Comments on Achilles Tendon Rupture Blog: The Long Road to Walking Again: Rehabilitation Pro...

Had surgery for partial (2/3) rupture 1/31/12. Th...

2012-02-05T12:52:19.017-05:00

Had surgery for partial (2/3) rupture 1/31/12. The comments posted were both reassuring and somewhat frightening.

I had a block so no pain at all was felt fort 1 1/2 days, then only minor aches - pain control was terrific. Unfortunately, after 4 days, I lost balance and caught myself on my "bad foot" - hurt like hell, but then passed. Now I'm thinking I reinsured myself??? Scary - I know I have a few months ahead of frustration and bordom - since it's my right foot, no driving.

Anyone have any survival thoughts?
I do not want to go through this again. I have my post op visit on 2/14-is there anything other than the obvious I should ask?

All comments appreciated!

I am 20 years old. Kickedmy leg thru a window glas...

2012-01-22T10:16:07.283-05:00

I am 20 years old. Kickedmy leg thru a window glass wentvthru my leg severed my Achilles, tibialis nerve, and a couple other tendons. I was rushed to er. Surgury the next day. 5 weeks later MRI done two tendons left severed my leg trying to heal that way. At 6 weeks had second surgery with foot specialist a much better doc. Now I am at 3 months just started working again walking painfully in the boot and doing physical therapy
When can i walllk in my own two shoes again.. blah

On Friday Oct. 14, 2011, I tore my Achilles while ...

2011-11-15T13:10:41.680-05:00

On Friday Oct. 14, 2011, I tore my Achilles while sparring at my martial arts school. The kick was not all that impressive or difficult. I guess that it was just time for the tendon to tear. At 57, I was not surprized. I immediately went to the e.r. to get it in a splint. Called my doctor on Monday. Ten days later I found myself in surgery. The injury was not your classic tear. the tendon tore off at the heal bone.

I torn my Achilles tendon on July 6th playing socc...

2011-10-24T22:42:27.131-04:00

I torn my Achilles tendon on July 6th playing soccer. Had surgery few day later, had the cast for 2 weeks and the recovery was going great, went to work the next day; I was getting too confident and stupid. 1 month into the surgery disaster happen: slipped and re-torn the tendon; 2nd surgery was way more painful, and the doctor had me in the cast for 6 weeks. i recently started my Physical therapy and getting a bit more confident yet I'm not sure I'll 100% fit for sports again. I am in very good shape and played professional soccer so I did not see this coming so my advise to all of you, make sure you wear that boot at all times before the doctor tells you to ditch it.

I am 50 and have not been regularly active in spor...

2011-08-29T20:21:47.076-04:00

I am 50 and have not been regularly active in sports for 15 years but I take light exercise (cycling, golf) and I am reasonably fit. Nevertheless I have some atrophy of the tendon associated with my age, weight and lifestyle.
Like many bloggers I came to this site only after completely rupturing my left Achilles tendon six weeks ago in Germany whilst running. I flew back to the UK on crutches rather than have an op in Dusseldorf. Flying was not a good idea given the increased risk of DVT and upon my return I presented myself to the local A&E Dept. After being told by an NHS doctor they would put me in plaster for 6-8 weeks to ‘see how it went’ I pointed out that the German doctor had indicated an immediate operation was required. I had private healthcare insurance and was referred within minutes and operated on two weeks later. The delay was consequential on some bad swelling and blood clots (Maybe the flight?) but a week of self-injected Clexane dispersed the clots and bruising.
The op went well with an overnight stay (24 hours total) and I spent two weeks in a back slab cast to allow for swelling. I then spent two weeks in a lightweight GRP cast which I found very unforgiving and tight if the leg was down for any length of time. Last Friday I took delivery of my Donjoy MC Walker Ortho-boot and it has been fantastic. I am not yet walking on the foot but it is fully weight bearing at about 30 degrees Plantarflexion. I feel ready for some adjustment but the best advice I can give anyone on this site is listen to your consultant or surgeon. Mine has been on the money about everything so far and so I will wait a couple of weeks as he instructed. Every injury is different so take the advice of the professionals and don’t get caught up in trying to match someone else’s recovery time frame.

i ruptured my Achilles tendon two weeks ago on the...

2011-07-24T23:28:45.594-04:00

i ruptured my Achilles tendon two weeks ago on the 9th of July 2011. It hurt like hell. The doctors didn't believe it was a rupture at first because I am only 14 years old and I was incredibly active at the time. On wednesday i was gifted with a full leg walking cast and my life has been easier, but i know its going to be a long recovery and this next year is going to be the hardest.

