I also did some reading on the Achilles surgery itself and found out that there are basically two types of surgery:
open surgery and percutaneous surgery. The difference is that the percutaneous method requires only a few incisions, so there are fewer complications in the skin healing process. However, since the doctor will have less visibility of the area, the potential for nerve damage is greater than in the standard, open surgery. This
article also gives you a good overview of the two methods.
Open surgery requires a larger incision, but it leaves the area wide open for the surgeon to work with more ease, therefore reducing the possibility of nerve damage.
This site explains the open surgery technique in detail and shows some pictures (not for the squeamish).
Open surgery can also performed using several
grafting techniques (using other tendons and materials to reinforce the Achilles tendon in the repair site).
In my case, I had the standard open surgery (non-percutaneous).
19 comments:
I went with the open surgery too after reading about the possible nerve damage with the other technique. I'd rather have a longer scar than nerve damage in the leg!!!
MJ - The Achilles tendon Story
March 10th 2009 Tuesday – A Day to remember!
So there I was playing badminton and after 45 mins, its seemed like someone kicked me in the ankle. I could feel my foot swell up and my foot could not be placed on the floor. I took my shoe and sock off and all I know is it hurts.
I said bye to my friends and rushed off to drive home, before I couldn’t. I came home told my wife and put some frozen pees on it and took some ibuprofen. Not understanding the full implications of this injury.
I askedmy wife to Google and Achilles tendon for me, and suddenly I became slightly concerned. Partial tear…. Broken who knows
March 11th wed – The Verdict
Went to see my GP in the morning, and he pinched my calf muscle and no response from my foot. I was told I needed surgery and an appt for consultant was made at Bushey Spire.
My Dad took me and I was told the benefits of surgery and the risks, the same with non surgery. I opted for surgery, hey I was still young and wanted to run and kick a ball etc…
5 Days passed before my surgery…. That was too long to wait reading all there was on this surgery I frightened myself.
16th March – Surgery Day – The waiting over
Scheduled between 6-9pm, at the Wellington hospital for surgery. St Johns wood. Mum and Dad took me. I had general anaesthetic and was knocked out. I have a half a cast on my leg. I stayed over until Tuesday and was given a crash course on crutches.
Been at home now for a week, can’t wash, shave, carry anything, stairs are a nightmare. I slide down the stairs and pull myself up. I sit down all day…. Nothing to do but work. Laptop on my lap and getting on with it.
No pain killers…. They make me sick.
Trying not to get down… long road ahead.
March 24th – 1st Check Up
Went to see the consultant – Nice guy.
I had the cast removed and had the stitches cut and removed… boy did that hurt luckily my wife was there to help me, and I needed her handed…. Colourful language would have been expressed loudly otherwise. I have a new cast on now and another two weeks to wait. Can’t wash properly, or go to the toilet or make a cup of tea. Stairs are a nightmare. No pain though!
Ordered a cast protector to allow me to shower cant wait…….
April 7th
Well lets just say I wanted to see my leg and foot and touch it. This is hard work.
They changed the cast and now I have a new one, two more weeks and the cast comes off permanently.
My leg looks terrible no muscle left just skinny legs…. Oh why…..???
I am slowing getting down; I cannot do anything for myself…. I think this is getting me down.
This is Easter break, and now kids are sick
Who the f* knows! Why this happened…. Far worse people than me out there! these are my thoughts sad!
Had enough now! 21st April roll on. Been out about twice in a month! What joy!
April 21st
Well today I went to the hsopital they took my cast of saw my leg not a pretty sight. They put me in air cast boot dam heavy. I will begin to walk now with crutches still.
Leg looks bad, no movement in flexing my foot. I will try hard to do exercises and move it. Long way to go bit scared about popping it.
26th May is a long way off.
Using the walking boot seems ok , no pain but I have to sleep with it . I can at least shower well and walk with one crutch. Next visit the 26th May….. Physio starts soon, so let see. Started flexing my foot, what a mess it looks….
When I get out of this I want to run like forest Gump!..
Get surgery ASAP!!!!! It is well documented that you'll want to get it done no longer than 2 days after injury. Due to poor timing I had to wait 3. Percutaneous or open style surgery's are available. Pro's and con's to each. Research it, but you probably won't have an option. I had to have the open. It was pretty quick (1.5 hrs. I think), local anasthetic, put a hard cast on it and went home. The quality of surgery you get is a big factor so keep your fingers crossed. My surgeon said it went well. If at all possible try to get an aircast so you can do cold therapy. I didn't get that option.
..but don't sweat too much if you don't. I had mine done 9 days after, and got back to full strength and fitness.
12 Days post op now and just bored. I am having no pain still and it is frustrating because it makes me think that I can walk and I know that I can't.
Did anyone have the tendon lengthening as well? How long does that take to heal?
Hope all are doing well.
Have a safe and happy Easter, God Bless,
Karen
Just got back from doctor. 4 weeks post op and I get to be weight bearing. I was really surprised. I start physical therapy today at 1pm. I am so excited!!!!!
Hang in there everyone who is at the beginning. It does get easier.
