Comments on Achilles Tendon Rupture Blog: Weeks 10 to 12: Accelerating Weight Bearing (and D...

complete left ATR jumping Double dutch. had surger...

2012-02-21T16:14:45.963-05:00

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.

Also, completely tore it playing squash. Had open...

2012-01-12T15:48:09.600-05:00

Also, completely tore it playing squash. Had open surgical repair 3 days later. I'm 35 and active, 5'11" and 185lbs.

I am exactly 8 weeks post-surgery. From the commen...

2012-01-12T15:45:03.047-05:00

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

Hi guys (and girls) I am now 6 weeks post op after...

2011-09-09T17:48:54.235-04:00

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...

Hi all! I'm 8,5 weeks post-op. Doc removed cas...

2011-08-27T11:26:03.921-04:00

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.

I am 9 weeks post op from complete left ATR. 6 we...

2011-06-21T14:30:38.422-04:00

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).

It’s very much important to take care of our body....

2011-06-17T23:54:34.722-04:00

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

Since I've kinda posted anonymous, I'll li...

2011-05-19T11:09:44.686-04:00

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

I ruptured mine on the 13th of April got it operat...

2011-05-19T11:02:11.155-04:00

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%.

Hey everyone, so I've been reading the past fe...

2011-05-19T07:03:37.790-04:00

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

Im in the middle of week 9 after a complete ruptur...

2011-05-17T13:09:44.676-04:00

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!

Did anyone experience swelling as they began to be...

2011-05-09T16:01:25.965-04:00

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.

To May 6 4:30pm Anon., Doc wanted to wait on PT b...

2011-05-07T07:52:12.287-04:00

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.

May 6 Anon., My calf is still there, and actually...

2011-05-06T16:30:08.872-04:00

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 5 Anon... Calf above my AT repair is no lo...

2011-05-06T10:57:26.482-04:00

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.

(I'm April 25 Anom.) I get a kick out of how d...

2011-05-05T20:44:57.260-04:00

(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.

I'm 6 weeks post-op and doc has allowed me to ...

2011-05-04T14:36:11.608-04:00

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?

Complete achilles rupture playing volleyball, loud...

2011-04-25T09:14:17.405-04:00

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.

Hi guys and girls John from the Uk Im currently a...

2011-04-05T15:11:07.836-04:00

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

Hi there. I completely ruptured my left Achilles ...

2011-03-23T14:22:38.606-04:00

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.

I am almost 3 weeks Post Op...Two weeks of a hard ...

2011-03-23T13:24:39.478-04:00

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

2011-03-23T13:22:31.439-04:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

I am 15 weeks post-op. Ruptured my left achilles ...

2011-03-20T15:49:36.757-04:00

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 a college track runner...and i rupture my ach...

2011-03-14T01:35:41.854-04:00

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'm on week 6 after left Achilles rupture. 2 w...

2011-01-27T11:17:42.933-05:00

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.