While the doctor had only allowed me to put 50 pounds of weight (still with the boot), I started testing my limits and gradually putting more and more weight. If you have the boot on you are pretty safe, since it will not allow any extension of the tendon. There would be moments in which it felt as if I was putting one ton of weight on the injured leg, because it was still very week. I could also feel a tingling sensation (like needles) if the weight was too much. I let those “needles” be my measure of when I was putting down too much weight. By week 10 I was already taking a few steps with one crutch only (since my injured foot was the right one, I used only the left crutch). After a couple of days I started trying some steps with no crutches, leaning on tables or walls. Two or three days after that, I was already walking without crutches. By week 12 I had another appointment with the doctor who, seeing that I was already full weight bearing (with the boot) gave me the OK to start physical therapy.
Once the doctor allowed me to start putting weight, I decided it was time to go back to driving. Since I was still on the boot, I used my left foot to both accelerate and break (I drive an automatic). At the beginning it felt weird but with one weekend of practice I was ready to take the plunge. I don’t know if it is legal or not to drive with the left foot, but I figured that I could do a better job with my left foot than many of the 85 year olds that you see driving daily here in South Florida. In fact, I got so comfortable braking with my left foot I still do it now (six months post-op) out of habit.
81 comments:
I am 7 weeks post op, cam walker one week. Twenty percent WB. I can't wait to drive. I was wondering about driving with the left foot. I am scared to try.
why is everyone so scared about driving with the left foot? just go out and practice!!! at least you don't need two feet to drive a manual and are stuck at home/dependent on others for three months! c'mon, look at the bright side...
I would check with the laws in your state or area where you plan to drive. Some states prohibit vehicle operation with the left foot. There is also a possibility of you being liable if you are in a accident. It has been about 9 weeks since my achilles ruptured and every thing is going well. I just can't wait to ditch this boot. Just be careful driving it can be very scary at first.
I had my achilles totally raptured during a play of tennis. I had operation the same day. 7 weeks in cast.
I am in my 9th week post operation and 15 days physical therapy.
I can walk with crutches with no problem.
The last few days I try to walk without cruthes but feel yet unstable. I will probably need at least one more week for a more confident walk.
hi everyone, i have been about 8 weeks post op and i have been able to weight bear with my boot on. Its summer time and I cant stand not swimming or not doing anything. Is there a way that I can go into the pool or ocean where I wont hurt myself. I mean do I have to wear the boot in or is there a shoe i can buy where I would be ok? Please if anyone has any suggestion please let me know.
What's the big deal about driving? I had a complete achille's rupture and was driving a manual transmission a week after the surgery. Or maybe it was less than a week. Anyway, you just figure out how to use the pedals with whole leg motions rather than with the foot/heel.
There is a wide range of where your progression should be at 8 - 10 weeks. I spoke with a guy who at day 8 had his cast removed and started PT at 14 days. He was WB at this time too. At 8 weeks, he was able to lift his entire weight onto the toes.
I'm also told by my Chiropractor that I should stay off of it or heavy scar tissue may form.
My surgeon has given me no information or exercises. At week 6, I asked if I can do further damage and he says no, but don't over do it. He told me not to use weights but I can use all of my own body weight. Very vague. The surgeon hasn't recommended anything to me. My friend told me that I should go see my GP as the surgeon's job is not to provide info on rehab. (maybe this is a Canadian thing) I'm seeing my GP shortly.
From week 6, I haven't used my boot during the day and have been walking (limping) without any aids. I've also been stretching the tendon at night by wearing the boot to bed and gradually increasing the wedges on the toe side. I'm careful not to over stretch it as it will become inflamed. It also becomes inflamed when I'm on my feet for several hours.
I have a theory that if your leg muscles atrophy, blood circulation is reduced thereby causing blood pooling and swelling. Can anyone verify this?
Also another theory is that when the ankle muscles are weak, there is a much higher risk of rupturing your Achilles tendon. I ruptured mine after playing on a weakened ankle after spraining it 4 hours earlier. Any one have a comment about this?
I had my achilles fully ruptured May 1st and had surgery May 5th. I just left the doctor's office (June 17th) after 6 full weeks from surgery and now have no boot or crutches and am walking FWB around the home and office in my regular shoes with the aid of a small lift in the heel. I even golfed this last Friday with my boot on and hit the ball quite well. I read numerous comments on a few sites when I first had surgery and was not happy about the down time based on what I was reading. I am here to say that if you keep off it the first 2 weeks, have a healthy diet and I used magnetics around the foot at all times you will have a great recovery time.
I am in week 10 post surgery for a full rupture and this appears to be the "magical" week for everyone else on the site too where you can walk w/o crutches yet still w/boot. Did mine rounding first chugging for second in softball game.
I am in week 10 post surgery for a full rupture and this appears to be the "magical" week for everyone else on the site too where you can walk w/o crutches yet still w/boot. Did mine rounding first chugging for second in softball game.
