but my doctor said it was not from overuse...most likely "my age" the tissues were very degenerative - OUCH! Also, makes me a little scared for the other leg...
I had my surgery on March 30th and I will say little, to no pain - except Physical Therapy - helpful as it is, they give a very new meaning and visualization to stretching a massage!Wow - having 3 kids does not compare to the excruciating pain! I have been using a CAM boot for the most part and have only been weightbearing the past 4-5 weeks. I do walk more and more without the boot. It is just amazing how slooooooww the healing process really is. I workout everyday - take off the boot and bike or even do the eliptical now and lift weights - but when it comes to the exercises that stretch or strengthen the achilles during PT, I feel like such a wimp - and it really is difficult and painful! Afterwards it is worth it and I see so much progress, but you can't help wondering when it will finally be over and better. I truly believe now, when they say 6-9 months, maybe even a year before completely normal. The good news...we will be back to normal, maybe even better. Many people end up with a surgery that does not have that outlook - so keep up your strength - physically and definitely mentally - We WILL get there!
I tore my achilles on Feb. 1st, Superbowl Sunday, good times. I knew something was wrong because my foot just didn't work. I used U-Tube as my initial consultation.. After watching a video that showed the 'calf test,' I knew it was a total tear. For those who have not seen it, you squeeze your calf and if your foot does not move, it is a pretty good bet that the achilles is torn. Not an exact science, but it is a solid indicator.
My doctor said all went well in surgery (Feb 4th). I did the non-weight-bearing cast for two months. Over that time period, I went in for 3 new casts, each one positioned more toward 90 degree foot angle, vs. point downward with the first cast. After that, I another solid cast with a walking boot for two weeks. Next, a walking show, still with crutches for a few days. Finally, a sleeve that fits snugly over my ankle, wtih two velcro straps. This simulates a tapes ankle and provides support. It also prevents swelling early on in the walking process. As of today (June 12th), I am almost walking normally and I am just beginning light stationary bike and elliptical. Some occasional pain, and stiffness, but getting there. Some days I wear the brace, some days I go without it. Good luck to you.
What a great site. Jennifer (recent post) stopped by yesterday to give me the blow by blow on the recovery. Just had surgery on the 10th of June. Wondering if anyone has experience with recovery time on a partial tear. My surgeon said I had 1/3 still in tact. What could I expect for a recovery time? Full tears sound pretty similar on this site depending on the type of PT used. I can't wait to get out of this cast.
Doug-
He does have full range of motion, but the tightness comes every now and then. More so when he's not walking or using it, like long car rides. Not sure if he needs to continue massaging the tendon to try to loosen the scar tissue that more than most likely formed. As far as the pain meds after surgery they did give him pain pills but once he finished they refused to refill them, because it can become habit forming. Which is understandable but the first 3 days he did suffer. I have heard of people staying in the hospital for pain management at least a day after surgery.
But back to the tightness, he can do the activities he was doing prior to his surgery, but the discomfort is getting to him. Some days its as if there is no pain and he thinks its finally over but then other days its tight and uncomfortable. I dunno, but i know he's disgusted because he thinks he should be discomfort free after the year mark.
Tonie-Alisha:
Could it be that the stiff days are after he works the leg hard the day before? If so, that's not such a bad thing, as those hard days are getting things back into shape.
Good luck,
Doug
shooting pain feels like needles when i put the slightest pressure does anyone know why and how i can remedy this pain or is this something to be expected. i just got the boot.
hi cj. sounds like swelling may be causing those sensations to me. does elevating it and icing it seem to help?
the needles could be from blood flowing to the foot when you put it down when you try to get upright.
just my thoughts, but i'd recommend calling your local sawbones. :)
Hello, I am a 37 year old male. Full rupture on June 10, surgery on June 12. In a half cast for 4 days. Into a boot at the 4th day. I started weight bearing the next day. The stiches came out at day 10. I told the doc that it felt great and I was doing some weight bearing. He scheduled me for 2 weeks passive therapy and 2 weeks active therapy. After the first week of therapy I no longer wear the boot and I am full weight bearing(15 days post op.). My Doc gave the ok to active therapy starting today. I think I will ride a bike! I do have some slight pain but little swelling. It mostly just feels tight. I do have a high tolerance for pain and I am very impatient. I hope this will encourage all of you that you can push your body to heal itself before it shuts down and makes it a longer road.
For impatient Anonymous in the above note:
If you're interested in how I navigated a rather rapid rehab, see
http://achillesblog.com/doug53/
Good luck!
I am 6 months post op and doing great, but my surgeon convinced me to go slow. So while I am super active now, my calf has atrophied a ton, so can't do any running yet (not even close). But mt biking, swimming, strenuous walking all ok. My question to those who choose the rapid rehab is: Down the line, is it worth it? I know I will eventually rehab, and I am not worried about complications. Not saying either approach is right or wrong, but I would be curious to hear whether those who rehab aggressively have problems later on down the line. Good luck to all!
Though I am a very active person, I like David have taken the slow road to recovery and am allowing my body to dictate the pace of the healing. Today makes week 11 post op and though I stretch the foot, ankle and achilles everyday, I still am experiencing some stiffness, swelling and a walk with a small limp. I am due to start therapy in one week and am looking forward to it.
As a football coach I have learned not to allow my players come back quicker than they should and I have taken that approach with my injury. I am in no hurry to come back and will allow my body to recovery at its pace as I do not want to pay the price later on .
As my trainer and I sit and read some of these post, I will admit that we are truly amazed at how quickly some of these recoveries are. Especially on how some are already walking with no limp or pain after such a short time, which leads me to believe that some of these stories are either a bit stretched or you did not experience a full tear. A Partial will most definitely heal quicker, but a full tear is another story.
Good luck to all and may eveyone recovery well.
