Ruptured my achilles and had operation 17weeks ago. Still limping a fair amount with some pain despite gradually developing strength in the calf. Single heel raises limited but I can take weight whilst walking on my toes. Physio seems to think I should be further ahead and walking without limp or pain. In other's experience how long might I be in pain walking and limping?
Hi David, I'm 17 weeks this Saturday and I can't do heal raisers at all and can't walk on my toes and I've been told I'm doing really well! I didn't have surgery tho, so if you did there may be a difference. I'm still limping and in pain with each step. Calf is VERY weak and I'm starting a new strengthening programme next week with my physio (a more aggressive one) I go to the pools 2-3 times a week which has helped too. My physio has told me the pain is from the tendon stretching, so the more it's stretched the less pain it will cause (once it's stretched to normal length) I'm so over this injury, can't wait to feel normal again!!
I'm 10 months after surgery. I still have trouble standing for long periods. I get gimpy after standing and walking much of the evening at work. Worst of all I get dizzy allot from standing. But I'm still making progress. Tendinitis has derailed my progress. I've had set backs. Watch out for tendinitis. Mix in some eccentric heal lifts. They help to make walking more fluid. But anything you do new, add it slowly and gradually.
You sound like your alright. Just keep plugging along consistently, and don't strain that tendon too much.
Hi Ness, thanks for that I guess it's a question of time. I do see some improvement in strength, my two footed heel raises are more controlled in both concentric and eccentric phase but I seem to have remained fairly static in terms of the pain and limp while walking. That's the frustration. How are you with the two foot raises. Interesting to hear your physio say it's more about flexibility rather than strength. I'd better do more stretching!
Hi Danny, yeah good advice. How do you distinguish between normal pain from the injury and tendinitis? Managing the eccentric phase pretty well with double feet raises but single very limited in terms off range of movement.
That's a good question. It is hard at times to tell what's going on with a surgically repaired leg. I've had Achilles tendinitis years ago so I know what it feels like. At times I really struggle to interpret the pain I'm feeling in my repaired leg. If I tried to describe how Achilles tendinitis feels I'd probably fail.
If you can find a good calf machine at a gym, you could work the max weight you can handle with with the entire range of motion on that leg and throw out the restrictions of either one legged our two legged calf lift or heel drop using body weight.
Hi david i seen your post and was wondering if you or anyone for that matter reading this could answer my question. I'm 2 weeks post op now, just had a new fresh cast put on for the next two weeks.
My doctor hasnt explained much regarding time and the "open cast / moon boot" he called it. Do you know how long you have that on for? i dont really no what else to expect.
Whilst at hospital yesterday, for my new cast i asked the doctor the next step but he said he doesn't have the "file notes" as it wasn't the doctor who performed the surgery. Thought i was meant to have my new cast on for another 4 weeks and i know its only two. (ridicous or what).
Hi Jordi, when you say a 'fresh cast', I assume you mean a solid cast not a boot. If so you are on the same protocol as I followed, in which case after a further two weeks, you will be in a boot for another 4 weeks. Whilst you are in this boot you will be asked to remove a heel support 'wedge' every week or so. After the four weeks you will be back in two shoes but if you're like me still hobbling a fair bit. My best advice would be to get in boot ASAP and do as much 'non-weight bearing' movements and gentle stretches as possible.
We are far too conservative in this country and total immobilisation for what will be eight weeks causes significant muscle loss and while it does protect the tendon most research now indicates this is well over the top. I was lucky to some extent and went to Italy and saw a othorpedic surgeon there and I started physio, allbeit in a pool, at beginning week 6 where as in this country they often don't suggest physio until week 8. In Italy it can be after week 2 which just goes to show what is possible if you get a fairly aggressive surgeon. If you look at the research it indicates that the tendon is well over 50% healed at end of week 4 so gentle non- weight bearing stretches are perfectly safe.
Hi David,
Yes i meant the solid cast excuses my use of words.
Ok thank you for the information very helpful.