This is my first post on this subject but I've been watching reading for a while. I'm 8 weeks post op. Started PT 4 weeks after surgery. 2 weeks later I was in street shoes (not with doctors approval mind you). Just saw the doctor he wants 3 more weeks of PT, he'll see me one more time and then I will be released. Since surgery I've had zero pain and my only discomfort comes from swelling. Life is good.....Randy
Last labor day I jumped on to the Tennis court without warming up.Huge mistake!As I sprinted to the net to play a drop shot,I felt a pain as if I was shot.I fully ruptured my right achillies.A week later I had surgery to repair my ankle,everything went really well.11 week's after surgery,believe it or not I was back to work.I am a Union Electrician in NYC building sky scrapper's so it was a big deal to be back on the job.Any way almost a year after my accident/injury I played my first round of Tennis.I moved around o.k. but i'm trying to stay off the ball's of my feet.Good luck to all who suffer from this terrible injury.with hard work and determination you can make it back quickly doing the thing's you love to do.
has anyone been experiencing a tremondous amount of pain in their heel after ditching the crutches and just using the boot
Tore mine, July 4th (water volleybal) surgery July 9th. First soft cast until July 21 then hard cast until Aug 4 (2 weeks). At this time my option and I opted for removable boot. Aug 5 first PT and after paranoia and confusion of Weight Bearing (Dr. stated I would know when, PT is very agressive and said within a week) and basic motion drills with big rubber bands and 20 min sound waves, felt somewhat better. That night with first full bath to scrub leg was slice of heaven. Went back to PT 2 days later and actually walked out with 1 crutch and Boot. 3 days later limited motion without boot and big time limp and stiffness with forward motion. Tried heel lift in tennis shoe an limped around house. Not ready to go outside with this until I go back to PT. Gets better daily go back to PT today (2 days shy of 5 weeks post op) with no crutch an walking boot. Will be interesting to see this weeks progression. Goal to be out of boot all together by next Mon. we'll see. I have been driving with left foot since 1st week of surgery. No Problems, just careful. What a awful physically and emotianally draining injury!!
Tore mine July 4th (water volleyball) had surgery on 9th of July. Wore soft cast 2 days short of 2 weeks then went into hard cast 2 weeks. Removed last Mon (4 weeks post op) then graduated to boot.
1st PT Tues basic motions and worked on strength with bands. Electronic pulse treatments and more stretching and strength. 2nd PT Thurs actually did above and progressed to paralell bars with light walking training. By end of session was walking with boot and 1 crutch. Limited weight bearing. By weekend put lift in tennis shoe and was shuffeling around house. Leg very stiff without boot and limited forward motion. Continued to stretch with bands daily. I have been in Gym riding bike 20 min every day since boot has been on 1 week. Cumbersom but re-building muscle in bum leg is my mission. Yesterday bought portable hand massage to break up stiffness and increase blood flow. Awsome results. Go back to PT today and hope to be out of boot with confidence by end of week. All my surgeon buddys tell me 6 weeks (next week) for tendon to fully heal and mend and 7 to 8 my surgeon tells me he is not worried about re tearing. He keeps telling me I will know where to stop and start on weight bearing and positively streatch and re-build muscle daily (limited).
I have been driving since 5 days after surgery, no problems, left foot and careful.
Go back to PT today and looking forward to progress. Physically and emotianally one of the most draining injuries I have ever had.
Just returned from PT and did basic range of motion, thera band stretch, then put my tennis shoes with heel support on right foot. Walked on machine that measures stride. Today is 5 weeks from surgery, go back to doctor Monday but PT says "possibly" no boot after monday. Ankle still weak.
I also suscribe to the daily, routine of what ever your body will allow you to do. I will say I ride stationary bike (with boot) level 3 for 20 to 25 min daily and that has rebuilt strength in right leg.
wow, I'm scared now. I'm 2 weeks post op and am partial weight baring with my boot, one stick when out and about none in the house, my advice I guess every surgeon has his own method. Anyone else have such an aggressive rehab plan?
JonM, yours seems to be on the aggressive side, but not unreasonable, I think. I had a full rupture of the right achilles. I'm a 38YO male.
Surgery 6 days later and left the hospital with a hard cast.
8 days after surgery the hard cast was removed and I was put in a cam boot with 2" heel lift.
15 days after surgery I had the stitches removed and was told I could put about half my weight on the right leg while using crutches. I wasn't comfortable doing that at first, but eventually put 1/4 to 1/2 my weight on it after 2.5 weeks.
Was told I could use one crutch at 3 weeks, but instead stopped using my crutches altogether at 3.5 weeks because my elbows, wrist and hands were starting to hurt from the crutches and I was afraid of getting secondary injuries (my right elbow still pops a lot now and I'm at 5.5 weeks post surgery). I started using a cane.
I'm at 5.5 weeks post-surgery and was told that at my 6 week appt that I can bring in 'normal' shoes (ideally a dress shoe with a heel). I'm excited to be in normal shoes so I can drive again.
I don't know what it will be like trying to walk with my emaciated leg and ankle that's frozen up. I'm sure I'll have a limp, but I'm committed to physical therapy (which I haven't started yet) to get back to as normal as possible as soon as possible.
I should also note (I made the previous post) that I removed one of the heel lifts at 4 weeks post-surgery. So I have a 1" heel lift now. Was a little difficult when I first removed the heel lift because I couldn't quite comfortably stretch my ankle that far, but it was fine after a few hours.
I'm now 7 weeks post op, and last night wore my first right shoe for the first time in nearly 2 months! It took me a good 30 minutes to find the Right shoe though, I haven't looked for it in some time.
Yesterday I had my first physio appt. It was great, but scary, having the tendons and muscles in my foot loosened up and getting a bunch of exercises to do to strengthen everything. The physio said I should stay out of the boot except when in 'dangerous' situations (e.g. in public, climbing stairs, walking down a street in Iraq etc).
She said I should be walking and driving in about 2 weeks - so I have a New Years resolution to take my first crutch free steps on January 1, and 12:01AM. And this year I think I'll be totally sobor!