27, Male. I was playing basketball on Friday, May...

2011-06-03T04:15:16.129-04:00

27, Male. I was playing basketball on Friday, May 13th, 2011 and I went up for a rebound and it felt like someone kicked me as hard as they could in the back of my right ankle. I completely ruptured my right akilles tendon. An easy test to see if you completely ruptured it is to lay on your stomach with your legs hanging off of your bed and then have someone squeeze your calf muscle on your good leg and watch how your foot reacts, then squeeze your calf muscle on your injured leg to compare how your foot reacts, or in my case, doesn't react. When the injury occurred my leg went numb from my knee down. This numbness stuck around for about 20 minutes then I experienced extreme pain for about 30 minutes. I had to catch a flight in an hour so I borrowed my neighbor's walking boot and hopped on the plane. I was able to walk with the boot with minimal pain all weekend. I had surgery exactly two weeks after the surgery. My surgeon told me that its best to have surgery within two weeks in order to have a successful surgery. I was knocked out with the "MJ juice" according to the nurse. MJ = Michael Jackson. I also had the tube shoved down my throat with the nitrous and other gases. After the surgery I had a sore throat, was hungry, thirsty, and in pain. After pain killers, food, and water I was pretty good. The sore throat remained throughout the day and I stayed pretty drugged out throughout the weekend on Percocet. My leg was in a splint with a hard portion across the back of my leg and on the bottom of my foot with a bandage wrapped around the rest of my leg. After 4 days of being cloudy on Percocet I decided to wean myself off of it. Percocet will constipate you and make you feel a little slower than usual. This whole time I was keeping my leg elevated and not putting any weight on the injured leg. I even kept my leg elevated while I slept. Today, 6 days after the surgery, I asked my surgeon if I could get this splint replaced because the only pain that I was feeling was a result of the splint. I went in and now I have the black boot that is super heavy with all the velcro straps. The incision was longer than I thought it was going to be but my swelling was very minimal. I'm supposed to get my stitches out on Wednesday, which will be 12 days after the surgery. We'll see what happens next. Good luck to you, I feel your pain. Be well. I'll be back with updates. I'll be happy if I can limp around without crutches soon and drive.

Hi All, I am new to this blog. In November 2009 ...

2011-05-23T15:28:11.803-04:00

Hi All,

I am new to this blog. In November 2009 I ruptured my right achilles tendon playing soccer, at the age of 28. It took me 7 months to completely recover. Well, it happened again (I am 30 now), but this time the other leg in April 2011. Being that I have gone through this once I am not as anxious as I was the first time around with the recovery process. It's just a matter of having a patience, and patience is something that none of us have when it comes to achilles rupture and wanting to recover ASAP. It's been 5 weeks post-op and I can't want to start walking in the boot without the aide of crutches. For those of you that are new to ATR make sure you do your best to stay is shape: do your exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, leg-lifts, ADLs, etc.), be aware of your intake (cut back on eating since you're not burning as much calories), find a distraction (reading books, studying something that interests you), maintain a positive attitude, be sure to thank the friends and family members that are always there for you, and perhaps most important don't drown yourself in self-pity. Good luck everyone!

Ladyjewels thank you so much for responding! Only ...

2011-05-05T19:44:52.103-04:00

Ladyjewels thank you so much for responding! Only people who have been through something like this understand how difficult this is. I'm getting a little better mentally and physically. Hang in there everyone and keep your faith in the man upstairs.

David in Oklahoma, I ruptured my tendon 2 yrs ago ...

2011-05-03T19:50:27.864-04:00

David in Oklahoma, I ruptured my tendon 2 yrs ago this past Feb. I too have a phobia of casts and only used boot. My Doctor only agreed to allow this if I did EXACTLY as he instructed and I did. I am just fine after all this time, and glad I opted not to get the cast. No regrets!
Ladyjewels

People, I have had my left and right Achilles te...

2011-05-02T15:46:15.437-04:00

People,

I have had my left and right Achilles tendent ruptured. I know everyone heals different and different speeds. All will be good!
God made us to recover after this!
Just have patients and move at your own pace. I can do everything I use to do. I was 41yrs old when I did my left, and 47yrs old on my right. I am feeling you!LOL My right one is still in cast. I ride mountain bikes and run a lot.
The left on been hurting a small bit because I am just useing that one to walk with cruches. But, all will be fine. I said I can walk , But not a good speller so you will have to work with that and grammer.