It will be 5 months post op for me this Tuesday, out of the boot for about a month and wearing 2 shoes now, low heels/wedges. I never had an actual cast, don't do those at all!. I still have tightness and it swells by end of day. I just continue to do my range of motion exercises 3 times a day and it feels and does better as each day progresses. I drive, shop, dine out, work (3 days a week) and actually got on dance floor this past weekend! I do walk with slight limp and still slowly, but I am getting there and proud of where I am now from where I was. I am glad I was not doing too much too soon. I feel being safe instead of sorry is the best approach, and I would be curious to see those that start weight bearing at 3-4 weeks, and doing ALOT in the early stages, how many of those would admit to complications/setbacks? My doctor scared me by mentioning rerupture, that's all it took for me! Since I don't want to EVER be in this predicament again, I do everything I can to avoid overdoing it to make sure this heals properly. I live alone so I am active, on the go, and not relying on people anymore (Thank God!) But I can't imagine doing what others post they have done and are doing so early after injury and/or surgery. It would seem like those who move too fast may have issues in the future. I would not want to take that risk, this injury strips you of your independence, which was the WORSE part of it for me!! Good luck, Happy July 4th!
Ladyjewels
David,
I find your note confusing. You are "doing great" and are "super active" six months postop, but your calf has "atrophied a ton" and you cannot run. The atrophy suggests to me that you are not regaining strength in your calf. Having good flexibility and getting general endurance exercise is great, but your calf's strength may need more specific attention than it has been getting.
Ladyjewels,
It's great that you can get around on your own. By nearly five months out, however, you should be doing more than just working on your flexibility, although your need for heel wedges suggests that still needs work, too. I'm concerned that you have little calf strength, (based on your description of your walk and your exercises), and therefore remain at risk for losing your balance and rerupturing. Do you have someone who can help you get working on your calf strength? I'm worried that you are letting your fears hold you back. It's not really safer to drive down the freeway at five miles per hour, even if it "feels" safer to be going slower.
Good luck!
Doug,
Thanks for your response. As far as the wedge heels, they were suggested for more support in comparison to regular heels, but I am really wearing more low flats than heels at all. I'm sure I need more calf strength, especially since I cannot afford PT at this time. Do you have any suggestions/activity you can share(jones6961@bellsouth.net)? Thanks.
Ladyjewels
Coach Rivera,
I'm going to presume that my rehab is one of the ones you found hard to believe, as your note quickly followed mine.
I started my calf strength work soon after the surgical repair of my (yes, complete) rupture because I couldn't understand why, when doctors allow stress to the tendon with stretching, stress from using the calf muscle is forbidden for many more weeks. That makes no sense to me. It leads directly to bad muscle atrophy and a prolonged rehab, and that's exactly what happens to most people who follow the currently common rehab plan after an Achilles tendon rupture. I suspect it is only because of those slow recoveries, following bad muscle atrophy due to prolonged, prescribed inactivity, that my recovery seems remarkable. It's interesting that the three notes following mine all suggested that there might be a price to pay later for a faster rehab. I would suggest the opposite, that it is those who leave their calf muscles inactive for weeks who pay a price later. I posted my rehab to help those who, like me, believe it doesn't have to be that way, like the man I originally responded to. I hope that early calf strength rehab will someday become the rule, not the exception, and everyone will recover more rapidly.
I hope your PT goes well,
Doug
I am an unhappy member of the "club". I stepped in a hole while moving watering hoses around on July 10 and ruptured my tendon. I had surgery on July 11. The doctor put in two screws or anchors and I was in a splint for two weeks. I was then put in a cast that is to be on for six weeks. I go back to the doctor on August 4. I am not to put any weight on my injured foot. I am a 56 year old, overweight, secretary. I can not go back to work until I can put weight on my foot. I am in a wheel chair at this time. My foot is swelling and my toes turn dark when I have the swelling a there is a bit of darkness above my cast as well. There was a little bit of swelling before but it seems to have gotten worse in the last four or five days. I have been keeping my leg up, laying in the bed with it above my heart. This works, but within ten or fifteen minutes of getting up and putting my leg down, it starts the swelling again. Has anyone else had this problem. My doctor's nurse told me that this is not unusual. Also, did anyone else have to keep their leg in a cast this long and not have any weight on it? I have tinges of pain, but nothing severe. The bottom of my heal has pain as well. Is this normal, do you think? This is certainly not how I wanted to spend my summer. Any good news or ideas will be greatly appreciated. I am very fortunate in that my husband is able to work only two days a week and be with the rest of the time. It is surely a help with showering and such. Thanks for the blog, I am so glad that I found it. lvw
lvw, Welcome to the club! Fortunately, or unfortunately, you are going thru the same as we all did, and the things you are experiencing is not out of the norm, sorry to tell you. It does get better with time. Just follow Dr's orders, and keep the leg up and ice it up for the swelling. Some do progress quicker than others, so be mindful of that as well. Look at the positives, you had your surgery QUICK, and you have someone by your side to help you out. I, as well as many others, were not as fortunate. It's a tough one, but you'll get thru it. Keep the Faith, and Good Luck.
Ladyjewels
Hi fellow rupturers, I ruptured my Achilles tendon on May 31, 2009 doing a flip off a diving board (whacked my legs on the edge of the board HARD and it popped) and had surgery on June 4. Now I am 5 weeks post surgery. I just got my stitches out a few days ago and got a frankenstein boot. At my 6 week appointment next week I really hope the doctor will allow me to weight bare, but I don't know for sure. I have been doing my foot stretches like he ordered 3x per day for 10 minutes each time and my foot flexibility is really coming along! My incision site is still really sore to the touch and I am sure the PT is not going to feel so good, but after 6 weeks total on crutches, AHHH! I don't care, I want off these things. Is it really 6 months back to norm? That seems like forever!!! I never thought I would say this but I can't wait to do laundry again. :) My foot still swells and turns purplish when I stand too long and my boot seems 2 sizes too big, I hate it, But I love it!! I still have to keep my leg elevated as much as possible. I don't have any pain in my tendon now like I did when I began the stretches, it used to be pretty sore but now it seems good. 6 months or longer - EGADS! Just got to keep on keeping on! Best of luck everyone, I sure would love to hear some 6 months to a year out sucess stories!!! --stilted
2nd timer said,
RUSH
I read your blog, you are one of the few who had no surgery.
