Comments on Achilles Tendon Rupture Blog: The CAM Walker or Boot

Achilles boots are typically wedged in the heel ca...

2012-02-14T21:40:51.821-05:00

Achilles boots are typically wedged in the heel causing a significant leg length discrepancy. If the boot is causing hip or back pain look into the Evenup device.

Achilles tendon repair on 12-21-11. It's now ...

2012-01-19T21:44:07.678-05:00

Achilles tendon repair on 12-21-11. It's now 1-19-11 and just got out of the cast and into a cam walker. Very, very painful! The doctor and physical therapist said recovery time would be another 2-4 months to get a shoe on and probably another 2 after that ...for a total of 6-7 months for "normal." I've heard of people who it took a year to get back to normal..hope that is not me!

Full tear playing basketball on right AT Nov 7. Su...

2011-11-30T10:24:45.710-05:00

Full tear playing basketball on right AT Nov 7. Surgery on Nov. 10. Dressing for one week, followed by cast for two weeks, followed by Aircast Robocop boot, going on day three of boot.

Was very tender at first but by day two I had no need for crutches whatsoever. Knee hurts more than anything else because of the weird uneven gate the boot forces you to adopt.

After 3 weeks in this boot I will have the heel inserts removed, then it's another 2-3 weeks in the boot, then followed by regular shoes and therapy.

All in all, we're looking at about 8 weeks from surgery all the way to wearing a regular shoe again and driving. Not bad.

Told that with therapy, sports can resume full blast at around the 5 or 6 month mark, in time for Spring.

I'm 40 with a wife and three kids and I had to use a knee scooter around the house to be useful, once the pain subsided around day 5 after surgery.

Luckily I'm self employed and I work mainly from my laptop, so working from home was never a problem.

Not being able to drive put a strain on my wife with all the kids activities, and we had to hire someone to pick kids up two days a week since my wife works.

Yes, it's a pain in the ass, but in the grand scheme this is a pretty light sentence. 2 months is nothing to cry over. Just keep your chin up and do as much as you can. It's humbling and will ultimately make you stronger and wiser, and will be over before you know it.

PS: Don't be a douche. Listen to your Dr. and be careful when you get the boot – you do NOT want to be among that 4% who re-rupture. Then we're talking a bit of life trauma. But even for those guys, that too will pass, and hey, it's not cancer or paralysis, so cheer up.

Get plenty of vitamin D and water, move around as much as possible SAFELY so you don't get depressed. Eat what you want and gain a few pounds, so what.

Had surgery on nov 10 and won't be in boot or ...

2011-11-20T15:44:29.698-05:00

Had surgery on nov 10 and won't be in boot or weight bearing until right about Christmas. Has anyone experienced a "panic" like feeling? I feel trapped and get to crying when I think about everyone having to do everything for me. Any thoughts?

HELLO EVERYONE:D i ruptured my achilles playing n...

2011-11-14T05:13:26.456-05:00

HELLO EVERYONE:D

i ruptured my achilles playing netball on September the 17th 2011. It was our grandfinal and in the fourth quarter i thought somone had jumped on my leg i couldnt walk properly. That night I did one of the silliest things someone could do. I went out clubbing to celebrate our granfindal win i was limping around and got drunk too. The next week i went to the doctor because my parents thought i was fine , but secretly i think they were just punishing me for going out that night. But seriously i thought i was fine to go out but i couldve only made it worse. Eventually went to the doctor they she said just to ice my foot, my leg was swollen and bruised, i got an x ray and nothing was wrong with my leg. 5.5 weeks later i got surgery . I am now 2 weeks post op and almost 8 weeks since my injury.

I am in a boot now and it hurts a bit when i walk , does anyone else feel the same thing. I am really scared to re-rupture my tendon, if i put to much weight on it too soon. The physio said i must get rid of my crutches asap its been one day since the boot and i still cant walk without it

I tripped on the stairs and fell head first - spli...