In the meantime I'm heading to the gym evey 2nd day and using the exercise bike with the boot on - makes the foot feel great - and working out the thigh muscles as much as possible, to the extent that after a few weeks of this my upper thigh on my 'bad' leg has a bigger muscle than on my good leg. And using all the upper body machines too, gets the endorphins flowing and makes me feel good!
Anyone who has just done this, hang in there, things get better and if you make sure you stay busy and fit (with the help of friends and family)you will cruise over this small speedhump in lifes journey.
Cheers,
Paul T
Exciting news (for me) - I just walked without crutches or the boot, in shoes with a heel lift, for the first time in 7 1/2 weeks! It took me about 30 minutes this morning to get my balance and I haven't needed to use them since.
Also went for a short drive (my right foot is the damaged one. No problems but will take it slowly.
Cheers,
Paul T.
Hi
Am in Northern Ireland. My local clinic won't use surgery at all for any rupture, so have been in a cast since 6th Dec 08 and am due to go into the boot 7th Jan 09 - was banking on being able to drive 2 weeks after that so that my husband and son can get back to their routines, but have a manual car, bit concerned after reading this that I'm being overly optimistic.
FranD
Hello to all,
My name is David and I was refereeing basketball when I heard a loud pop and went down. It was my right achilles and I ruptured it about 1 1/2 inches above my heal. I had surgery December 24th and I would say Im doing great. Im now 5 weeks post op and can walk in my boot with a limp around the house. For longer walks I use crutches but can put weight on that foot. Saw my doctor at week 4 and he said my incision and tendon looked and felt"super". I still get swelling when the leg is down. I have my first P.T. next week at week 6. Doctor took half the wedge out of my boot and that was odd for a day, but tendon is stretching and feels good. I have found this to be a useful tool for what to expect throughout this process. I will continue with updates.
I am week 7, since my surgery. Full rupture of my left achilles. I guess I feel fortunate as I started driving once my hard cast was removed at 4 wks. That day I drove with my walking boot..of course having my leg down too long caused pain so I didn't drive too far the 1st week. It's weekn 7 and I'm in my shoe now and partially assisted with my crutch for part of the day, started physio which is great but I'm still pretty stiff in the morning, it's like starting over again but I guess that's normal.
Hello,
This is David again, just wanted to give an update. I had my first PT appt yesterday at 1 day shy of 6 weeks. The therapy included heat, electro stimulation, icing, massage and range of motion exercises. Therapist was very informative and I felt great after. I still get swelling when leg is down for any period of time over 3 hours. Im just starting to walk around the house (slowly) with no bootcast.I feel very good about where Im at on the timeline.
David, you're doing great! I'm at my 8th week now...I ditched my boot & Crutch at the end of my 7th week and I'm walking, at the gym, finished helping my husband take siding of a house today...it's still tight but certainly feels better when I move alot. I'm not half way standing on my toes on the injured achilles..bit of a way to go with building up the calf strength but really pleased so far. My brain is playing tricks on me and almost forgot I was injured...kind of ran to get the phone...bad idea yet! Everythings ok but whoah!
I had my achilles tendon severed on March 10. A sheet metal shed rolled over my ankle, slicing clean through the tendon. I had surgery on March 18 and its been 5 weeks since. I am still in a cast and plan to get a boot at week 7. Is the recovery much different if i severed my tendon instead of rupturing it?
Day 21 to 24 have been huge. I tested walking in the pool and felt good. Just for kicks, I tested it out of the water the following day and loved it so much that I am walking and doing stairs around the house. I have accelerated everything because it feels good. I am still careful on it just using it more which I hope will avoid massive atrophy. I am starting to slowly rebuild the leg. Mentally, much better since the blog. Stace
Hey everybody...
I completely ruptured my Achilles playing B-ball 12 weeks ago (11 since surgery). I was in a hard cast for 10 weeks and I just got into the boot last week, although I still have to use crutches and can only "tap" my foot on the ground. I am looking forward to when I can ditch the crutches and just start walking (even with the boot)!
Severed Tendon question, hi. I severed mine too. Well blunt force trauma severed it, not a slicing like yours. My understanding is the recovery and rehab is the same, the only difference is without the tendonitis you don't have to worry so much down the road that tendonitis could cause another rupture. Hope that helps, hang in there! It's been a while since your post, you're probably back to normal or close to it hopefully!
Had operation on a ruptured right Achilles tendon, 25th June 09. I'm female, 52. Slept on couch downstairs for 2 weeks as my arms are weak, I couldnt use crutches to climb upstairs. I have the use of a walking frame. Had bird baths in the kitchen sink. Because my tendons hard hardly any blood supply, the surgeon used a special artificial achilles tendon.
Week3 after stitches were removed, I was able to put some pressure on my foot and walk only inside the house for 10 mins without my frame. In stead of my foot being swollen and a deep purple colour. Normal skin tone colour has returned. But after physio today, there is considerable burning pain in the heel and pain in the calf. I'm back to lying down and resting the foot and taking Panedine Forte as my pain medication.
thanks for creating this blog! I get more information here than from my doctor. I am 9 wks post op and 10 wks post injury. I just received my walking boot last night. It is a relief. Doctor said i need to wear it 24-7 for a month before I can start therapy. after reading the blog and the comments, i feel more secure putting more weight on my injured foot. i just feel it is awkward as the boot is so high. again, thanks for all the input - Nel of Illinois
I was the “Tim Allen” of my high school. If I couldn't fix it, I couldn't put it back together. I have yet to fashion a hand control for the accelerator on my F150 because I realized all I had to do was pull (by hand) on the top of the assembly behind the dash. I could do that with a strap. Breaking with the left foot is a no brainer for anyone who ever drove a stick. Six weeks post surgery, I start PT tomorrow with the forecast of another six in the boot all be it as a walker. My wife won’t ride with me so for the sake of six more weeks I’ll install the hand control using the rear hand brake from my mountain bike. Yes, I’m an engineer.