I ruptured mine on FEb. 222 and had no surgery.
I was out of the boot on May 12 and started physio. It was all well until I tried to do 10 min stationary bike and 10 min treadmill the same day, and it was more swollen than usual after. My therapist slowed down the exercises, I did mostly exercises with the elastic band, less calf raises. But I wished to walk (of course after 11 weeeks!) and walked a fair bit. Maybe I should not have. I had flair ups. I started swimming at the end of June which felt good. But in spite of my ability to walk 3 hours (very slowly) I had very week calf muscles. But I thought it will be just a question of time. Then On July 1st (week 18) I was very tired and I misstepped with my slippers and ruptured it again!! First we thought it was not fully ruptured but the ultrasound confirmed it was totally.
So now I had surgey on July 3.
And I start it all over again!!
So please do not overdo it! Take it slow! Do not let it swell!
Take care!
I am reading old posts.... It would be nice to have comments from people who are further down the road with the recovery.
Physiotherapy methods seem to differ a lot.
Some surgeons do not recommend PT right away?
I had no surgery and was in non weight bearing cast for 7 weeks and the boot (ditched the crutches 2 days later - full weight bearing, vacuuming...) for 4 more weeks.
After 11 weeks I started physio.
I wonder if it was too aggressive.
My tendon reruptured at week 18.
Do they ever check with ultrasound if it is healed before starting PT??
I started PT after week 11: the theraband exercises were all right
but I wonder if ultrasound and laser therapy is really beneficial??
I was made to do heel raises that made me feel for the first days like my tendon was going to explode. (next time I would wait a week before starting that following the removal of the boot)
I had to balance on one foot on a foam that also was very painful ( I will start balancing for a few weeks only on the plain floor on one foot first next time)
Also going on the treadmill was painful for my tendon (even though it is supposed to strengthen the calf - there I did not feel anything).
I was told I had the flare ups because I walked too much in the park/stores etc. but that did not feel as bad as the physio. I was told to take anti-inflammatories (Advil) and walk less. I had massage several times a week, and was icing it several times a day.
I slowed down a bit but when I felt better a few days later, I walked more again. At week 15 I walked an hour, at week 16 several hours (slowly)
I started swimming at week 18 - gently and it felt sooo good. I was doing some heel raises and walking in the water, too.
Then I was told to try to raise my heel on the bad foot only by another PT and it felt so wrong. After that my foot felt stiffer. But I was not concerned enough. She said it would not re-rupture there again, it is so thickened now.
The next night I re-ruptured it.
I tired myself perhaps too much the days before. I was dead tired when it happened. Just a wrong step inside my house.
First the doctors thought (because of the swelling it still felt somewhat hard) that it was not re-ruptured but the ultrasound confirmed it was, fully.
So I had surgery on July 3.
Back to the cast now.
Feeling desperate. Will this ever end??
Ladyjewels,
I found walking in the pool water up to my neck or so trying to push off with the ball of my foot at each step a good exercise (it is actually harder to walk than swim!) also doing heel raises this way, as it is less weight on the foot than normally but still more than with therabands. Also practicing balancing on the bad foot barefoot on the floor I found helpful, it strengthens the muscles around the ankle and gave me a more confident, less hobbling kind of walk.
Finally! We hear from folks that actually let you know what they've experienced by going too fast or opting for the non-surgical route. We all know that we are now in a weak state as far as the injury goes, and there are pros and cons with recovering from this injury. I appreciate the honesty, as well as the posts from those who are doing well so fast and so quick. Just got to go with your own flow, follow Dr's orders, know your own body and not be too impatient. I'm glad I'm taking it slow, and as independent as I am and always have been, that's saying ALOT!!
Ladyjewels
(First I noticed in my initial statement I said July instead of June, sorry about that.)I called the nurse today about the swelling and my toes turning blue and being cold. She told me to come in and let the the PA take a look. He cut my cast on each side and opened it just a touch and rewrapped in ace bandages. I felt much better after talking with him and asking some questions. Tomorrow will be four weeks since the injury and surgery. I had lost my balance a couple of times and had put weight on my foot. He told me that it was not a problem. He also assured me that more than likely when I came in on August 4, I would probably get some type of boot where I would be able to put weight on my foot. I am certainly praying that is the case as I really would like to get back to work. Anyway, one of the things he said was that if I felt there was something wrong, they would much rather me come in with something that was not a problem then stay home with a problem. I felt so much better after going in and having him look at my foot and speaking with him face to face. I have had two knee replacements and I know that you have to listen to the doctor and do what they tell you. I did that with the knee replacements and did not have problems like others I have heard about, so I will take it slow and do what the doctor tells me. lvw
The re-rupture stories scare me...18 weeks! Wow. I am 14 weeks post op and feeling really well. Still only biking, eliptical, some weights and a lot of standing and walking this summer. Was thinking the physical therapist and doctor were just being overly cautious when they would say that I couldn't do calf raises or more advanced stuff. This was a wake up call - so thanks again for sharing the stories. It is so interesting all of the different protocals for recovery and hearing how everyone is progressing.
Are you all getting ultrasound and laser therapy as part of your physio?
Do you feel it is beneficial?
As for opting for the non-surgical route the first time: I was not given the option, my orthopedic surgeon thought that as I was 43 years old, female and not actively doing sports he did not recommend it. It is interesting that according to my PT females are given the surgical route less often than males....
I'm at about 12 1/2 weeks, and i've not had any ultrasound or laser treatments. i normally get electric stim while icing, tho.
I'm just now starting to get into strenghtening exercises, so that may be a factor. Up until this past week, I was doing exercises, stretches, etc., for range of motion. I'll post any new stuff i come across in this next phase.
Achilles I feel you, obviously every doctor is different, mine was! I am a 35 year old female and my doctor said I should definitely get the surgery done simply because of the re-rupture rate for non-surgery cases. He said re-rupture is extremely common without surgery, while not so when surgically repaired, it is almost nil. So I said do the surgery, please.
