i am an ICU nurse and had left insertional tendinitis a few years back. Healed up when I took time out to travel and wasn't working full time. A few months ago my right Achilles started getting sore. Had USS and it showed I have bilateral archilles tendinitis. Was seeing a physio and having treatment and taking strong painkillers to get thru a shift. A few months ago I injured left Achilles at work. The physio was helping. Well.....a week ago I tripped at work and tore my right Achilles! I have a full thickness tear. Was in back slab for week and then to ortho clinic and now have cast on right foot. Go back in 3 weeks for further cast where toes won't be so pointed. I found using crutches extremely painful on my 'good' foot! So hired a wheelchair. This is a huge help. My question is ...how long am i looking at being out of work for? This is a work place injury so I am covered for loss of wages and any treatment required. I have been advised that I can see a surgeon privately and it will be covered. In view of my previous tendinitis and spurs maybe seeing a surgeon privately would be a good idea. Any advice? So to sum up...I have a partial thickness tear to left Achilles and my recent injury is full thickness tear to right Achilles.
Hi Buffy,
So sorry for your injuries. Going back to work is a tricky thing and one thing I have learned about this injury - everyone heals differently. I also had insertional achilles tendonistis and torn the achilles off the bone. I choose the surgery option - really didnt have a choice. I went back to a desk job at 3.5 weeks and did ok but most folks dont
return for months. If I could do it over I would stay off for a longer period. I used a knee scooter instead of crutches - the crutches were too unstable for me. I hate that your having trouble with both achilles - Good luck and speedy recovery.
Hi Buffy
Sorry to hear about your rupture.
I done my one full rupture left Achilles in April 2016 so I know exactly what you are going through.
Re your questions:
Private- Yes I would absolutely go private as the care you receive is on a different level and you are seen more often too during your progress which for this type of injury is really important. I have read on here how some people have not had same amount of care as me (I went through private too)
In addition I would take the surgery option with them too as there is a much higher success rate and it reducing the risk of rerupture in the future compared to just being put in a backslab and hoping for the best. They will go through the risks depending on age etc but do your research literally googling re surgery or not.
Time off work- this is an injury you cannot rush. I was off work for 4 months and then back on limited return. When I returned at 4 months I was still on one crutch so it really does take a lot of time.
The most simplest things like stepping off a curb or walking down stairs are challenging and need to be learnt again so it takes time.... remember it can rupture.
Are you in U.K.?
Thanks for your reply. I am in Australia. So far I am happy with care I have received in public health but workplace cover has suggested a couple of times that I can go private. I am going to call a private Orthopedic surgeon that specialises in feet injuries this morning. Will see what they suggest and how quickly I can get into them. I'm thinking a few months off work at least as I work in a busy ICU and spend a lot of time walking!
Hi Buffy
I had non surgical treatment and I am returning to work at 13 weeks to a more office based lighter role than normal. I am an engineer who spends a lot of time on my feet which I'm sure is similar to you working as a nurse. Certainly wouldn't think it would be quicker than 3 months and more than likely closer to the 4 to 5 for a full returns to normal work.
Hope This helps.
All the best.