2011-11-11T07:35:13.340-05:00

I tripped on the stairs and fell head first - split my lip (boy lips can really bleed!) and my right leg flew back and smashed my achilles into the wooden stair post leaving a dent across the back of my ankle. Despite the fact that it hurt a lot I thought I would just bandage it up the next day and go to work. I have always had a weak ankle and have sprained it many times over the years and thought this was more of the same. This was 28th September. Still hurt 2 days later to went to see local doc who thought it was just bruised and gave me anti inflammatories.

Two weeks later - still hobbling around on it though would go and see physio who wanted me to have a scan.

Got the scan about a week later which shown a partial tear and chronic degeneration of the achilles so she said I needed to see a consultant.

Finally, 2 days ago I saw the consultant at the fracture clinic at local hospital (you can guess by now that I am from the UK and working with NHS timescales).

Was a bit shocked when he started talking about plastering it - I had driven myself there. Finally he decided to put it in an aircast with 4 wedges in it, which I need to keep on 24/7.

He wants me to have another scan before makes any further decisions - so that will be another wait!

Sadly I am on leave this week and just sitting here watching day time TV. Planning to go back to work on Monday with someone giving me a lift there and back but reading this blog not sure if this is a good idea?

Irritatingly when I was walking on a torn achilles for 6 weeks it was less painful and incapacitating than it is now with the Giant Grey Boot for Hell on!

Oh well ... happy, healthy Achilles to you all.

Hi, I ruptured my achilles tendon on the 8th Octo...

2011-11-08T23:01:49.777-05:00

Hi,

I ruptured my achilles tendon on the 8th October 2011. I was in a back slab for 2 weeks and now im in a harder cast for 3 weeks. They said its a partial tear. I'm keen to get back to work as I'm bored at home.
I've got my next appointment with the consultant tomorrow. Does anyone know if I will now be put in an aircast boot? I've had the non-surgical approach to treatment

Hi all I ruptured my right AT on October 7th, jump...

2011-11-03T16:01:02.613-04:00

Hi all
I ruptured my right AT on October 7th, jumping down from my deck (forgetting I am an out of shape 61 year old!). Went to the ER where I was diagnosed and put in a "splint" which was fibreglass up the back and tensor bandages elsewhere. No surgery - hooray! Two weeks later back to the ortho clinic where I was put in an "air cast" or ski boot as I like to call it. At first I had excrutiating pain on my ankle bone which I finally solved by placing 2 make-up sponges between the bone and the cast.
I find the cast heavy and awkward and it gave me some knee pain because it pulled my foot to a pronated position. Learning to cope with it however. The ortho tech told me I should take the boot off everyday and change my sock. HA! Not with the ankle pain I was having.
Thanks to all - misery does indeed love company.
Nancy

Cher, The procedure you're referring to are pl...

2011-10-30T03:18:10.418-04:00

Cher,
The procedure you're referring to are platelet rich plasma injections or PRP. It is supposed to help the healing response. I had it performed intraoperatively.

Also, it is NOT 7.28pm here, it's 00.33am.... ...

2011-10-20T19:39:46.965-04:00

Also, it is NOT 7.28pm here, it's 00.33am.... hence my lack of ability to check my spelling in the aforementioned post. For Halloween... I'm gonna dress up as an android and cover my boot in tin foil, it's going to be very attractive and it will be so cool, everyone will want a special boot.

You all seem to be American and post-op! I'm ...

2011-10-20T19:28:53.442-04:00

You all seem to be American and post-op!