CJ -
Glad to read your post as I am having similar experience. I'm nearly 5 weeks out from surgery and three days in the boot. Can't put much weight on it. Pain is very difficult when trying to stretch. More tolerable when trying to stretch while sitting in a chair (as opposed to being vertical with crutches). My surgeon said I should be off crutches in another 3 days - very hard to believe. From reading the posts, it sounds like others have done it but each heals differently.
Question for those further out than 5 weeks - when does the pain become tolerable to put weight on the boot? Really want to get off the crutches but don't feel like I'm making much progress.
Paul
LVW says:
I am four weeks and a couple of days out from surgery. I am still in a cast. My doctor is obviously treating mine very conservatively. I will get the cast off in another four weeks. I have not been able to use crutches, so I am pretty much stuck at home in a wheelchair. The PA said this week that I will probably get a walking boot when I go back. I am taking that to mean that I should be able to at least walk, even if with a cane or some such. I can't wait, but after reading the posts and hearing about another patient of my doc's who reruptured, I am willing to take it slow. As far as pain, I am supposing I have been very fortunate as I have not had a great deal. Mostly at night there is a burning pain, especially if I have been up a great deal during the day. lvw
Let, see what's today... July 12th I did a high grade tear to my achilles last Wednsday doing gymanstics after taking a long bike ride. Hadn't done that in years. Felt like someone had hit me in the ankle with a metal bat and looked around for the perpetrator but there was nothing there. I found it hard to walk but limped to my truck. Had an mri on friday and was asked if I was in any pain. It doesn't really hurt at all but trying to take the initiative as I'm self employed and my family depends upon my income from fixing cars. I'm petrified about what's coming up: surgery? how long until I work? I'm private pay--should I go overseas for surgery if req'd. Not enough equations for the amount of unknowns. I borrowed an air cast from someone and some crutches to keep weight of as much as possible. Sorry to join the club!
I just had a conversation with someone who did not have surgery as she was misdiagnosed first, and had hers re-ruptured 4 times in a year!
She had surgery (graft) after the 2nd rupture, and artificial tendodn (plastic?) put in after the 3rd rupture....
So Anonymus please look after yourself, do not cheap out on this, it is very hard to recover from this injury. It seems surgery is a good idea.
Drew
I think you have a good doc and physiotherapist.
I see you were told to start to walk under water etc. before biking. Makes sense.
I was out of the boot after 11 weeks and at week 12 my PT suggested heel raises: was that a good idea?
I kept asking about swimming, finally at week 16 she ok-d it. But previously put me on the treadmill and stationary bike, that really did not feel good.
Making heel raises under water first makes more sense to me.
Heavens, after not moving the muscle for 3 months lifting 150 lbs did not feel right!
Sure enough I had flare ups.
Do you agree with my PT that walking 2-3 hours (slowly) a month after removing the boot is not advisable?
I want to do it right next time, after the re-rupture....
Hi Im 12 weeks after my operation now and am worried about if im going to fast. Im a 17yr old girl and i did it in the warm up for a running (100meters) race. Ive also had for about a year tendinopathy in my other achilles (left) and am worried if that one is going to fully go aswel. I was getting for my driving test at the time and was wondering how long until i can start learning agen? I started swimming at 8/9 weeks is this to soon? and my physio is now saying i should be able to do heel raises on my bad leg only i dont no if im worrying too much or not also i really want to be back sprinting 5 months after the op is this going to be possible as i cnt live without my sports?
Headed to the doctors today for my 11 week post op check up. I have been doing stationary bike and toe raises in the pool for the past 2 weeks and can feel a difference in my leg. I still have lots of stiffness on the back of the leg no matter how much I stretch it. I can walk on it okay, but still feel some pain that feels like its my bone that hurts. I have zero lift on the leg at all and am not sure if I should have lift already. I will get my PT schedule today.
Good Luck to all
Achilles I feel - I don't know how things are going for you, or how much discomfort you have. There is nto way I would have been interested in walking for 2-3 hours that quick. depends on how it feels i guess.
one thing i'm 100% sure of, is that you don't want to go by my advice!! talk to your doc and PT. ask lots of questions. ask them twice if you don't get answers you find acceptable. They will talk over everything with you if you ask them.
Kiah - sorry to hear you got hit with this at such a young age. i bet you hear your coaches telling you to stretch those legs, huh? you will probably have a speedier recovery than us old farts, tho!
i was surprised to hear you want to be sprinting that quickly. sounds pretty aggressive, but talk to your doc and PT (I know. it's a theme, huh?) i'm sure lots of people here will be pulling for you.
Coach Rivera - i was in the same boat when i started the underwater calf raises. a bit of soreness, but unable to do anything on dry land. no strength whatsoever.
also, my foot felt really bony and seemed to bruise easily when i started walking on it again. i'm hopig it will go away soon.
anyway, it's a long road, and we have to keep telling ourselves we can't fix it overnight.
drew
Drew,
I think I had excellent range of motion ( nearly the same as my good leg 18 weeks after rupture) and was able to walk slowly for that long because I had no scars from surgery.
I also wonder if depending what kind of surgery they do, the range of motion gets worse. Without surgery the additional scar tissue could make the tendon longer? If they cut some part of the tendon at surgery to make clean ends to sew together that would make the tendon shorter?!
I will see how it goes the second time around after surgery: I will compare and tell you all about it!
For now I am in cast for 5 weeks after surgery, still have 2 weeks to go. I think my ankle is less swollen now than it was the first time, when they let it heal without surgery. Also I am not trying to do much anymore. My kids are learning to cook this summer!
Joe (Another Newbie),
29/fit/very active
Bit of a long story but worth a read for any UK NHS folk.
I ruptured my right achilles on the 10th of july 2009 playing football on holiday. Went to a local doc (cuba) who gave me some injections for swelling. It wasnt particularly sore and as the doc said take it easy and all should be well continued with my holiday for another week.