Dave with a AT just got back from doc, he suggest surgery and I am torn(no punt intended)between just rest to heal or will it ever? I did it last Sunday stepping off a 14" ledge. It's bad enough I still walked on it for two days till I went into clinic have it checked out. I am older 50s and stubborn! any feedbacks?
Tore mine mid January. Wrong diagnosis locally. Had surgery January 16. It hasn't been fun at 2 weeks post op. Doc hopes he doesn't need to cast,although they had to do a complete implementation of a new(to me) tendon. I think it is going to be a bumpy long road.Kind of depressing
Dear David
Have the sergury, trust me, you wont regret it, the pain without the sergury is unbearable and will get worse, just do it and it will be a couple of month then you will be as good as new.
I had a partial tear of my achilles tendon and for a year tried night splint, stretching exercises, boot/cast. I just had surgery on April 6th. I had an open repair with a tendon graft(tendon from my big toe) as well as anchors. Painful for the first two days, and I took percocet and that relieved most of the pain. So now I am 4 1/2 weeks post op and I can start putting weight on my foot but only with the boot and crutches. I am doing range of motion exercises for 20 minutes/day and next week start PT.
Well, I now have a cast for 2 weeks.Surgery was April 16. Complete new tendon sewn in. It is getting better I thnk. Can't wait to get this really limiting cast off and star PT. Then I get to decide what do about my bad knee on the same leg that that underwent surgery last year.Joy!Joy!
had surgery may 18th(4 days after tear) to repair my torn AT that I suffered playing basketball. I'm at 16 days post op and feeling GREAT. No painkillers and I was able to get into a CAM Boot at 10 days post op. Haven't really had much pain, the worst part off this mess is the smell of the Cam Boot.I start PT next Friday June 11th which will put me at just under 4 weeks post op. I'm looking forward to start weight bearing and hopefully getting off the crutches ASAP.
I hope you all are doing well. I haven't posted for awhile. I am just about 5 months post op, and 2 1/2 months after breaking the cuboid bone in the same foot. I am doing very well most of the time. I bike a lot, walk a lot, but no hiking yet. By the end of a long day my ankle looks like a donut around the back...is that normal? Wore heels to Open House last night...big mistake. Anyone else still having trouble with swelling? Trying the new Skecher Shape-ups. They felt pretty comfortable the first day. What do you think?
Linda
Great site - I've referred to it several times before the surgery ten days ago. It's been very helpful. In fact, so much so that I started a blog of my own about my experience - it's a different "angle" than this one, so I wouldn't recommend that anyone quit reading this one to start reading mine - but if you want a different take on it, check mine out as well:
http://achillestendondrama.blogspot.com/
Good luck to everyone!
I am having my surgery tomorrow on my left Achilles tendon that I rupture playing soccer.
Today is the second day after my surgery and I am doing great. I went to the doctor and saw the wound for the first time and it looks good. Little swelling too. They changed my soft cast into a hard one. I forgot to mention that I had my surgery four weeks and two days after my injury...it is a long story that I share in:
http://myachillesruptureexperience.blogspot.com/
Well you would think at 40 I should have more brains and learnt my lesson. 10 years ago I snapped my right AT playing netball, but no no tried again 10 years later and have now snapped my left AT. Knew straight away what I had done but really did not want to believe it. Playing my first game didn't even make it to quarter time when I felt that oh so familiar ping.
Had the op 8 days after the injury, quite appropriate date really, April Fools Day - 01/04/2011 is a date I won't forget in a hurry. Just had my cast changed for the second time, repositioned my foot from ballerina to half way normal. Well that foot did not want to change position did it, I shall remember the pain killers prior to visiting the hospital in a month when they try to position my foot back to normal. I will be brave as a 40 year old should be...will keep you posted as to how brave I really was!
I must say but, I am getting out and about much more than last time thanks to my very supportive family and friends around me. My daughter was 8 months old the first time I did it so this time I must say she is amazing along with my 7 year old son who have helped me around the house like you wouldn't believe. I am very proud of both of them.
Well making the most of the weekend whilst my husband is home, we are off fishing, nothing nicer than sitting in a comfy chair watching my family having a wonderful time and just seeing them smile and laugh makes me realise how lucky I am and how a silly injury really is insignificant compared to the millions of people in the world in hospital today too sick to get out of bed.
The sun is shining it's a beautiful day on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia so I'm off fishing. Will let you know how many fish we catch.
I was breakdancing (literally) (10+yrs) last Friday and felt a snap, accompanied by the feeling of someone kicking the back of my leg hard! I turned around and nobody was there! Funny that many experience this same feeling... I limped away pulled down my sock to make sure I didn't have a compound fracture! lol. My arch of my foot vanished and felt like i was stepping in potholes on the way the car. Lots of pain from swelling and blood rushing to the area when standing for the first few days.
Got an MRI the 3rd day which confirmed a 99% tear. I am 34yr old male by the way. Was issued an airboot promptly and have been elevating it everyday. The past day or two Ive had no pain whatsoever, swelling is gone and I am able to walk with a limp fairly well! Only 8 days later! Strange.
Scheduled for surgery tommorow, 9 days after accident. Kind of feels like I dont need surgery. Howeever, I'm more likely to re-rupture if I dont.
I had an open procedure but also PRP (platelet rich plasma) to help accelerate healing.
Post a Comment