I'm from the UK, I was kicked during the first netball match of the season, the blunt trauma was directly to my achilles tendon. I went to A&E and waited hours (obviously) to be seen, to then be told that they thought it was ruptured, but that they'd make me an appointment for a few days later for an ultrasound to confirm it. I burst into tears thinking they were sending me home in that amount of pain with no treatment whatsoever! They put me in a half-cast, plastered at the front and bandaged round the back, with my foot in a nice pointed ballerina style. I went back 3 days later for my ultrasound, only to be told that one of the people that did the ultrasounds was on annual leave, and the other was at a different hospital... So they re-plastered my leg, with a half-cast again, only this time the plaster was on the back and the bandage round the front, apparently it had be done incorrectly the first time.. (way to inspire confidence in the NHS!). Eventually I had my ultrasound which confirmed my tendon had ruptured right uo the middle, I had a cast for 2 and a half weeks in total, and then I was assured that the recovery time was no different, if not shorter with no surgery (and I chose not to have surgery). I then moved on the CAM boot, as you refer to it as. Mine is a lovely shade of grey, but incredibly supportive, with 3 rock solid wedges that are different in size, created a cascading effect to position my foot into a point and slowly move it back into a normal position. Every two weeks I take a wedge out, I've just had my first one out. I'm now walking with full weight bearing and the pain has gone now that I'm using my leg again. My muscle has turned to squishy stuff but my arm muscles and pretty beasty! I had to relocate so I could start attending university again (I commute normally), I'm third year law and it's pretty important. I don't use my crutches around uni, but sadly my boot makes me walk with my legs slightly apart and it kinda looks like I've permanently had an accident! I'm only 5 foot and the length difference in my legs is so bad that I've had to order 3 and a half inch wedge heels to even out my other leg. I find in nearly impossible to sleep at night with my boot on because it's so heavy and seems to do it's own thing. I have 8 or 9 weeks in total with my boot and then there's been talk of what I'm sure will be a very flattering heeled shoe, either way it seems like forever to me, and to make matters worse... I'm getting fat, I'm not even kidding, I'm a regular porker, but hey, everybody loves a big mac, what can ya do!

The best part of my recovery so far was probably being able to bathe with both legs in the bath, it was pretty epic... took a while to get out again.. but it was so worth it! AND, my first steps with both legs and no crutches, granted, I looked like a drunk toddler, but again, definitely epic.

Wishing you all (but mostly me :P ) speedy recoveries.

Yawn, and goodnight.

Hi all, well I am now 5 month post original injury...

2011-10-18T16:30:11.956-04:00

Hi all, well I am now 5 month post original injury and 2 month post surgery. I have been back to hospital today in my boot ( been in it 7 weeks now). I saw adifferent consultant. He has advised me to start to use shoes with a wedge. Only 1 free nhs wedge permitted. He said no physio, I may not need it! I am not convinced. I am due to fly to Florida on Friday and do not feel confident yet to go without my boot. Would hate to re rupture it! Has anyone else got shoes and wedges? Any tips? How do you find them? What about physio? What exercises have you all been recommended to do?Has anyone else been told they don't need physio?

Also I have had lots of problems with sores, blisters and eczma on the underneath of my foot. Turns out I am allergic to the boot and sock.

I would love to hear from any of you about these matters. Can't wait to be walking again

I ruptured my LFT AT 3 years ago. It healed with ...

2011-10-03T22:54:53.623-04:00

I ruptured my LFT AT 3 years ago. It healed with therapy leaving scar tissue. I strained it again last year and nursed it on my own. Unfortunately, I ruptured it again this past June. The podiatrist said I had achilles tendenosis and there was not much to do for it! So he had sole inserts made for my shoes and made me wear a sock like brace. After 4 weeks of ultra sound and ionto (inflamation reducing patches). I was still experienceing sharp pains. So he said where a "boot." After 4 weeks now, It feels better and stronger but after 1 week of light walking etc. I'm having pain again. So he reluctanly said he could do cortizone shot or surgery where he scraps away scar tissue and adds a binding prouduct to the tendon. I was very aprehensive so I got a second opinion. This Dr. said to try this new prcedure where they inject blood platelets into the tendon to increase and speed up the healing process. It's experimental. OR he said he would do a surgery where he took a tendon from the foot and rerouted it to reinforce the achilles. WHAT SHOULD I DO??