Got home to the uk and thought it wasnt quite right went to A&E and they said achilles rupture and put it straight into a cast. Got an ortho appointment for 2 days later who gave me the choice of surgery or conservative methods almost instantly. All he said was surgery is dangerous and the ankle is prone to infections once opened? and the only benefit of surgery was a very slight reduction in re-rupture. I asked for his reccomendation as I had no knowledge on the subject and he said he would go conservative. So I did. I felt led and had lots of questions to ask but he dissapeared and a new cast was put on for my (apparently)chosen method.
So that night I spent quite a while reading up on it. Theres a lot of info out there and I soon became quite annoyed that I wasnt fully informed by the doctor as to the benefits of surgery.
Main points Young/Fit&active(intend to be again)/Physical job and there had been a 10 day period without immobilisation after the accident and a better re-rupture rate.
I then phoned back the next day and said I would prefer the surgery after researching it. This was conducted on thursday 24th july. I brought my points up to the doctor who had suggested not going for surgery and he said that I had probably made the right choice??? 4 days after he advised on the alternative???
My point is be sure in yourself what treatment is for you and dont allow yourself to be led one way or the other as you are the one who will live with the consequences.
Anyway first night home after the surgery and it is still very painful painkillers dont seem to do much.
So begins my journey.
Went to the doctor today, 16 1/2 weeks since surgery (full rupture). Finally get to begin calf raises and really was cleared to do most things that don't involve impact (like running). That is okay though, I felt like it was a huge step to be able to start challenging myself physically again and begin strengthening the calf muscles!
My question though, does anyone else have a hard lump just above their heel? I have heard two different theories 1) it is where the tendon is attached and sutured and is most likely hard scar tissue and 2) it is a protective sac where the incision is, that can be massaged out. Either way it is right where most shoes come up and the pressure really gets to me after awhile. Just wondering if anyone else has this and if it will ever go away????
Jennifer
Jennifer,
I suspect this lump has been there since the rupture, did not just appear now?
Then it is probably scar tissue. I had it and the physiotherapist was trying to massaging it apart.
Did you have physio therapy?
Or did it appear just now that you started the calf raises?
When I see photos of healing ATs they all seem lumpy ... It takes a very long time to get thinner.
see other blogs at achillesblog.com
I had conservative treatment and at 18 weeks I still had lots of swelling and a scar lump... fortunately I could wear comfy hiking sandals in the summer.
Joe,
Good you did your research, and in my opinion, you made the right decision. I am nearly 6 months post op. My Dr told me I needed surgery my 1st visit, and I am glad he did. Wasn't a pleasant experience, and still have tightness and swelling, but I am mostly pleased with where I am in recovery. This is a long healing process, but I feel more confident as each day passes. Not having the surgery would have made me fearful of rerupture, as none of us want to go thru this again if it can be avoided!! Hang in there.
Ladyjewels
jennifer - I have a lump just like that. somedays it's flat, some days it swells. working thru the strengthening exercises causes the inflammation for me.
as you said, tho, it rubs on my shoe and gets tender. don't know of any way around that, other than a band aid to keep it from rubbing the incision.
drew
Thanks for the replies regarding the lump. It probably has been there all along, it is just that there is not as much swelling anymore, so maybe it stands out more.
Mine has been getting better with massaging it, but Drew your right on when you say it swells as soon as you start doing something on it!
It's just one of those annoyances of having to plan around what shoes you can wear, which usually ends up coming off by the end of the day!
Thanks again and keep the stories coming - love hearing how everyone else is progressing.
Jennifer
From LVW, Just a quick update. I am scheduled to have my cast removed on Tuesday, Aug. 4. It will have been 7 weeks and 5 days since I have had any weight on my injured leg. I am hopeful of getting a walking cast so I can get our of wheelchair and get back to work. I really feel for anyone who does not have insurance and a job with sick leave and vacation time. I have had to use all of my time and still have been about three weeks of leave without pay. I realize I am very fortunate to be able to get through this. Hope everyone else is getting through this long road to recovery well. I will be anxious to hear about the physical therapy that will be planned for me. The nurse told me that most of my therapy will be in walking (I guess because they can tell I am not athletic), the PA said it would start with passive therapy. All I can say is Tuesday can not get here soon enough. Again, thanks for the sight and the updates. lvw
Question: While doing light isometrics (inside the boot)such as contracting my calf muscle, I get a feeling like a "lump" moving up and down just above and where the achilles begins to widen. Does anyone else experience this "lump" or a "flat bundle" (best I can describe) moving up and down while flexing the calf muscle?
Note: I am 3.5 weeks post surgery for a complete rupture. Squeeze test indicates still connected. Just feels very odd when I flex the calf.
Just found this site today. amazing how all these comments sound so familiar. I ruptured my achilles on July 1st playing basketball. I'm 33 and am in pretty good shape still. played soccer in college and still work out 3 to 4 times a week. I had the surgery on July 7th so I'm 4 weeks out now. The first week was rough I was in a soft cast wrapping for the first week then a hard cast for a week and then the boot for the last 2 weeks. I've been able to put light wieght while using the crutches now for a few days. Start rehab on aug 18th. The goal is to start walking unassistated 2 months after surgery according to the doc. Don't wish this injusry on my worst enemy
LVW: So, I saw the PA Tuesday morning and had the cast removed after 5 weeks and 5 days. Had not walked or put any weight for seven weeks and five days. I was expecting that I would get a walking boot. Boy, was I thrilled when I received to lifts to put in my shoe and told I could begin walking. I will go back in a month and be re-evaluated to see what is next. Will decide then if I will have rehab and what kind. I have had a problem finding a shoe for the lifts that has a high enough back. I have went to a couple of shoe stores and have really fund anything better than my tennis shoes. They seem to work the best for keeping me stable. At any rate, he said that officially he could not tell me I could drive but to see how I did with walking and how my pain was and then try it out. I will probably give it a try this weekend. (I ruptured my right achilles) So, I went back to work on Tuesday afternoon and have made it through the week. I came home every evening exhausted and with a swelled foot. I remember the swelling seems to be a common complaint, but after not being able to walk for almost eight weeks, I am not complaining. I have a wedding to go to next weekend and while I may not be dancing, I am certainly looking forward to swaying. It was great to sleep without a cast on my leg and to take a shower without having to cover up with plastic. The doc told me to not put any weight on my leg without a shoe with the lifts in, so still no standing on two feet in the shower. Hope everyone else is healing. lvw
Part 1
Great blog everyone. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It helps knowing that there are many others out there that have gone through the whole process of injuring the AT, surgery, and going through rehab. Here's my detailed contribution from my own experience:
Information: 35 year old male, 6' 0", 185 lbs., I stay active through running (ran 1/2 marathon in April) and lifting weights at the local gym.