All have a good one.

Christ's love Brian

I just recently had surgery on 4/19/11. I tore my...

2011-04-30T22:11:14.563-04:00

I just recently had surgery on 4/19/11. I tore my right one playing flag football. I am 37 and have had other injuries before, but nothing compares to this.

After surgery, my doctor put me in a splint for 8 days, and then brought me in to put a cast on. I hate casts! I think I have a mental issue with not being able to itch my leg, etc...(I am just a nut job I guess...lol) I bought a walking boot and brought it in to my doctor to put on instead of a cast. I have read many people used a cast straight after surgery and did fine. My doctor seems conservative and tells me that I risk the strength of the repair by wearing a boot instead of a cast.

Can anyone tell me what they know about this....

Great blog. Misery indeed loves (and learns from)...

2011-04-26T22:04:11.081-04:00

Great blog. Misery indeed loves (and learns from) company. I tore my AT four weeks ago. At 59 and father/hitting partner of a D1 tennis player now moved on, I was hitting at full speed with a tour player and my AT ruptured without any warning in the 59th minute of a 60-minute session. (I know, what was I thinking?) It was a youtube classic. Sharp blow, lack crack, I turned to yell at whoever hit me, there was no one there, and I fell down. I'm in good shape, workout every day (and stretch), so this was a real surprise. I had surgery by a super-competent sports surgeon, have been in a cast for month, and am now in "walking boot". So far so good. I start PT next week and will walk without crutches in 3 weeks. Zero pain now (we'll see about rehab), except for random muscle cramping and so forth. My lower leg muscle in the injured side has seemed to completely disappear so regaining that promises to be entertaining. Doctor says I can go back to competitive tennis in 9-12 months and urged me to do so. I am not sure I want to 1) commit the time (more regular play and a LOT more warmup) necessary to minimize the chances of this happening again or 2) even run the risk given the pain it has been for me, my family, and friends. Like many of the posters I love games that require sudden, explosive movements and never thought that would be in jeopardy. Good luck to everyone currently going through this or getting back to their activities.

I'm so grateful to have stumbled on this blog....

2011-04-19T18:00:14.515-04:00

I'm so grateful to have stumbled on this blog. I don't know why I waited so long to research this because I feel so much better having read these stories. Fifteen years after being a high school cheerleader I decided to see if I could still do a backhandspring. I was able to, and soon progressed to a roundoff backhandspring. After a month and a half of practicing, I tore my right AT at an assembly in front of the entire student body where I teach! I went to the ER on 4/1/11 (April Fool's Day) and my ortho appt on 4/5 confirmed it was fully torn and that I needed surgery the next day. I am 2 weeks post-op and am healing well but hating being so dependent on friends and family! I was told 4-6 weeks in a hard cast and then another 4-6 in a soft boot with PT. I can't wait to drive and do things for myself again! Thank you all for sharing your stories!

I ruptured my left achilles on february 2nd, 2011 ...

2011-03-23T10:32:56.530-04:00

I ruptured my left achilles on february 2nd, 2011 playing basketball. I was placed in a soft cast until my surgery on feb 9th. Post op I was placed in a large cast that allowed for swelling. i was recasted two weeks post op with a smaller cast that came about an inch below my knee. I was told by my surgeon that i will be in a cast for a total 12 weeks. It has been six weeks now, my pain and swelling are minimal I have begun to put weight on my left leg. It has not given me much pain so when I go for my third cast this friday I plan to ask for the space boot instead and to begain my rehabilitation.

I'm new to this site. I've had my injury ...

2011-03-17T02:32:38.231-04:00

I'm new to this site. I've had my injury for 6 months and I'm still limping and sore. When I exercise and do the stationary bike, it feels looser and better. Unfortunately, I have a standing job, and I stand for long periods of time, from 2-7 hours on my feet. My leg swells alot after work and is very sore. Is it okay to stand for long periods of time and not get further injured? Is exercising regularly and standing at a full-time job okay? If standing for long periods of time is not okay, I can try to find another with no standing. I'm so frustrated now and it seems to get better so slowly. I also have a big lump of scar tissue above my heel and i fear I took too conservative of an approach to my healing. I'm so worried now and I'm going to Japan next month. Can somebody please help me?

Hi, I ruptured my left AT on Saturday 1/15/2011. I...