I'm just starting week six. Doc says he wants me trying to walk in the boot weight bearing. I've been hoppling around with one crutch putting a little weight on it, but I'm still pretty hesistant. No pain just a little bit of a stretch. week 8 he wants me out of the boot and starting Physicaltherapy. OH and I've been driving with my left foot since week 2. SPent 15 minutes around the parking lot before I got on the highway...its cake.
I am at exactly 11 weeks post surgery and have been going to PT twice a week for about three weeks now. All was going well until my session today when I had a rather sharp painful sensation that was right about mid-ankle along the incision line. I took off my sneakers (the kind with the velcro straps so they are nice and soft), thinking that must be what was hitting against the incision site, but I still had this feeling, sort of how like I still had stitches there.
My PT immediately ceased my weight bearing exercises and did a massage on the ankle and foot to stretch it out a bit, saying he felt and saw nothing of concern. However, we both noticed about one inch of black surgical suturing coming out of the area, indicating clearly that I had some deep stitches done during my surgery. I see my surgeon next week and will find out what all this means, but was wondering if anyone else has encountered this? In particular, have you ever seen suture/string in the incision area this long after surgery? Thanks, and again, best of luck to all who are going through this. With any luck, I will be cleared to drive for the first time in nearly three months and cannot wait!
Thanks for your blog. I had surgery in September and have referred to it often ever since. I am in week 10 and hope to get my boot off soon. I am realizing that it will not be back to business as usual just because I'm getting my boot off. In fact, I think I may be slowed down again getting used to life without the boot. I may get too cocky and find myself injured again - the boot is like insurance! I am looking forward to the physio and getting better soon.
hi everyone this is my 12th week of surgery and braving wisconsin weather with my injured foot.i am out of crutches and 3rd week of pt.recently since one week i have spasms on my ankle so i went to see my surgeon and he gave me prescription for valium. i am just not sure about taking valium so my quechon to everyone who had surgery in past and did any one had this kind of problem?if yes so please guide me on this. thanx
I've been reading this blog for so long so I should contribute. I'll skip over the details of the injury, but I am currently 9 weeks and 6 days post-op (in my 10th week). Timeline:
Week 5 (days 28-35): still in plaster cast but gradually applied weight on it. weird feeling initially, mostly in the achilles ankle itself since it had been a month since it's withstood any weight. I thought this period was helpful since it helped build up sensation for when I took my cast off...
Week 6-7: off my cast and into a shoe immediately! like someone else on this blog said, the first shower was heaven. seems most people had a walking boot still, and this was the part where I thought doing PWB during week 5 helped (to get my right foot used to the weight and pressure). I was walking on two crutches initially for speed and endurance, but by week 7 I was mostly on one crutch, still PWB (FWB by end of 7th week). My right ankle could not perform the rolling, heel-toe motion that a healthy ankle would when walking (dr's orders and it was very tight), so mostly walking with my foot perpendicular and flat to the ground.
Week 8-9: I had a check-up with the doc at the end-of-7-week mark, he said things looked good, so I can start trying to apply the ankle-rolling motion when I walk, but no tippy-toe, no jumping (of course), and no sudden bursts (of course of course). The rolling of the ankle takes some getting used to b/c of the tightness and, for me at least, the natural reflex to not exert any more force the moment I feel discomfort/pain (mostly the former). However, like other people on this board, by end of week 8 I really switched from walking flat-footed and slowly to walking closer to normal motion, albeit with a limp. The main reason for the limp is that my right calf had atrophied so much there was no strength to push off of my right toe (much less get even close to supporting my weight; this is where the physio exercise matters, i.e. heel-lifts, lots and lots of them, to build the calf muscle back up).
Week 10: I think week 10 day 4 (so 67 days post op) was a big development since my right calf got to the point where I can, very barely, do one-footed heel lifts! I've been doing them since then and my calf is getting stronger every day (as was the case when I first started doing two-footed heel lifts). I think once I become strong enough to do this with ease (as I do with two-footed heel lifts) the limp in my walk should go away. The swelling has also reduced greatly/gone away the past few days (my right ankle area, calf, foot, etc., all swelled up very noticeably by the end of each day). This is basically where I am at right now.
According to my doctor, the end-goal of the physio (probably by week 11 or 12) is to be able to squat, and to roll from squatting, to being on your back, back to squatting. I don't want to push it right now though, as my flexibility is not fully back yet, but it's improving slowly.
Physio started twice-a-week at the 5.5 week mark (half a week after I removed the cast). It helps to reduce the swelling and helps the tissue heal. I also went to the pharmacy and bought this anti-scarring kelo-cote scar gel which has helped the incision wound heal better it seems (less skin-surface pain, hopefully it will also minimize the scar and scar tissue as advertised, not sure yet, needs to be applied for 60 days). Unlike other anti-scar creams/gels, this one does not require you to massage the wound for 15 minutes at a time.