6/20/09 - Saturday morning, playing basketball for the first time in about 5 years. After playing 2 games in a row and near the end of the third game with no issues, received a pass and went to drive to the basket pushing off my left foot and tore my left AT. Felt a pop like someone had kicked me in the ankle area and went falling to the ground while looking behind me to see who was there. No one. It was only 4 points to winner. Thought I had sprained my ankle, so I drove myself home (luckily it was my left) and iced and elevated my foot. Wasn't too painful, but had a noticeable limp whenever walking while keeping my left foot stiff.
6/22/09 - Went to the Urgent Care facility before work to make sure nothing was broken. PA at the UC facility thought it was a sprained ankle, too. Took x-rays and had no bones broken. He was able to move my ankle in all different directions without any pain. He gave me an ankle brace, a cane, and a prescription for 600 mg of ibuprofen. Said to go to my doctor if it hadn't gotten better in a week. Before he left, I felt like he was missing something. He had me lay on my stomach and he felt in my achilles area and I cried out loud because it hurt. He still held on too his initial diagnosis.
A couple of days later, I was talking to a friend who said that if the pain was in the back of the ankle area, not the side as in a sprained ankle, he thought it might be my Achilles tendon. I went to look on webmd.com and found out that all the symptoms and causes of an Achilles tear (which I had not heard of until this point) were what I had including:
-sudden sharp pain
-can happen during intense physical activity such as basketball
-high occurence to middle aged adults
-injury occurs from repeated push offs
-can occur after not warming up enough (I didn't warm up before playing)
-shoes with poor arch support (I threw my 7-10 year old falling apart bball shoes away when I got home after playing)
Also, I think having been an avid runner, my body and my legs specifically were used to running in long strides and not the short, quick movements required to play basketball accounted for this injury.
All signs were pointing to my Achilles being torn. Went to my doctor the next day and received positive confirmation.
Part 2
7/10/09 - After talking to various orthopedic surgeons on whether or not to have surgery, having an MRI, and a sonogram, I have my surgery. I am very much against having surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. I was finally convinced, though, that I was young and healthy and that there would have been a chance that it may not have healed correctly naturally.
Surgery was scheduled to take 1.5 hours, but instead takes 3 hours due to my tendon being too weak to stitch back together on it's own and the doctor performing a V Y tendinous flap procedure. My doctor was very surprised that my Achilles were so narrow for my body size. I account for this because my ankles and wrists are very narrow which I think make my Achilles also very small. Afterwards, I was put into a splint with the hard part covering the incision and the bottom of my foot.
The week after surgery, my job allowed me to work from home. I was focused on keeping my foot elevated 100% of the time. I took Vicodin only. Did not need to take the Percacet that the doc prescribed in case I was in severe pain.
7/20/09 - 10 days after surgery the splint is removed and a fiberglass cast is put on. I no longer needed any pain medication. The wound from the incision was healing very well.
7/30/09 - 20 days after surgery the fiberglass cast is removed and I am put in a walking boot. No trash bag baths or showers anymore - Yeah! Doctor says not to bear any weight yet because of surgery complications and he is going to be very conservative in rehab. Told him that I am able to use my left foot for balance standing up without any pain. He says that's OK, but just don't put any weight on it. He gives me an exercise to get some initial motion back in the foot and the repaired tendon. Take a beach towel and roll it up lengthwise and hold it at the ends. Put your toes in the middle part of the towel and then gently pull your toes toward you. Do this 4-5 times, a couple of times a day.
Current - 4 weeks after surgery, I am able to put a little bit of weight of my foot while it is in the boot. But, not forcefully, just using it for balance. Haven't been agressive in trying to put weight on it because I want to make sure it is fully healed. My next doctor's appointment is in 2 weeks with my doctor being on vacation next week. I called him and told him that the foot/tendon is feeling a lot stronger and thought that he might want to get me into PT sooner. He said that he does not want me to because many people go into PT too early and end up screwing their AT up. I am following my doctor's advice for now.
Final thoughts until next update - This injury stinks and I would never wish it on anyone. I'm aiming to be able to walk normally by the time my wife gives birth to our first baby in February. I think this is being very conservative. I first thought that I would aim for running a half-marathon in January, but that's realistically not going to happen. I was trying to think of other limb injuries that are common and worse and I could only think of an ACL/MCL knee injury and hamstring tear. I'm not sure how those compare, but they sound like they could be worse. I can be both stubborn and patient, but am taking the conservative route because I can't imagine going through this again. Those who have re-ruptured or torn both AT's, I truly feel for you. As many others have said and I agree - remain patient, stay positive, and listen to your doctor. Good luck to all of you in your recovery and God Bless!
My name is Tracy I am a 40 year old female and I completely ruptured my right achilles tendon on July 18 playing dodge ball and was placed in a hard cast until the 28th when I had surgery which the doctor said it was successful, and I have been in a walking boot every since and was told that on next Monday that I can start bearing weight on it I have been taking it off to take a shower and am experiencing some horrible pain on the right outer side of my foot and the heal and my foot won't bend or flex unless I move it which hurts real bad. Has anyone else experienced this type of pain or does it seen like there is another injury added on to this one?