2011-01-25T14:45:17.146-05:00

Hi, I ruptured my left AT on Saturday 1/15/2011. I knew what I had done immediately bc I had done in the right one about 6 years ago. There were no warning signs leading up to this, have never had any other tendon problems. I'm 39 years old and keep in good shape, not overweight and play soccer year round 1,2 or 3 times per week. I had already warmed up and played for about 10 minutes, went to step forward and boom, I was on the ground!

I have no health insurance bc I'm unemployed at the moment, but luckily my gf has some contacts from work and was able to talk to a doctor for me (a friend of a co-worker). He agreed to do the surgery for $3,000, and got the hospital for $600 and the anesthesiologist for $650, for a grand total of $4,250. These are NJ prices btw. I felt very unlucky to have my second AT tear, but got so lucky on the doctor bill that I can't complain too much. I think the last one, through insurance, cost $20-25k.

Tried to learn from my first surgery, so I didn't move my foot after the injury, made a brace to hold my foot at the right angle out of a pizza box and some painters tape. There was no real pain, just shock, and some swelling. I kept the foot elevated 24/7. I saw the Doctor on tuesday and had the operation on Wednesday. They gave me a nerve block from the knee down, and I felt nothing until the next day. I haven't needed any pain medication, the only time it hurts is when I stand up to use the bathroom. Still keep the leg in the air pretty much 24/7 to avoid swelling as much as possible. I'm in a soft cast and I return to the doctor on Friday, I assume to have the stitches/staples removed and be put in the special boot with heel wedges. I purchased the boot at an orthopaedists office for $200, only to find it online for $75!!

Last time I think it took about 6 months before I could play soccer again. I definitely wanted the surgery because since the operation on the other side that AT has been a LOT thicker than it was originally, and I have had no problems with it. I lost a very small range of motion on that side but was mis-diagnosed at the beginning and had to wait 3 weeks before I had the surgery so there was time for atrophy.

This is a bad injury, mostly because of the downtime. My experience may be different from others for some unknown reason but this injury and operation is not really painful for me, the pain will come when I start the rehab, LOL. I tore my ACL 1 year before my last AT surgery and that was a lot worse.

I fully ruptured my AT on the 8th of November 2010...

2010-11-11T01:04:41.444-05:00

I fully ruptured my AT on the 8th of November 2010. I'm 38 y.o. and have been active in sports all of my life. I was playing a league basketball game when I received the "invisible kick" to the calf. I knew right away that it was my AT. I drove home and went to a physio the next day and they confirmed my suspicions. They had me get an ultrasound just to be completely certain. I'm originally from the States and living in Australia. The most frustrating thing is trying to work my way through a health care system that is new to me, and hoping that I receive the proper treatment from a surgeon in the public health care system (private treatment would be quite costly). Seeing so many other people going through the process is very encouraging, but the vast differences in rehab procedures is definitely concerning me. At any rate, I expect to have surgery within the next 4-5 days and hope to have an aggressive rehab plan put in place. I tore my ACL in the same leg about 10 years ago, but fully expect this to be a substantially more difficult and frustrating endeavour. It is great to see all of the positive posts. The greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory. I can't wait to get started.

- Brant

Greeting everyone, I had just found this site last...

2010-11-08T17:28:26.462-05:00

Greeting everyone,
I had just found this site last night and read thru most of the posts here. I'm glad to have found this site for there are so many variations on the recovery approach recommended by doctors.
Here is my story: I ruptured my RAT playing basketball. My rupture experience is quite different from what I have read so far. I did not hear a pop or much pain when I pushed off with my right leg starting to run; instead I felt a rip as if a rope behind my angle tore apart a few strains at a time. No one was near me at the time and I had never heard that ripping sound from my angle before so I knew something is not right and sat down holding my angle. Other players thought I had rolled my angle, but I told them no -- "It is something else".
I reached down and felt my angle with my fingers and felt a gap -- "Oh no" I scream silently. The pain was minimal, rather I felt a slight cramp at my calf.
Went to minor injury clinic and was confirmed of an ATR with a "Thomson?" test.
ATR on 9-9-10 and had surgery on 9-14. The pain comes that night into the next morning. Vicodon did not help much. Switch to IB prophen and the pain subsides. I was in the half cast toe down for 9 days post-op. Had the cast removed and found out that my doctor did not use any stitches to close the incision; just skin tape.
I was in the boot and Dr.'s order NWB for 8 weeks post-op. She scheduled PT the following week, which was strange -- NWB+PT??
PT just massaged the AT and tested ROM and recommend ROM exercise at home. Did that for 3 weeks and start partial WB, on my own, at 4 1/2 weeks post-op. When to see the doctor at 6 weeks and she practically screamed at me for WB. "I told you NWB for 8 weeks!". Now she told me NWB for another 6 weeks. She said that she wanted the AT to heal better to avoid stretching and thinning the attachment junction. I don't feel much discomfort when I put weight on my ATR foot. Using both crutches is very inconvenience because I do not have the use of my hands. I still walk with 1 crutch, so partial WB. I'm on my 8 weeks now. But I notice that my calf would get very tight after a short walk. By the end of the day, it is bigger that my left calf. However, it gets smaller in the morning after I wake up. The area on the shin bone also swells up a little at the end of the day.
I believe my case is quite unique. I'm wonder if someone else has a similar case.
I will update on my progress after I see my doctor in 2 1/2 weeks.
Wishing you all a speedy recovery.