How far are you into your recovery now david? I heard stories of people walking with no problems 4 months after surgery? (praying i am one of them haha)
I tore my achilles completely at work , when a stool I was standing on collapsed, it went undiagnosed for 4 weeks while I walked around on it, so I couldn't have the operation, I had 2 casts for 2 weeks each then a boot for 6 weeks, the insurance company paid for pilates sessions and I had physio as well I worked really hard but safely every day. I still am walking with a crutch, I can manage without but I am nervous everyone kept on about retears, my consultant was very negative and said it may affect my movement permanently. You do have to be careful and not rush at things.It is a very serious injury
Your still on crutches after pilate sessions and physio?
May i ask how old you are odette. I had also ruptured my Achillies, since then i have had surgery and just under 2 weeks away from getting my cast off.
I am 56 ,don't forget my injury was missed for 4 weeks , physio discovered it, so couldn't have operation it needs to be carried out within 7 days. Quite glad I didn't though I have spoken tp people who say it is still too tight after 3 years. I have also been told by all different ages the prognosis is 18 months - 2 years for full functionality. And accounts of re-tears which are 12-15% higher when it heals naturally.
I know how that is Odette, i ruptured in May!! i went to A&E and was told it was a sprained ankle even though i told them off the pain i went through as it felt like a snapped my bone... Month later in June i went to GP sent me back to Hospital for scans which showed a complete rupture. August / September the Hospital lost my information then i went on away for a few weeks, so only had it the operation late October. Im having my cast off on Wednesday was meant to be 26th but they got a cancellation and brought it forward so 4 weeks in a cast is almost over!
I have been told by my doctor 4 in 100 will ret-ear but he claims i have youth on my side being only 24 and may be up and walking normally again in about 3-4 months after my cast is removed thats why i was curious in your age.
Hi Jordi, I have had 8 weeks of physio and pilates sessions specifically for injuries, and I can walk, I stopped using my crutch today for a while, but for me it's more a case of confidence. I still have a limp and my leg had wasted away and was very thin with no muscle, still can't go downstairs properly, but can walk up and can weight bear on both legs separately, but can't stand on my toes on one leg yet.I do think it's a lot about age but I will get there. and so will you.
Thats another big step done then odette without the crutch. Im hoping tomorrow the doctor will exam my Achillies tomorrow and that will be the end of the cast and into the wedge boot, one step closer to full recovery i am hoping!
I will let you know and everyone else following this discussion how i get on!
So i am out of the cast! i have a nice moonboot on now 
. It is very strange walking on my leg today i really didnt like the first few steps as it was stigging. i thought my tendons were ripping but its actually my skin over streching (streching back to normal).
I still have my crutches (for balance) but walking home from the hospital lucky for me its around the corner from my house. (7 min walk) took me about 25 minutes as its rather difficult to get used to walking with the moon boot. I began my walk with my crutches just for balanced incase i fell by the end of the walk i was not even using my crutches to balance. 4 more weeks of this and phyiso begins.
Odette whilst in the boot did you do any extra activies to help strenghen your leg? i been told swimming is a good thing.
Hi Jordi, was just trying to think back, I didn't do anything until after 6 weeks the boot came off , and physio kicked in, my leg was so weak and thin I couldn't actually use the boot much I tended to crutch it everywhere, and found it exhausting, but i'm sure swimming would help.
Yes my leg is rather thin as well. I'm walking with my boot without crutches compared to you did not then? the doctor said i should be without crutches maybe we're taking a different recovery process, as i am only meant to have this boot for 4 weeks compared to your 6. As i am walking in my boot, my leg will hopefully strenghen over time as well as swimming.
I couldn't walk in my walking boot ironically, it had a rocker foot, and you could only walk on the front of the boot, so I had to use crutches as well. You are much younger so probably your healing may well be quicker, fingers crossed for you!!
I have a boot that i am meant to walk on my heel. Yes maybe this is what the doctor meant by age being on my side. After a weeks progress im walking alot easier leg is getting stronger, my back is killing from the way i am walking but i am getting better.