Anyways, that's my experience with the injury so far. Basically 6 weeks post-op and I started walking everywhere, bringing one crutch for safety (lost of balance may induce reflex reaction that supports all your body weight with your bad leg and can cause re-rupture, so be careful!), and an inflection point in the recovery occurred around week 8. It has required a lot of patience, but I played a game of dodgeball at my 9.5-week mark! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, so if you're recovering, chin up! and good luck.
hi...I'm currently 3.5 weeks post-op. I'm 28 and I ruptured my achilles during a game of basketball on Feb 19. I had surgery on March 2 and was in a cast for 10 days. doc put me in a boot and crutches. after my first 3 days in a boot i took it upon myself to apply some weight. felt great. went to doc March 26 and doc said it was healing really well. havent had any swelling or pain. i'll probably be in 2 shoes in 2 weeks (5.5 weeks post-op). I've been really aggressive with my rehab but the doc said he was amazed how quickly i'm healing.
Hey 3/29 Anonymous,
Funny how the doctors are pleased when we ignore their plan and do so well. I was a worse patient than you, and was walking in my shoes at 3.5 weeks. Have you started working on calf strength yet?
Good luck,
Doug
I have almost 12 weeks after surgery but I am still in a right boot. Is anybody heard about magnetic stuff around the foot to impove recovery time?
I am going to check into that magnetic stuff as I have heard a few people speak of it.
I am a 30 yr female, active all my life..tore mine 3 weeks ago playing bball. I am now 17 days post surgery and just in waiting mode. I go in in 4 days and switch from this splint to the Air Walker Boot. I think its still another 3 weeks non-weight bearing after I get into the boot!
I am trying to remain optimistic...unfortunately this is very difficult especially when you are a single person in the city! Thankfully friends and some family have come to my aid. I am concerned about driving with the left foot as my right foot is the injured one. I tried it around the parking lot and it felt quite uncomfortable...I might try it again...
Please check out my blog as well...
http://achillesgurl.blogspot.com/
achillesgurl
What kind of magnetic stuff are you going to use?
What did you hear about?
I am four weeks post-op. ruptured mine playing in a basketball tournament. I love lifting weights, anyone else lift weights and if so how long after surgery did you return to the gym??
I ruptured mine on 2/24. Surgery was 3/1. I was in a partial cast for 10 days, then into the boot and starting PT the next day. After 5 weeks, I started putting weight on it. At 6.5 weeks, I was off crutches, and today, at 8.5 weeks, am out of the boot and in my shoes with a heel cup. I'll be limping for a while, but every day gets better.
I'm surprised at all the different lengths of recovering.
I ruptured my achilles (full rupture) on December 1st 2009 and had it surgically repaired a week later.
A week after that I was back in hospital due to breathing difficulties and found that I had a DVT and a Pulminory embolism.
I was in a cast for 6 weeks and then went into a cam boot for what was meant to be 9 weeks but an act of stupidity (and fear of big flying bugs!) saw me rerupture after 2.5 weeks (boot was off).
Needless to say I was devastated and going into surgery while on blood thinning medication presented a whole raft of other problems!
Again I had a cast for around 6 weeks and was then given another adjustable achilles boot. I was meant to return fortnightly to have this adjusted to a gradually flatter angle. Within about 10 days the rubber at the bottom started to come loose so I switched to my old cam boot.
I made the decision not to go back to the hospital the following fortnight as I knew my surgeon would not be available and the registrars would not do anything and I would lose half a day at work. Then following fortnight would have been today but again I moved the appointment.
I have come to the conclusion that I am being conservative instructions not necessarily suited to my age, fitness level etc. I have to travel a minimum of 3km on foot each day to get from home to bus stops to work.
Basically I am 10 weeks past my 2nd repair, I walk around in my 1br apartment barefoot or in 2 shoes and walk around work in the boot (going to the printer, getting coffee etc), whereas longer haul travel I still walk with my forearm crutches. This week I decided to see if I could swim and found I was able to do this successfully with no side effects. I also walked home from work (~5km) which I managed but found the next day the tendon was quite tight so maybe it was overkill!
My plan is to return to see my surgeon in 2 weeks time, show my progress and either get permission to ditch the boot and keep the crutches or ditch the crutches and keep the boot... I have been on crutches for over 5 months now!
Given that I am being seen at a public hospital (which is good because it costs me nothing) I am not really given much individual attention or assessment...more perfunctory checks. I am thinking of seeing a physio in the meantime for some treatment and perhaps some personalised advice...
The accelerated rate of treatment I am reading on here astounds me...I can appreciate differences in recovery but the vast range is staggering!
Given I am not happy with the conservative advice I have been given I am working on a "listen to your body" theory... push a bit and see what happens - if it doesn't hurt then surely it's ok and if it does then maybe you've pushed to much for now but at least you know!
Thanks for letting me share my story!
Im in week 9 after a full left achilles tear while playing soccer. I am already 4 weeks without the boot and have already started light lifting(squats and calf raises) and riding a bikes (both stationary and standard). My doctor was very resistant to pushing for quick return to activity at first but is now very impressed with the recovery progress. Has anyone else been so agressive and experienced problems down the line? I am 29 and in very good shape overall. Prior to the injury i was running about 30 miles a week and assume that overall conditioning has contributed to fast recovery. At no point in the process did i stop lifting weights with upper body, despite initial discomfort of lifting with the cast.
Currently at 10 weeks. Have been 2 weeks without the pot. No boot. Felt very vunerable when pot first removed. Trying to increase activity on bad leg. Started driving again which feels like a good exercise gently flexing the right foot to accelerate and brake.