Ty -- San Jose, CA

Well I didn't rupture my achilles but I had bo...

2010-06-25T16:29:09.268-04:00

Well I didn't rupture my achilles but I had both achilles operated on due to bone spurs on both heels. The surgeon had to remove the tendons in order to remove the bone spurs. I had the operation on 6 May and I'm now on my 7th week. Took of the boots a week ago and trying to walk normal again. I started going to tghe gym last week to ride the bike. I am hoping I will be able to run in Sep but I'll see. Thanks for this blog and everyones comments, it helped readin all of this prior to the operation. Made me more nervous but at least it gave me an idea what to look forward to.

I was on crutches for 3 months..about 7 months unt...

2010-05-13T11:35:07.996-04:00

I was on crutches for 3 months..about 7 months until I was cleared by my doctor to do things with no restrictions..just becareful not to reinjuried it trying to do too much too soon..a good protein and nutritous diet will help recovery..GL

hi i rupturwed my achilles tendon march 26th chasi...

2010-05-13T04:02:38.960-04:00

hi i rupturwed my achilles tendon march 26th chasing a shoplifter & didnt have a clue just how serious it was until i went to hospital. I had open surgery 10 days later and ammnow in a walker boot. I have been told i wont be allowed to weight bear until i return to see my doc on june 7th. I am now worrying tho that i will still be in the walker boot when i go on holiday on july 10th. how long after you weight bear are you usually in the boot & how long do you have to use crutches??????????

hi i rupturwed my achilles tendon march 26th chasi...

2010-05-13T04:02:23.153-04:00

The greatest advice I can give is PATIENCE! Seek i...

2010-05-08T21:57:16.006-04:00

The greatest advice I can give is PATIENCE! Seek immediate attention, & elevation, elevation, elevation! It's hard and humbling to suffer from an ATR, I've never been a spectator, and am stubbornly independent normally but this has been a surprising opportunity to find out just what wonderful people I know. It's apparently common with ATRs but I got blood clots(DVT) so unfortunately surgery wasn't an option for me and the process has been less than straight forward. I am so nervous about doing anything to jeopardise my recovery, I definately am pro conservative, I have 2 young boys and am desparate to return to normal life as their mummy.

I did a full rupture, but did not want to admit it...

2010-04-25T16:14:23.182-04:00

I did a full rupture, but did not want to admit it, so I let it go for 8 weeks. Then did the Thompson test, and realized it really WAS a full rupture. Found a podiatrist who does surgery, saw him, 10 days later had the surgery. Had to cut off 3 inches of dead tendon from both sides. Pointed my foot completely straight down, to reconnect the remainder. He said it was the worst rupture he had ever worked on. They stitched it up, and because my foot was pointing straight down, he stitched up all the wrinkly skin that is the exterior of the achilles tendon. Thru a series of casts, I had my foot a different degree each cast, until I got to a 90 degree. Then went to the boot. All of this took 2 months. I have been out of the boot now for 4 weeks, and walking, or actually stepping, but I have a hole in the back of my leg, from the incision, which was stitched up in a bunch. That actually formed the hold during each cast being set at a different angle. Its closing slowly, but surely. I get very discouraged, because it seems like It will be forever before I can walk again, and not even think of this incident. Luckily I got the money spent on a season ski pass back. Im glad to know that I am not the only one that has ruptured the tendon, but I do find Im the only one that has waited 2 months before doing something about it. It only causes more trouble in the long run, so go ASAP and have it dealt with, it Never goes away on its own, and without surgery, you are prone to reinjure it again. Thanks for reading.