Comments on Achilles Tendon Rupture Blog: The First Three Weeks Post-Op: Rest and Elevation

I stumbled upon an invaluable resource right after...

2012-02-11T19:42:07.734-05:00

I stumbled upon an invaluable resource right after I ruptured my achilles tendon. I called the local Goodwill to see if that had any of the (for the lack of a better description) "old lady walkers." I was referred to a man (I think from Easter Seals) who not only had that but also a shower chair, and even a toilet seat riser. All of this was FREE. He said people donate them for anyone who needs them. You can offer to donate cash if you want or not, it doesn't matter. I chose to donate, but I'm also going to re-donate everything when I no longer need it. So you may want to call your local Goodwill and see if they can help you too.

4th week to the day today since the operation for ...

2011-09-16T11:54:26.119-04:00

4th week to the day today since the operation for a total rupture of my left achilles...
the cast has been set at various positions and is now in the 'neutral' position. no probs as far as i know, a bit of pain but i think it has gone ok so far. doc says i can start putting weight back onto it (full weight). however, it seems strange now trying to do this, im in cast for 4 weeks but i can put weight on to it. think i may still use the crutches and just use my left leg as a kind of stabiliser. what are your thoughts guys? john

hi there

2011-09-16T11:51:39.684-04:00

hi there

I am now in the third week of having vacoped boot ...

2011-08-29T06:45:00.080-04:00

I am now in the third week of having vacoped boot after previously having various casts and foot in different positions. On wednesday I will have my foot lifted 15 inches and then in another two weeks it gets lifted for final time then physio i think. Can anyone tell me is this when I can walk again?
In total since rupturing my achilles I have been out of action for two months. I am seriously fed up and just want to get back on my bike again.
DRs are telling me it will be another 6 weeks before i can consider walking,,,,,

I was at work and cut the back of my ankle on piec...

2011-08-10T00:45:46.606-04:00

I was at work and cut the back of my ankle on piece of sharp metal on 8/5/11. I thought I scratched it, and went to walk but fell on the ground. I looked at it and seen it was pretty deep. I had no pain whatsoever so I didn't think it was that bad.

A manager took me to the hospital so I can get some stitches and the doctor told me that I cut my Achilles tendon completely in half. He gave me 5 stitches and put me in a soft cast from my toes all the way up to the bottom of my thigh. He got me an appointment 4 days later with a orthopedic doctor. During them 4 days, I still didn't feel any pain at all.

I went to the doctor on 8/9/11 and he scheduled me for surgery today (8/10/11). I am about 9 hours outside of surgery and still don't feel any pain. The only thing I feel is the cut and its not a pain, just a discomfort.

He told me I will be in a soft cast for 2 weeks, then he will take the stitches out. After that, he will have me in a hard cast for 4-6 weeks. He explained everything to my mother right after surgery an I did not get a chance to talk to him after the surgery. I don't know what will be done after I get the hard cast off, but he told my mom I should be able to put pressure on it about 6 months in.

My question is, should I worry about the lack of pain? I keep hearing that this is a painful ordeal. I don't need any pain meds at all.

Also forgot to mention that my wound hardly bleed at all.

Anonymous said...hi it is just six months since ac...

2011-07-18T21:51:03.211-04:00

Anonymous said...hi it is just six months since achilles surgery and I am still having pain when I walk any amount of time and numbness...drs just say it takes time and up to a year...does anyone else have this problem after six mos. post op...ty

Just found your blog as well as and have an import...

2011-07-03T19:01:50.243-04:00

Just found your blog as well as and have an important question. I don't believe I had a full tear because I only experienced pain when I tore the tendon (playing basketball) and for a day or two after surgery. I hate the crutches and found that I could get around with the boot they had provided after surgery. I know this in notRICE and was possibly stupid but my surgeon said "let pain be your guide." After two weeks I was able to get around without the boot and not crutches by keeping my ankle straight and being careful. Its now three weeks and I certainly cannot and will not stretch my achilles, but am getting around OK. Bottom line, am I in serious risk of my tendon not healing correctly??

First of all this blog is great. It has helped me...

2011-06-27T11:30:42.186-04:00

First of all this blog is great. It has helped me tremendously to understand what to expect and how to be prepared as best as I can. Full ATR 6/14, went to the doctor on 6/15 and in a boot until my surgery on 6/22. I am in leg splint that goes above the knee. I have my first post op exam 6/30. ATR happened playing tennis after several years. This is a bummer because my cycling and running season are done for the year. Anyway, I am staying positive.

Regards,

Tryster66

Consider asking your doc to prescribe Neurontin or...

2011-06-25T23:25:08.395-04:00

Consider asking your doc to prescribe Neurontin or Lyrica to treat your neuropathic pain.

smHi had achilles surgery in Jan...was in hard cas...