Hi everyone, it's lvw. I am out of the cast and walking with the inserts now for two weeks. I have progressed to a cane. I have lots of swelling and more pain than I have had up to now, but I understand that is to be expected. I was able to start driving myself to work this week. Yea!!! I come home every day and put my foot up and put and ice pack on it. I put it up some while I am work and have an ice pack there as well. I too have a lump on my heal. As I said, I am thinking most of these things are to be expected. The only real complaint I have is that my neice is getting married this weekend and I have not been able to find a pair of shoes other than my tennis shoes that accomidate the inserts. Oh well, life is too short to worry over much about that. lvw
I'm in week 8 and opted to go the conservative/non-surgical route (see my blog where I report my progress). I have yet to see a physio as they were too overwhelmed with patients to see me a fortnight ago, although I did have a good talk with one on the phone, who advised me to simply lift my foot gently up and down a few times. I'm also beginning to stand on the foot after I get up in the morning and gently lean forward until I can feel the stretch. I'm wondering though if their aren't other exercises I could be doing at this stage. I've been very naughty and walked (very carefully, and very slowly) a few yards around my home occasionally. The aircast boot I have been in since week 3 has enabled me to continue to work out on my rowing machine, and also to dance last Sunday at The Big Chill music festival (prompting other people to get up and boogie too!). Whilst at the festival I probably also walked around 4 miles, which was knackering but I suffered no after-effects in terms of pain, just a little more swelling than usual perhaps. Also at the festival I met a woman who was 6 months post-ATR and had also opted for the non-surgical treatment. She was now running 3 miles a day! Today I'm going to see if I can cycle the 3 miles to my mother's house.
Hi everyone - great blog. KD here. I am a 42 woman in Australia. I ruptured my right achilles playing netball. Instant pain, knew what had happened before I hit the ground ( I am a physiotherapist). Eventually had surgery 6 days post-injury. My surgeon here had me in a back slab/open cast for the first two weeks (foot pointing down), and now I am in a fibreglass cast, with partial (approx 20kg) weight bearing allowed on crutches. So I am four weeks along, and will have a new cast tomorrow, and another in a further two weeks, each time bringing my foot closer up to plantigrade (normal position). Total plan is 2 weeks open cast, 6 weeks serial casting, followed by heel raises in my shoe. And then the rehab will start. Being stuck at home, unable to do much is a nightmare, as I'm sure you'll all agree. Unusually for me, I am being a perfect patient, following my surgeon's instructions to a tee as I am fully aware how problematic re-rupture can be. My main problem seem to be swelling. If I have my leg down for extended periods, ie. at the computer, in the kitchen etc my cast feels really tight and my toes take on a sausage look! Not being able to exercise sucks. I'm going to ask my surgeon about a boot tomorrow as it would make showering etc so much easier. I know he thinks a boot can give a false sense of security and I may WB too much in it...... Thanks for listening.
Hi everyone. Well, tomorrow will be two weeks that I have been out of the cast(after eight weeks) and have the two lifts in my shoe. I have figured out that I do much better with tennis shoes than any other type of shoe. I have lots of swelling and more pain than before. I'm not complaining as I am so glad to be out of the case and able to walk. I just wondered how long to expect the swelling and pain. I go back to the doctor on Sept. 1 for re-evaluation. So, all of you who have been through this, how long will the swelling continue and the pain? Thanks, lvw
lvw,
I think the pain and swelling is because you are out of the cast and doing more. Like everything else, it will just happen one day that you realize things are really getting better. You said you had just gone back to work not too long ago and you had a wedding to go to etc... so your life is busy and increasing in activity. You still have 2 lifts in, you'll be losing those soon as well. With each progression, you discover "new things". Keep icing and elevating when you can. I did not really focus on the elevation and icing until I moved around more and then needed to 3-4 times a day - but it really helped. You'll get there, hang in there and don't do too much. It the scheme of life - this will be minimal if you take your time and do the right things! I am at 19 weeks, have minimal swelling, no longer walk with a limp and really don't have a lot of pain. If I walk too much or workout too hard, I feel a lot of stiffness and sometimes like my heel is bruised. I am also "weather sensitive" which makes me feel really old... knowing that it is going to rain without checking the weather! Stay patient and continue to rest it and ice it!
Thanks for the information and advise. It is pretty much what I thought. It does seem that every few days there is something new. Most of my pain has been in my heal and upper instep. Last night the area in the back of my heal along the achillies has started to have some stinging pain, not constant. I am guessing that this too will pass. I am really grateful for this site. It has certainly helped to hear from others who are going through the same things. LVW
Hi everyone from LVW. I have an infection in my leg, a strep infection. So I am on antibiotics for the next ten days...and am supposed to take it easy over the weekend and keep my leg elevated. Yuk. Will it never end. The good news is I am walking much better and with almost no pain most of the time. So, I will take the doctors advise and have a lazy weekend. LVW
Hello Everyone
Great to see this blog, didn't realize how common this injury is.
Would like to share my story, I'm a re-rupture example. For those wishing to rush things as well considering surgery option, please read below.
I'm a 35 yr old male, 200 lbs, 5'10", with a stocky build. Tore my tendon playing floor hockey in Mar-09. First major injury. Operated on shortly thereafter.
I am an avid walker + played lots of sport, and at the time, myself and my wife bough a home, while I was crazy busy at work - think stress and not stretching enough had a lot to do with it. And I'm as impatient as a number of those who have posted here.
Unfortunately, had a slip during moving (4th week post op). My Doctor didn't think it was re-ruptuted (likely small tear?). Doctor still fast tracked my recovery (believer of aggresive recovery), no prescribed BOOT, only bigger heel on running shoe. Felt Ok when starting to weight bear by 7th week, and on 8th week doctor gave go-ahead to ditch crutches. Re-ruptured 4 days later going up stairs to my house.
2nd op was at beginning of June, with FHL transfer to support tendon. Was doing ROM + stretching after 2 weeks, + fitted in knee high BOOT, NWB though. At week 7, small area of wound (area of re-ruptire) required additional healing, doctor advised continued NWB until 3rd week of August as a result.
Now 11 weeks post op, saw doctor this week and wound now healed. Just started weight bearing, although still with crutches. PT to start next week. Baby steps!
I have been told my AT will be Ok, and that i will still get back to normal, albeit I should target up to 1 year before being to engage in higher level training / sports play.
Thank God I have a wife is very supportive, would not be able to come this far without her.