Have had major set back with suspected DVT. However since hopital tests DVT has been ruled out. Not sure what is wrong but right foot (bad foot) and leg goes purple and swollen when foot is down. When elevated foot returns to normal colour. Have had scans ultrasound and MRI and heart tests Docs can find no thrombosis and the old ticker is working fine. Just wondering if anyone else has had similar.
interesting that it took so long for you to begin putting that amount of weight at the 10 week stage. I got my boot at week 4 and I got rid of my crutches by week 5. Yesterday I went out for a 4 kilometer walk (began feeling pain by the end of the walk) and I'm currently at week 7. But I guess that's the difference between surgery and non-surgery, as is your case.
And also, I've been driving with my left as mentioned by others. Just to work, mainly. My wife drives me with all three kids in the van. But yeah, I got the hang of it by about the third drive out. It's as natural as right foot pedaling.
Hii! So I feel like everyones rupture healing is going faster than I am. I am 12 week post op and I am still in my walking cast. I have been walking for about 3 weeks now (hated those dang crutchies). I have my next appointment Monday and I dearly hope I get back into that moon boot, but could possibly get another cast change instead.
Anyone else have such a long dragging process? If so, how long do I stay in this moon boot??
I had my Achilles removed from the bone and re-attached with anchors.
10 days after op I was out of my half cast and into a boot with heel raises. I'm currently allowed to perform foot raises and put about 30kgs of weight onto it.
According to the surgeon, I should be able to FWB with boot in 3 weeks.
Can't wait to get rid of these crutches!
I am 10 weeks post op. Released from C.A.M walker today. Added heel lift I can wear with tennis shoes.
Worst injury ever! Surgery, 5 casts, walker, rehab 3x's a week, relearning to walk.
Have used wheelchair, rolling walker, etc. Mostly bedridden to elevate heel for first several weeks.
Did it playing tennis. Pushed forward on a routine shot. Then, BANG! Sounded like a gun went off and I felt a twang. Thank God it went numb! Surgery next day....unbelievable pain.
When's this going to end? Wound sight won't completely close on one spot. Can't swim, bathe, go to beach, get sweat near it. I could go on.
I am 15 weeks post injury/surgery. I was in a cast for 4 weeks. When that came off most of the staples were removed. I was the non-weightbearing for 2 more weeks. I used a walker since my left side is weak from a stroke I had 47 years ago. I am 52. I am walking slowly and going down steps is very difficult. My problem is pain around my medial malleolus- and going down steps has exasperated the situation. Anyone else have this pain?
I'm on week 6 after left Achilles rupture. 2 weeks in cast, 4 weeks in boot (only 2 weeks on crutches then starting walking). Doctor cleared me to walk without boot in the house. The scar is healing nicely. Starting PT next week for 4 weeks. Doctor said I can ditch the boot for good at week 10.
I am a college track runner...and i rupture my achilles May 5, 2010. I am now 10 months past my surgery date. I am able to run and sprint at speeds that I was able to when I was 100% healed. My only problem is my flexibility. How can I get my Achilles and cafe more flexible?
I am 15 weeks post-op. Ruptured my left achilles at start of a sprint. I was in a soft cast for 2 weeks, hard cast for 2 weeks then got the walking boot and cleard to start PT at that 4 week mark. It was scary the first time I tried the stationary bike and elliptical since I didn't have the strength or flexibility just one month after surgery. Calf size went downhill as well. Now, my issue is going downstairs and walking without a limp since my achilles doesn't have the flexibility/strength to bend that way. For those that have been through this, when were you able to go downstairs normally? Run? Thanks! Fidel
bfee2002@yahoo.com
I am almost 3 weeks Post Op...Two weeks of a hard cast finally removed...After the first day or two my foot is back to 90 degrees...hoping my next visit at the end of March, I will be able to start walking/PT...I had a question, was wondering if anyone else still had a tingly (almost asleep feeling) in your foot (moreso in the toes) still? and will that eventually go away with the recovery? Thanks in advance!
eugenetunaya@gmail.com
Hi there. I completely ruptured my left Achilles tendon on 3/10/11, had outpatient surgery on 3/14/11, and spent one week with the heavy Jones dressing on my leg. This past Monday, I was converted to a fiberglass cast, and was told by my orthopedic surgeon that he'd like to start me on the cam walker boot (with crutches for 'balance') next Monday when he takes the cast off. So far, everything feels fine; I'm casted at a 90 degree angle, no loss of feeling in my foot, just struggling with the crutches quite a bit.
Is this an aggressive schedule? Should I be concerned? Right now, I'm driving myself to work and other than a few scrapes here and there, and the fact that I move slow, I'm feeling okay. But compared to a lot of stories here, this feels really quick.
Thanks in advance.
Hi guys and girls John from the Uk
Im currently at week 7 post op after a rupture and in the aircast boot 40% weight bearing whatever that means!!
Been told to ditch the crutches this weekend at 8 weeks and walk in the boot for another 3.
So nervous about putting my leg fully down and was wondering how you all did it. ie. small steps at small intervals or just start walking as normal.
Chin up everyone its a nightmare but we all wake up from them eventually!!
John
Complete achilles rupture playing volleyball, loud pop no pain at all, just felt numb like when you hit your "funny-bone". 2 weeks in hard cast, then doctor let me go to walking boot with no weight restriction as long as I was in the boot. Took me weeks 3 and 4 on crutches to build up the *courage* to try putting all my weight on the foot. Some of the other posts mentioned a pins-and-needles feeling when you first put weight on the foot, but it went away for me within a couple minutes of standing, and after a week or so disappeared. Also, like some of the posts, I am able to hobble around without the boot in my house, like to get into the shower or whatnot. Just starting week 7 now and going back for a check-up and hopefully the ok to start physio! Great blog.
