Blood thinning injections for ruptured achilles tendon

Bones, joints and muscles
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Hi All

Firstly, thanks for all the posts on here. I have spent the last few hours on here reading all the posts and have found it very interesting and a most helpful website. Also started crying after reading others posts....have become quite emotional too. I ruptured my achilles tendon on 12 June 2016. I was in plaster of paris for a week and now am in a aircast boot for 7 weeks after which I understand will no longer have to wear it. I am a 44 year old female, about average weight or slightly overweight and was fairly active before the rupture. My concern is especially after reading through all the posts is that my consultant never prescribed me any blood thinning injections like fragmin or tinzaparin and wondered if I should have been prescribed some. I do worry a lot and I guess sitting around on a sofa all the time when I am used to being on the go all the time, means my mind is constantly thinking.

 

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I'm so sorry to hear about your achilles!  I ruptured mine last September on my 45th birthday.  Boo!  Anyway, I haven't even heard of blood thinning injections and I thought I had read every blog.  I'm in California so maybe that isn't something that's common here.  Be sure to not push it too soon- I reruptured mine 10 weeks after surgery running around town without a boot and doing too much too soon.  

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My hospital never mentioned them. It was only when I went private that they prescribed me then. Obviously just a precaution. Just get back in touch with them and ask for a prescription if you're worried.

Good luck! :-)

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I have been in pain for the last six months. After going to four different doctors and the ER with no diagnosis i finally went to a podiatrist and was diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon. I have been in a soft cast and boot for almost a week now while I wait on my insurance to approve an MRI to see how bad it is and if I need surgery. The doctor told me to go on with my regular activities but try to limit walking. I have been in a lot more pain since wearing the boot and have a lot of swelling. Just wondering how much time you spend on your foot and if swelling is an issue for you also?

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Hi Ali94228, I ruptured mine on 16 June, I am very frustrated too. I was given the Fragmin at the hospital before being discharged, they showed me a video clip, then I injected 1st one in a presence of a nurse. I was desperate to go to our holiday on 2nd July, but they said I am not allowed to flight mainly because of DVT risk not the mobility. It is a precaution, I think they follow the NICE guideline. I would get in touch with your GP. How are you coping? Do you know when you would be allowed to drive? I wish you a speedy recovery.

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I was in a POP for about a week. Then in the boot. 6 weeks after injury, they lowered the boot slightly, for the first day it felt awkward but then I was ok. I'd already been hobbling around the house without crutches at times.

For the next two weeks, I didn't use crutches around the house. At week 8, they flattened the boot. That was a week ago and it's been the hardest week since the first week. Because of the extra motion I have in the boot, the tendon is pulling and it's very painful. I can't really get around without the crutches again.

The physio said I need to be walking on it as on week 10 (8 days), the boot comes off, which I can't wait for but at the same time I'm very apprehensive. She said I'll be able to drive when it comes off. You simply can't drive with the boot on, i actually tried just sitting in the car, and you can't feel the pedals so would just be too dangerous.

I'm also aloud, since week 8 to take it off overnight. I was aloud since week 6 to take it off to clean. I was told not to take it off at all for the first 6 weeks, but I jut had to to clean it, which they weren't very happy about. But I was very careful, opening it and using baby wipes. Mine comes with a big thick sock inside, and I just couldn't imagine wearing that non stop for 6 weeks.

Becuase of how tough it's been this week, I've actually made an appointment with the specialist I originally saw which was private care. I just want to see what he thinks about the pain I'm in now and if I should get more physio. 

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oh dear! I am sorry to hear about your pain, you would've thought by then you should be pain free! mind you, it mostly beacuse of tendon not being used, the tendon itself probably healed. When did you get back to work? I know it depends on type of work we do, but even if you could do your job, but travelling to work is a big issue. This sound grazy but I cant wait to go back to work, being at home on my own whole day and not even being able to make a cup of tea for myself is unbearable, on second day I managed to burn my legs as I tried to carry my cup to the living room on my laps sitting on the wheelchair! That was like cherry on the top! 

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Yes, I think you're right, the tendon has been healing well, but it's just the stretching of it now. I was hoping though over the course of this week I would have noticed a difference, but it hasn't got any better.

I live alone too, and I completely understand what you mean about carrying things through. At first it was very difficult, once I could manage without crutches it frees up your hands of course. In the meantime, get yourself a cup with a lid, and a sports bottle for juice. Makes it a lot easier!

Bathing was a pain too. I tried showers once I could put weight on the foot and tied a bin bag over it, but it always leaked. I have since found a zip bag you can use, just search for it on google, I didn't get one as I just started getting baths, which seemed to work ok, just popped my boot on the edge. Getting in and out is awkward of course. 

I've had a bad left knee for years now, I never put weight on it going up stairs and just getting up off the couch. But it's my right achilles that ruptured, so it's even harder for me getting up and up the stairs as I'm putting my weight on this knee. Ouch!

I'm still on the sick. My sick note was for 12 weeks I think. It's been really tough as although I get full sick pay (thank god!), I'm not eligible for my bonus, which makes up a significant part of my salary.

My plan was to try and go back last week after they flattened the boot, but then of course being as limited as I've been, that went out the window. I'm still thinking of going back next week, but I need a return to work note off the doctor who I'll see on Monday and ask for his opinion. You can even do a phased return to work, so I'll probably start by going back part time.

I've been doing my shopping online and getting that delivered. I have great friends, but of course with their busy lives I may go a week without leaving the house or seeing someone. I miss the gym. I miss just being able to go for a drive. I miss playing 5 a side - which I'm now officially retired from :-(

I'm so glad I've had the football on the last couple of weeks to keep me occupied. And I've been reading plenty.

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Hi. It is standard practice in Glos Health Authority to prescribe blood thinning injections as a precaution. I know a few others on this board that have had them and some not. I ruptured my Achilles just over a year ago. I was mom operation and was out of my boot in 9 weeks, walking with a limp for a month or so and then gradually better by October 5 months later. After a year, I am fully recovered, running about, walking etc. The only challenge is getting the calf muscle back to size again, so lots of exercises even now to build the muscle I lost. Take hope, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Take it easy and don't rush your recovery as you don't want to re rupture which is a danger between the 10 and 16 week period. One tip....to shower with the boot, use swing bin liners (draw string)and a black bin bag over the top that you can tape up. I also very carefully removed the boot sitting on the edge of the bath and showered my stinky foot. There are moments of joy when you can sleep without your boot after about 9 weeks......good luck.

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Thanks Stephen for your reply. It's much appreciated and helpful.