2011-06-12T18:29:50.081-04:00

smHi had achilles surgery in Jan...was in hard cast for six weeks, non weight bearing, started Pt six weeks ago...feel some strength in my ankle but still have numbnesss around my whole foot, pain if i walk more than 20 mins.. it has been 5 months now and am wondering if anyone else has had this after their surgery.. I know they told me a year for it to be back to normal but didnt expect to have numbness and pain like this...

I had surgery for right achilles rupture on 1/17/1...

2011-06-10T16:28:58.953-04:00

I had surgery for right achilles rupture on 1/17/11 (tore it while playing basketball). In a cast for 2 weeks, then put into a walking boot for 30 days (still with crutches, but doc encouraged me to put some weight on it), after which PT would start. I'm a 50 year old male who can't sit still and 30 days in the boot was way too long. Looked into a few passive exercizes to do before PT started, and found a few that really heldped. At 4 months post op I played basketball (cautiously) and at 5 months post op my doc released me to do whatever I want. I'm back playing hoops without much thought of my achilles. As for the exercizes, I did 3 different ones, all with the boot off: #1) spell the alphabet with your toes, #2) do circles in both directions with your foot/toes, #3) put a tennis ball on the floor and roll your foot over it, gently applying tension on the ball as without stressing your achilles.

I hope this helps. This blog made me feel a lot better when I was facing surgery, and I hope my quick recovery might help others. I think the biggest thing is to get movement back into your foot/leg ASAP.

Mark

cltgamer and others, I'm now 6 weeks post-sur...

2011-05-28T13:55:35.094-04:00

cltgamer and others,

I'm now 6 weeks post-surgery with strict instructions from my surgeon to not put any weight on my foot/boot. I got the iWalk Free from a company off the internet named vitalitymedical.com for $275.00 total with free shipping and it arrived in about 3 days. They also charge around $70.00 week "rent", so if it doesn't work, you at least can send it back and get some $ back up until 4 weeks. I gambled not knowing how long I might use it because of that option. In the last two weeks, I went on two business trips with it on and was able to go through airports easily (just had to submit to pat downs, but TSA was real professional). Imagine all the logistics of an airport and security with crutches...you just can't use your hands, whereas, I had both hands free to get tickets, put my hand carry stuff through the security checkpoint, use a cell phone while walking, and carry anything in either hand etc. While at conferences, I had flexibility to hold a drink and shake hands and even stand for extended periods of time. Like anything, it takes some getting used to early on and after a long week, I have some minor pain in my shin and knee, mainly because the boot ends further down my leg than the cast which worked better in the iWALK Free. AT home, I mix it up between normal crutches and the iWF. I probably have had it on for up to 8 hours on numerous days and sometimes when sitting, I take it off and sometimes, I just leave it on. I also do stairs just fine...imagine hauling a suitcase up or down stairs with crutches...iWF allows me to do that one step at a time.

I see my Doc Tuesday, so I'm hopeful I can be able to start some weight-bearing and can ditch the iWF soon, but if not, it will get me trhough another trip in mid-June. I ultimately will put it up on e-Bay when I'm sure I'm done or advertise it via this blog. I highly recommend it for another reason too...it gives my stomach and other thigh muscle some exercise, so atrophy of those muscles has been limited some.

Just found this blog as well and I'm very inte...

2011-05-26T15:01:58.157-04:00

Just found this blog as well and I'm very interested in hearing about the responses to the iWalk-Free crutch. I don't have an ATR but a bone spur which requires surgery and cutting of the Achilles. This looks like a valid option to using crutches. How difficult is it to get used to it? How long can you comfortably wear it? I live in a two-story, so will this be better for getting around? I like the hands-free concept, a lot.

I've also seen them on eBay for around $300 if anyone else is interested.

Love the blog! I partially ruptured my achilles p...

2011-05-23T18:20:23.959-04:00

Love the blog! I partially ruptured my achilles playing soccer (40 yr old). Didnt realize what happened for a long time. It hurt like heck but I thought I got kicked just under the calf, didnt get much better after two weeks of severely hobbling around, made a Dr. appt (took a week to get one) and was in surgery the following week (month after injury). I had been trying to stretch it out during the two weeks post injury...not smart! the tendons were about 2 inches apart because of that. Anyway, surgery went well 95% rupture. Get the stitches out tomorrow. I am in an L shaped splint with an ACE bandage on it, no hard or soft cast. I had tremendous pain when the nerve blocker wore off because I neglected to take the pain pills...not smart either. It took about 12 hours for the pain meds to catch up but I havent had any pain since and I have been off the pills for a week. I am hoping to get the stitches out tomorrow and get into a walking boot. I am a little nervous since I have absolutely NO pain now and I can move my foot some since its not in a cast. Seems like most people were immobile and in pain during the first two weeks...makes me wonder if something is not right. Anyone else have no pain after a couple of days? I cant wait to drive again!