I'm 6 weeks post-op and doc has allowed me to start walking gingerly with cam walker boot and crutches. He also said I could start doing calf exercise (toe lifts leaning against wall) but I can't get myself to try it yet. Seems risky. How does one get the courage to do the toe lifts for the first time?
(I'm April 25 Anom.)
I get a kick out of how different each doctors recommendations are. May 4 Anom., I haven't tried toe lifts yet...my therapist told me after 6 weeks you can loose up to 80% of the calves strength so i'm not sure i could do it at all. If it starts to hurt, chances are thats not good so stop immediately.
To May 5 Anon...
Calf above my AT repair is no longer there. I've lost at least 80% of it. My quad is way down too though I've been doing exercises with it. And I'm very thin to begin with. Right leg looks like a toothpick.
Alot of ppl on here talk about 20% or 50% weight bearing. How does one know the %? I assume it's just a feel thing. I try to put a little more weight on the bad leg each day. So far so good I guess.
May 6 Anon.,
My calf is still there, and actually at this point looks bigger than the right due to some slight swelling. My cast was off at 2 weeks, and I had the removable walker boot at that point with full weight bearing while in the boot. I'm 6'-4", 210lb, 28 yr old male, so i'm in the slender category as well. Everyones body handles this differently. Like I said before if the exercise hurts its probably not a good sign, so slow down a bit. The only weird sensation i'll warn ya about haha that I have experience is that if the tendon repair starts to stick with the skin repair, you may feel pulling on the skin when you move your foot, and eventually it will separate with a disturbing ripping feeling (just to give ya a heads up). Has your doctor recommended you visit a physio therapist? They are professionals at controlled recovery and rehabilitation such as you require, and will do it in such a way that you do not injure yourself.
To May 6 4:30pm Anon.,
Doc wanted to wait on PT because he said my calf was so weak. Thought that was strange since I can't strengthen it much while in the boot. But I am putting more pressure on it each day so that's encouraging. Entire leg is definitely stronger than earlier in the week so no complaints. I'd rather take it a little slow and have no setbacks.
Did anyone experience swelling as they began to bear weight in the boot? The first 3-4 days of WB were easy after some initial swelling so I started to increase it. Last couple of days I've been quite swollen. AT is intact so not really worried. I assume this is normal. I'm only 6.5 weeks past surgery.
Im in the middle of week 9 after a complete rupture playing football... i was in a hard cast for 6 weeks, and nothing after that... as i felt pretty good in the middle of week 7, i attempted to cruise around without any assistance...and re-tore partially. In the middle of week 9, i feel great again with the assistance of a brace made by a prostesis (sp*) specialist. I plan to walk 100% within the next 3 weeks. Im a 24YO Male police officer, and plan to be back to work FD really soon.. good luck to all of you in, what i am certain is the worst injury ever!
Hey everyone, so I've been reading the past few weeks comments and this is what I have to say...
Everyone has a different athletic level and our bodies will cope with it certain ways, some better than others, but don't get discouraged...most important thing is being cautious with what you're doing.
I'm am now 10-11 weeks in, and I'm walking without a problem. To answer some questions I saw, your achilles will swell in the boot as you start walking because the of the blood flow needed as you're trying to start moving again, so thats normal, no worries [: Don't overdo anything, take a break when you need, stay off your foot, and if swelling continues, watch some tv and elevate your foot for a little. My doctor said my recovery is faster than normal and I believe thats just because of my active lifestyle before the injury and my body is treating is like it normally would. I don't advise this, but I took recovery into my own hands...I've researched and researched and have been "speeding" things up but being very cautious as well.
Just a few side notes, when I got the ok to walk in my boot, I was already driving, but driving with my leg rather than my foot moving back and forth, still keeping it somewhat stabilized.
I'm am currently walking with no problems, and range of motion and flexibility is looking pretty good, almost to normal, at least what it seems. I can feel my calf flexing more as I walk and being used, so my muscle is starting to rebuild.
I'm 24, 5'0, 125-130 pounds, tore my achilles doing cheerleading/gymnastics (tumbling aspect) and it sounds like a lot for my height, but I'm more on the muscular side. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions [: I would love to help anyone out.
Eugene
I ruptured mine on the 13th of April got it operated on the next day and exactly 5 weeks after(today) I was walking on both legs with no support, only short steps. But full weight bearing.
Things that have helped me imo
Being young-ish 24
weight bearing early-ruined my 2nd cast that I got after 12 days, totally crushed at the bottom, just standing not walking.
Good diet
Lots of supplements
-cissus (super-rx is supposed to be best) 6 a day to start with for first 20 days, then 4 a day.
-msm glucosamine- 2 in the morning, 2 with evening meal
-fish oils/omega 3 - 8 a day
-Vitamin C-mega dose it, plenty of oranges/tomatoes and a vitamin C tablet.
If anything I wanted to go quicker with my recovery, but I forgot to ask for physio at my 4 week appointment.
I should probably start my own blog since I've took a very supplement dominant approach to my healing. There is a more extreme way to quicken up healing, but I most likely couldn't afford it or get a source I truly trust. Basically injecting HGH and IGF, helps healing 300%.
Since I've kinda posted anonymous, I'll live my email addy if anyone wants to ask me questions about supplements. I'm the person above that listed the supplements.
mikewats86@gmail.com
It’s very much important to take care of our body. For this we should do exercise and yoga on a daily basis to keep us fit and fine. As we all know that a healthy body makes a wealth full person.