My advise to all: SLOW DOWN! Our body are not machines. Daily life brings physical stress when we least expect it. Also, listen to your body, and Doctors are not perfect. Think carefully also about the option you choose (surgery / non-surgical) - should match your lifestyle. Lastly, make sure to wear a running / court shoe on your good foot at all times when on crutches, as well as look down at every step your take on crutches.
Looking forward to a full recovery - mental strength / meditation is key!
PT
THANK YOU SO MUCH, PT! Finally, someone who shares the unthinkable to those of us who couldn't imagine going thru this AGAIN! I appreciate you for letting us know what can happen by being too aggressive, and advising us to take heed and not to overdo. In my earlier posts (53 yr old female, right ATR during workout, 6mos post op this month), I took notice of surgical/non surgical options and the aggessive vs conservative routes. And truly glad I followed my Dr's conservative route, and my own gut feelings, along with my apprehensive nature and scardy cat ways! I still limit myself maybe more than I should, but just from reading and believing, I am doing just fine, slower than I would like and still not walking as before, but walking, nonetheless and being safe instead of rushing things. I just couldn't imagine dealing with this again! Your post was a big wake up call, and much appreciated! Hope this helps others, no matter what route they dedide to take in recovery. This is no joke!!
Ladyjewels
PS: Hang in there, lvw!! Did they say what caused the infection?
Good Morning from LVW. No, my doctor thinks it entered through my incision. He does not think it has involved the AT. I will call back this morning after the weekend of taking it easy, keeping the leg up and taking the meds. It does not look any worse, but not really that much better. I wish it would quit itching. Hopefully, the doc will have some suggestions today. I agree about taking things slowly. I too cannot imagine having to go through this again. I was so dissappointed in the beginning that my doctor was so conservative in his treatment, but after hearing about re-ruptures, I am grateful and will continue to listen to what he says. LVW
So, I went back to doctor yesterday. We now believe that I am having a delayed alergic reaction to something in the cast as that is the only place I have this very red and very itchy rash. Received a shot and a non-drowsy antihistamine. It is looking less red today. I have found that damp cold compresses help the itching the most. Hopefully another day or two and it will feel much better. The doctor is keeping a close watch. LVW
Hi
I am now 17 weeks post surgery after a cricket related incident. Beach cricket...never again! I had an open repair 12 days after the rupture and as a result my tendon is still very tight. I can now walk unaided but need crutches for hills and longer distances. I cannot drive yet because I have very little flexibility in the ankle joint. I hope that walking, running and driving will return in time. My physio is great and he is working me hard. I would love to hear from anyone who is at a similar stage in their rehab.
Great site, I wish I had found this sooner!!!
Full rupture of right Achilles 7-2-09, open surgery on 7-9-09 and into full cast for 5 weeks. Then into a walking boot with 50% weight bearing with crutches. Started PT on 8-18-09 and stopped using tghe crutches that day. Started to drive again but not easily with the boot on. PT is contacting my DR to see about advancing the PT treatment as I am doing very well. I can walk without anything but is very labored. PT guy says that I will be walking normally by the end of September! : ) I'm a 45 year old weekend warrior. Ruptured playing softball. I do have some tightness but am doing the PT excersizes all the time!!
Spoke with doctor's office just about every day last week and went back on Friday. Turns out I have had another alergic reaction to the antibiotics that I received for infection on leg. Off of antibiotics and will be so glad when they are completely out of my system. I have had a secondary rash that is slowly disappearing, but the itching has been awful. I am walking much better and will see surgion on Tuesday afternoon for another eval and see what is next. I will be so glad when he says I can walk without shoe on with the risers in it. I have walked a few steps barefooted a few times and boy did it feel good. On Tuesday it will have been almost twelve weeks since the AT rupture. I am not complaining for I know how fortunate I have been. Hope everyone else is doing better. LVW
I saw the surgeon today and he has released me. Said I would not need to do physical therapy, but to continue walking and walking on treadmill would be okay. Told me not to be jumping up and down for the next three months. Said I could take the heal risers out of my shoe. He said that my incision looked good and had healed well. So, no trampoline, but it is okay to walk. I am so glad. Will take it easy and keep in mind all that I have read on the blog.
hi guys
gr8 to see this site.i just want to share my experience. i am from indian air force posted to one of remote areas in india known as andman and nicobar island.well i am 31 years old and while playing badminton i suddennly felt numbness and pain in right side above anknle (15 july2009). i immediately rushed to hospital,since there was no orthopedic suregon,case was seen by surgical specialsit,but he was not sure about diagnosis,radilologist called,did USG but he felt it was minor strain. i was put on cast. 2 weeks later i had repeat USG.then radiologist told me it might be partial tear.i was then transferred to banglore where immediately MRI was done, which showed complete rupture with 9 mm gap inbetween.i was operated on next day ( 3aug 09). i was put on anterior slab for 2 weeks and suture ( staples)were removed after 2 weeks. i was then put on pneumatic brace with angle adjustment,now i am in 5th week from day of operation and angle is 10 degrees still non weight bearing.just want to know what is rehab protocol as my surgery is delayed for 2 weeks.i am very active person and i would like to play again soon
I completely ruptured my left Achilles tendon playing basketball on August 16th. I felt as if someone had threw a basketball or stepped on the back of my foot. I tried to walk off the court an felt as if my shoe had a brink in it. Went in for an MRI the next day and they confirmed a full rupture. Had surgery on the 24th and the following two days were miserable due to the meds. I decided to just ditch the meds and fight through the pain, I don't know what was worse as the withdrawal symptoms were horrible (nausea, loss appetite, hot/cold flashes, etc..).
Had the stitches removed 10 days later and they put me in a fixed cast. All was well until today, I walked with my kids to the park using my roll-about. While at the park, I turned to look at something and fell over and naturally used my leg to brace the fall, of-course it was my bad leg. I'm at home now and my leg really burns and the tendon is throbbing.
For those of you that have fell post surgery while in a cast/boot, have you re-ruptured or does it just hurt for a while?
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