Following op 3 months ago I have a 2cm section in ...

2011-05-23T15:53:41.755-04:00

Following op 3 months ago I have a 2cm section in middle of wound which has re-opened and is proving very tough to heal - any tips welcome.

I am three weeks post op today. Got my stitches ou...

2011-05-17T18:00:16.102-04:00

I am three weeks post op today. Got my stitches out last week -- not painless by any stretch, but tolerable. My new cast is lighter and shorter which makes it easier to get around. My knee scooter is da'bomb. It makes it so much easier to get around everywhere but my own home. My favorite thing is this gadget that circulates air through your cast via a vacuum cleaner. It's easy to set up, not expensive to buy, approved by my surgeon (as long as it's not blowing stuff into the cast, he thought it was okay). I tried it for the first time today . . . well the first four times because it felt so good I had to do it again and again. Nice relief.

My May 11th appt with the surgeon went well. He w...

2011-05-14T12:14:07.707-04:00

My May 11th appt with the surgeon went well. He was particularly focussed on any swelling and there was none, so he (and I) were very happy. That was 4 weeks post-op, but for 2 more weeks, he has me in a Air Cast with a significant foot wedge. The Air Cast allows me to bathe it as well as soak the leg in my hot tub, so that was a nice switch to a more normal life. My Air Cast is pretty heavy, but comfortable and nice to be able to remove when I plan to just rest with my leg up. Unlike some other Docs, mine didn't suggest any walking on it and more crutching around for 2 more weeks. Either my full rupture location or my Doc's very conservative nature means my instructions are no walking or attempting any movement or stretching of my leg/ankle. He did say after these 2 weeks, he'll adjust the wedge under my ankle and we'll begin some physical therapy. That is on May 31st. Wishing all successful recoveries.

Hi I'm 3 weeks post op and just had my stitche...

2011-05-06T13:44:42.417-04:00

Hi
I'm 3 weeks post op and just had my stitches out and been put in the boot. The physio has told me to take it off and pull my foot up gently by wrapping a towel around it. I have done this a few times but it doesnt move far at all. I am scared to pull too hard. Does anyone else do this exercise and do you pull till it hurts?
Im a 39 year old male.
Any suggestions email me
roberts.craig@sky.com

Thanks

Got my first post op appointment today. (I was abl...

2011-05-04T07:22:45.735-04:00

Got my first post op appointment today. (I was able to reschedule it from next Wednesday to this Wednesday -- YAY!) Eight days out of surgery. The pain is manageable, more manageable than the agitation and frustration. About the same level of pain as before the surgery, so that's very good. I am hopeful that this clunky first cast will be transformed into a sleek, light, regular cast. This one is driving me nuts. I bought a Cast Cooler, a gadget that helps keep your cast dry and relieves itching. I'll report on that soon.

I'm almost 8 weeks post op from complete ATR. ...

2011-05-02T15:04:21.228-04:00

I'm almost 8 weeks post op from complete ATR. Ruptured my right achilles playing basketball. I'm 50 yrs old and in good shape. Had surgery 3 days after rupture followed by 3 weeks in a cast, 3 weeks in a boot and on crutches. After 6 weeks I was boot and crutch free with FWB. I was driving with my left foot 2 weeks after surgery(Just takes practice). I have 4 kids and they all are involved with sports or other activities. My wife was doing a wonderful job balancing work and the kids activities but I needed to help her out. I feel very comfortable driving with the left foot. Returned to work behind the desk after 4 weeks. Physio therapy started 3 weeks ago and I'm walking around with a slight limp but with stiffness in the tendon. I didn't know there were so many of us out there with this injury. I just wish all of us a speedy and painless recovery..

haycock, I'm 16 days out of surgery and can m...

2011-05-01T10:39:08.492-04:00

haycock,

I'm 16 days out of surgery and can maybe provide some insight, however, I was in a soft cast, then at 13 days post-surgery, they removed that cast and the staples, put on steri-strips for the incision, then put me in a hard cast for 2 more weeks, so my situation may be different. I know pain has been completely gone for many days and I've gotten better at crutches, even feel safe going up and down stairs. I keep my leg elevated when practical and even bought an iWALK Free crutch ($275.00) which I got better at day by day. I use it interchangeably with the standard crutches. I feel it provides better mobility and use of hands, as well as exercising my bad leg thigh. Last night, I walked with my wife and our dog down 3 houses in my neighborhood and back. Sadly, I learned that I wore off some skin where the hard cast hits my shin. Gotta let that heal some now.