Hi all, I ruptured my left achilles on May 12th 2...

2011-08-24T15:23:16.771-04:00

Hi all, I ruptured my left achilles on May 12th 2011 playing rounders. I heard a loud "pop" and down I went. I decided to go the non op route due to poss complications and being a wimp! Consultant recommending non op. Sadly for me mine did not mend and after 2 months they finally did a scan and discovered I still had a 3cm gap. I then had to wait 5 weeks for the op. Finally had the op on 16th August. I was then put in a back slab for a wk. I returned this week and have been put straight in a boot with 2 wedges that I need to get down to 1 and have been told to walk on it straight away with crutches and am not due back for another 6wk. It is very painful at moment especially when I put it down tothe ground and put any weight on it. I am worried I am walking too soon and may damage it. But am keen to try and recover quickly after all this time.

TeeGee

hey,i got told by my surgeon im young to rupture/s...

2011-08-21T05:59:53.781-04:00

hey,i got told by my surgeon im young to rupture/snap my Achilles at 24 years old. i ruptured it on the 11th of August at football training running in a straight line just jogging heard it snap!i had surgery on the 15th of August to re-join it now i have to have it in a cast for two weeks at 140degrees then go back get it changed to 90 degrees im told for a further four weeks then the CAM boot for six weeks hopefully. not sure how quick the recovery will be but wondering if i will be able to play again next year?? appreciate everyones blogs on here been great help!! i will be back to see other peoples opinions!! Bobby

Hi - great to find this blog. I was doing the Cape...

2011-08-13T07:11:05.724-04:00

Hi - great to find this blog. I was doing the Cape to Cairo trip on my motorbike. snapped my AT jumping across a ditch in Ethiopia- finished the last two weeks of the trip as Captain Clubfoot. Thank God for myprodol. Got back to Johannesburg - had our third baby the same day (C section) and had my op to repair the AT two days later. Now a week post op at home with two small kids and a newborn. get my second hard cast on Monday. Isn't old age a bugger....

Hi from Norway, complete rupture on 7 July (first ...

2011-08-03T10:21:11.873-04:00

Hi from Norway, complete rupture on 7 July (first day of vacation) playing "easy" soccer with the kids. Description as most others here - felt like a brick was thrown at my heel - my brother in law said I looked dumbfounded turning around to see who was there ... Got a cast late that evening and an operation a week later. Now in first cast which will be taken off on Friday this week after three weeks of cast. I must say that so far it has all been less painful than I thought it would be, both the rupture and process after operation. We will see when recovery starts. I will keep updating as I go along.

Hi, I actually am wearing the CAM walker for my bu...

2011-07-30T14:22:18.410-04:00

Hi, I actually am wearing the CAM walker for my bunion surgery. I have had it for 6 days, and can't figure out how the hell this thing is supposed to help me walk! It is significantly taller than my other shoe, and when I try to walk, I walk with a limp. Any advice on how to walk normally with a cam walker??
Thank you so much!

Hi there, I ruptured my Achilles tendon about 4 we...

2011-07-24T11:47:19.099-04:00

Hi there, I ruptured my Achilles tendon about 4 weeks ago and had surgery about 2 weeks ago. After a consultation with the specialist he was able to tell me I had the option of the surgical or non-surgical healing. I had been advised by the guys in the plastering department to take the surgical option and based my decision on this. I had an epidural (numb from the waist down, spinal injection) and after the operation the surgeon said it was a good job o had the surgery as "it was a right mess in there and would never have healed by itself". Stitches out on Monday, I don't know how a specialist can give me the non-surgical option when he didn't even take the cast off to have a look. Taken me a good 8 trips to the hospital and numerous frustrating cancellations including a visit on Friday to be told I am not ready to have my stitches out and the plaster guy had gone home.

Hey everyone- I ruptured my achilles about a month...