Physical Therapy Supplies
I am 9 weeks post op from complete left ATR. 6 weeks in cast non weight-bearing and past 3 weeks in Aircast boot. Steerable scooter was a God-send while NWB but I will also still use for longer distances, such as shopping at Walmart and whatnot.
Walking has become much easier over the past week. Started off using crutches the first day out of the cast in the boot. Advanced to a single crutch after that and about a week later to a narrow based quad cane. Now I use a single cane mostly for psychological support but also helps get down my rhythm walking and ensures that I don't get going too fast. Still very careful with stairs (up with the good, down with the bad).
Circulation (erythema) and mild swelling still an issue but I realize that is because of not firing the calf muscles which I try to do a few times a day open chain technique (not using the floor) and stretch out my toes and plantar fascia. I use an anti-scar cream on the incision twice daily and hand held Homemedics vibrator to help prevent scar tissue formation. Still elevate the leg in bed. Massage also helps.
One big issue has been adapting to walking with a leg length discrepancy. I wear a Merrell's hiking shoe with an insert but that barely makes up the difference. It seems to alter my gait to the point that the good leg takes more load and even some aggravation of low back pain due to the altered mechanics. I suppose a cowboy boot might help better but that's not me. In the meantime, Advil helps with occasional aches and pains.
Probably no P.T. yet at least for another four weeks.
Things seem to overall be improving slowly but surely and am grateful that I have not had any setbacks (although I did get a DVT/PE but that's another story).
Hi all! I'm 8,5 weeks post-op. Doc removed cast after 3,5 weeks and put me in Aircast walker. After 5 weeks I was allowed to walk without crunches cause my ankle was able to do 90%. After 6 weeks I was able to walk without walker - slowly and not to much in the begining. For longer walks - still using walker. I hope that next week doc will tell me that I can stop using it all togetger. That would be 9 weeks.
Hi guys (and girls) I am now 6 weeks post op after a complete right ATR. Still in a fibreglass cast but been walking without crutched or any pain for the last week or so. Cast due to come off in 2 weeks. I have not seen any mention of the use of an ankle brace in order to aid walking after a cast or boot? I will probably get one once the cast is off (seems to be the way its done in South Africa where boots are seldomly used). Can't wait to get out of the cast...
I am exactly 8 weeks post-surgery. From the comments, it sounds like my surgeon has me on the conservative schedule (maybe it's a Canadian thing!).
I've been in an air cast (boot) for the last 4 weeks, and off crutches FWB (but in boot with a small heel wedge) for the last week. First couple days I walked very slowly and awkwardly, but by now getting a better rythym (but still limping).
No PT, just told to do ankle rotations, which I've been doing for a week. Next appt is in two weeks (10 week post-op), hoping I can start PT to start getting the strength back in my calf etc.
Swelling/edema when I get home in the evening and take off my boot and sock. Any suggestions, besides elevating, to reduce this? Don't want to try any PT until next appt, but wondering if there's something I can do.
Thanks!
Steve
Also, completely tore it playing squash. Had open surgical repair 3 days later. I'm 35 and active, 5'11" and 185lbs.
complete left ATR jumping Double dutch. had surgery 1/17/12. 55yr active girl. True everyone's body and apparently also their doctor treats differently. In fiberglass splint for first two weeks (wrong boot came). Five weeks post op and still in NWB range of motion boot, however at 15% dorsi flexion, should be able to go to FWB in about two weeks maybe three weeks. Thank God for knee walkers. Beats the hell out of crutches and is alot of fun to boot. Hope to start PT soon, but I have been rotating my ankle and flexing and pointing toes since surgery (never to the point of pain), and it has helped alot. I do have some tightening of the skin which can be pretty painful, but all in all, it has not been so bad. Blogs like this are super helpful. Best to stay active if possible, meditation helps me to keep strong mentally and keep my spirits up. Hope to start PT soon, my calf is like jelly. Ruptured tendon two months before surgery performed (misdiagnosed by dingbat ER doctor), so have to deal with 4 months of muscle athrophy. Curretnly, doing Turbo Jam in a chair, feel good. Skin around the stitches is really dark. Any suggestions or best lightening cream is appreciated.
Hello there, I ruptured my right achillies on 1/28/12. I had outpatient surgery on 2/6/12 with no problems, was in a splint for 3 days, and a cast for 7 days. Dr told me he was going to put me on a aggressive plan and put me in a bledsoe boot 10 days post op with orders for PT. PT consist of mainly stretching foot movement and core work with no problems, achillies does get sore after doing towel grabs with foot. Most of the surgical area has healed with the exception of the lower part of the ankle. DR said his plan was to get me running at 4 months and back to myself in 6 months, so I do find it interesting how many of the bloggers are on different recovery programs, I'm a 33 year old male 6'2 250
Hi,
Thanks for this blog. Its very informative.
My name is Steve. I'm 39. I ruptured my right tendon on Mar 17th 2012. Had the surgery on Apr 5th 2012. It was a complete rupture based on the MRI.
I had a visit with my surgeon on Apr 13th 2012. He put a walking hard cast. Dr told me I'm allowed to put weight but I would need to use the crutches to walk.
Its not been quite 2 weeks yet, but I'm able to stand / walk without the crutches. I can even climb the stairs up and down.
I asked my Dr if it is OK not to use the crutches. He didn't want me to do that.
I'm bit struggling to figure out what I should "NOT" be doing to hurt my leg. I thought I could begin to do normal activities if my leg allowed me to do so.
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