As for bathing, I found the tub is the best, but before surgery, when I showered standing on one leg, I did what I call a "crab-crawl" with my butt down and on my two hands and one good leg used to walk. I did that to and from the toilet and in order to safely get into the shower over the 8 inch stile you refer to. Hope some of this is helpful.

I'm looking forward to May 11th, when they take this cast off...I should either get a boot or two more weeks of another hard cast...this is apparently based on what the Doc thinks about how the incision is healed. He told me right up front, the timeline was 6 months, but also said he is REAL cautious about the incision healing first an NO complications. I assume I'm still on the path for 6 months.

I'm five days out of surgery, I think. Pain wa...

2011-04-30T22:34:04.759-04:00

I'm five days out of surgery, I think. Pain was awful the first two or three days, but has eased up. I just wish I could get out of this heavy cast with the cotton oozing out of it and everything kind of fitting wrong.

I am trying to develop some fitness in the rest of my body while I recover -- lost so much while I wrestled with the chronic tendinopathy.

Really wish I could figure out how to get over the little 8-inch stile between my shower and the floor of my bathroom. I'm afraid I won't clear it in a hop.

Feels so silly to fret over this stuff.

All, I was happy and surprised when I returned to...

2011-04-27T15:25:35.733-04:00

All,

I was happy and surprised when I returned to my Doc at the 2 week post surgery point. They said all has healed well, took out the staples, cleaned up my leg, and placed steri-strips on my incision. Based on all I had read in this blog and other places, I expected a boot. I was happy all went well thusfar, but surprised when they put me into a hard cast now for two more weeks. The plan is to allow the incision to fully heal, ensure no rubbing of the wound, no twaeking of the tendon, or chance of infection, then see me in another 2 weeks (11 May). I understand that I may get put into a boot OR another cast for two more weeks based on what they see on 11 May. I'm OK with following the Doc's orders, but was hopeful to get past the cast. I do recall my Doc saying pre-surgery that he is very cautious about getting the incision healed first. He also said he would have me back in 6 months, so I may have some agressive PT once he does put me in a boot. Since I'm 51, maybe he has extra concerns for healing, not sure. The good news is I have no real pain and have been off the pain killers since Easter. Just more waiting ahead and use of cruthes or the iWALK Free. I hope everyone else is healing fine as well.

Joe and all, A few more days have passed and the ...

2011-04-20T20:47:37.882-04:00

Joe and all,

A few more days have passed and the pain is still minimal unless I sit for too long which I did today. I got out of my routine of just laying in order to do some work and a change of scenery out of the bed. I'll try to get back to more laying down tomorrow.

I did more research and ended up ordering the iWALK-Free from a place that sells them "used" and they will also take the item on return for basically a $70.00/week rental. I know I'm taking a risk but the freedom that crutch looks to provide seems worth it. I'll be the test case and report back, but it won't arrive for a few days yet. Hopefully, I'm not reporting back that I did what you feared and fell right on the leg. As a life-long athlete in many sports requiring balance, I'm pretty sure I can handle this simple walking crutch.

As for other wierd things, I still have that "numb" feeling on my heel and last night as well as today, my ankle twitched a few times in the direction of my toes up. At first it seemed like this hurt, but it really didn't and was more of a shock. In total, its happened 5-6 times. As for dreams, I rarely recall my dreams, but I had one last night where I got out of my cast and the first day by accident, I stepped on the ground with no boot or any support and was able to walk...talk about a crazy dream. I guess we know my mind is pretty focused on the upcoming weeks.

Happy healing to all. Any info on the iWALK-Free crutch or other help for guys one week post surgery is appreciated.

Nick It sounds like we are in the same place recov...

2011-04-19T10:25:47.954-04:00

Nick
It sounds like we are in the same place recovery wise, so thanks for your comment. I was worried something went wrong, but your post has cleared my worries, so thank you.
As far as the iWalk crutch, I thought about that too. I decided against it for 2 reasons:
1- I can't imagine it is easy to balance on that thing. I'm sure you'd get used to it, but in the mean time falling backwards with that crutch could be catastrophic, as you couldn't really avoid landing on your foot positioned the way it is.
2- It's pretty expensive for something you'd only really use for this. Unless you plan on doing this again, it may not be a worthy investment. Renting one of the carts might be a better thing.
Those are my thoughts, but I would like to hear the testimony from someone who this has worked for, because I'm sure I'm wrong.
Thanks again for your comment. I too am looking forward to getting back to being mobile. Being a youth pastor who works with kids a lot, and also a guy who plays a lot of sports, I'm getting stir crazy. It's even led to some pretty strange dreams, haha. Not sure if any of you have had that...maybe I'm just a weirdo.
In any case, blessings to all of you in your recoveries, and to those of you who have already recovered but provide encouragement to us who are still in it. Thanks!