2011-07-23T22:39:17.248-04:00

Hey everyone- I ruptured my achilles about a month ago. I had surgery and have gone from a splint to a cast. In about 2 weeks I will be put into a walking boot. How comfortable are these walking boots if I were to try to stand for long periods of time? I am trying to go to a concert after about a month of being in the boot (september 12th)and would be required to stand for at least 2 hours. How is it compared to standing regularly on your own two feet?
Thanks!
-Tommy

One other thing I forgot to mention, I have been u...

2011-07-20T02:41:01.261-04:00

One other thing I forgot to mention, I have been using a "Turning Leg Caddy" instead of crutches! It is an amazing little scooter, I still use my crutches to get up my few stairs at our home, but I'm not even kidding about this scooter, it makes me almost normal mobile so I can function at our business, a convenience store/gas station. I rented ours for $127 a month. Wishing you all a speedy recovery :)

Completely detatched my right AT running the bases...

2011-07-20T02:35:03.343-04:00

Completely detatched my right AT running the bases in a softball game, as many have said, it sounded like a .22 gun shot and felt like I had been hit by a shot put out of a canon! I went down and immediately accused someone of tripping me but no one was around me! Had surgery 7 days later and have been in a bright pink cast for 3 weeks now. The 1st week and 1/2 were awful! Major tingling in heal and on top of my foot. Will have 3 more weeks of the pink cast say my Ortho Dr, then to the boot thing. I love this blog, it has really been an eye opener as to my possible recovery time. It has been a very trying 4 weeks for my hubby, but he has been an absolute saint and so have all of my employees. I was instructed to keep the ice behind my knee to cool the blood going to my foot, it really does feel nice...

I was in an Aircast for a few days before surgery ...

2011-06-25T23:13:31.116-04:00

I was in an Aircast for a few days before surgery and placed back into it after my cast was removed. It provides a customized and more comfy fit than a standard boot I believe. Just remember to deflate the air bladders before air travel. I also hear that the mid calf boots are not quite as supportive as the full length boot. One of the problems I have yet to solve is the leg length discrepancy the boot creates.

Hi Folks, I feel for you all, I too ruptured my Ac...

2011-06-09T10:39:29.897-04:00

Hi Folks, I feel for you all, I too ruptured my Achilles on 8th May kick starting my old Triumph Bonneville, Ouch!
The first 4 weeks i was in plaster with foot pointing down tip toe fashion to relieve any tension on the tendon. Scraping around on forearm crutches ... not fun.

Yesterday 8th June up to the hospital for a boot. When the plaster came off i was surprised to see still a lot of bruising around my foot. The boot is made by JURA. Its like a big plastic Armour plated ski boot with Velcro straps everywhere and a pump up support both sides of the ankle. I have 2 wedges under the heel. First night wearing it in bed was a nightmare got about 3 hours sleep! Maybe it was too tight and the wedges dug into the ball of my foot. Still on crutches, i can look forward to another 4 weeks of this and Physio, and having the wedges gradually removed and more weight slowly applied to that leg. Nightmare eh!

Good Luck to all you poor people suffering the same. Now I'm looking for some recommendations of a suitably armored motorcycle boot that might protect me from doing this again!!
All the Best from the UK

Steve

Hi In September 2010, I had a complete rupture of...

2010-12-27T16:41:16.138-05:00

Hi

In September 2010, I had a complete rupture of my left achilles tendon playing my regular weekly squash game. (What was I thinking!) I'm 53 years of age and the break was 1.5cm.

I had non-surgical treatement in a light weight boot with adjustable wedges in the heel. This seems to be reasonably common in Australia, particularly for oldish folk.

I was on crutches for the first week with the boot and had the boot on 24/7 for about 2 months. Started with 3 wedges and these were removed every 3-4 weeks.

3 months after the break, I'm walking fine but with some restriction. I'll be starting physio treatment next week.

All in all, it's a horrible injury but the treament has gone very well.

Chris M