Hi Steve. Thanks for keeping this updated. It is a valuable resource. I ruptured my left Achilles today and have been reading up. Am calling the Orthopedic Dr tomorrow. Have an 18 month old and 4 year old. I am stressing about the grief this is going to cause my wife and kids.
Congrats on your smooth recovery thus far.
Hi there Holly 29209 and Steve. Ruptured my left achilles playing badminton (in Philippines). Decided to do surgery as I was fearful of weaker tendons as the doctor said. Surgery was done 4 days post accident. But failed 4 days after that as i slightly slipped and put pressure on foot. Another surgery done a week later after MRI tests showed a gap of 1.44 cms in the tendon. Its now 4 days after the second surgery - and this time a better and hard cast (last time they put a splint only with a bandage). I think i will be in it for 4 weeks or so and then perhaps the boot. VERY frustrating and I keep imagining (i think) wet feeling inside the cast - wound leaking or something? not sure, doctor says probably sweat only.
Also not clear when to start physio - not on the wounded ankle but on the rest of the body to keep that strengthened. Any advice on that?
Sorry to hear about your rupture
best 2 blogs/videos I found were
brady browne
evan
google them with "achellis rupture" they both have a numer of videos
as they go thru this.
they did non-operative like i did. Not sure how and if the surgical differs
Mine is exactly the same as brady brownes where Evans is a little more aggresive.
My PT stressed that the worst time for re rupture is 10 to 26 weeks
(after the boot comes off)
PT seems to be the key. Very slow process but you have to keep at it.
Good luck and keep us informed
sorry to hear. Slipping is real easy to do when you have only one foot.
I would call the Dr. and ask him about what exercise you can do. They
will usually get back to you.
My dr. said I could bike (indoor with on resistance with boot on) with one leg after 2 weeks!
At 4 weeks my PT said I could use both feet and he also gave me exercise to do.
I never had a cast but I sweat a lot with the boot esp sincec the weather
has gotten a lot warmer here.
Yes VERY frustrating, just have to keep at it and do what the DR. and
PT tell you.
good luck and keep us informed
Thanks for replying Steve.
I actually just finished watching Brady Browne's video series. He was playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the time, which is the CFL team for the City I live in - Winnipeg. Go figure.
I am in a half cast now and will be getting my boot on Monday - 1 week today. I am leaning toward non surgical as well and believe it is the preferred option around here. Will keep you posted.
Karen - how is it going?
yes it is very slow.
I go to Dr. this thrs. which will be 10 weeks prob. get the boot off
PT says my calf is extremely weak! I do at least double of what he gives me and might of over done it yesterday. real stiff this morning
Hope you are doing ok. I know there are a lot worse things that can
happend but achellies ruptures su$%!
Hi Steve,
Things are going pretty good. I have been in two shoes for 2 weeks. I'm walking everywhere and haven't had the boot on for 2 weeks. That is very nice. My calf is very weak so I walk with a limp. My goal is to try to walk without a limp and regain some strength in my calf.
I go back to the doctor on Friday the 18th. I'm hopeful I will start PT at that point.
At the end of the day my foot is definitley swollen but really not very sore.
I'm going on a cruise in April so hopefully I will be walking better by then.
It's absolutley the worst injury I've ever experienced. And, I think I won't be back on the pickleball court anytime soon!!
thanks Steve - its great to have this community discussion to share and learn from. 9 days today from my second surgery on the achilles. First follow up appointment with the doctor. Still feel sweat (or something) inside the cast, lets see what doct says. Am doing some simple physio exercises at home with a physio. Some sudden occurrence of trembling in damaged leg from time to time. Will keep you informed
good luck!
Had my 10 week appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this past Thursday 3.17. He basically looked at it and felt around and told me that the PT said I was doing good and the PT is pretty much running the show from now on. He did say the after 3 months the chances of re rupture is remote. My PT said after 6 months. I will continue to be paranoid for at least 6 months.
The dr. said to break in walking without the boot in doors at first and start with an hour or two and add more as I feel like it. I plan on using the boot
When I go outdoors for awhile
Eight days ago when I first took off the boot I could barley stand. Now I can
Walk with a limp. It is amazing how much you progress when you first start out. It always seems so dire at first but the body has to adapt.
I remb. At 4 weeks starting the ROM and not being able to move my foot. Little by little I started getting the ROM back. Then when I started strength
There was basically none. But little by little it has been coming back. Then last week when I stood without the boot for the first time I could hardly stand, and now I can walk (kind of).
The key is consistent pt. If there is anything I have learned from all the blogs and posts is you just have to keep at it.
Great news Steve; you may be one of the fortunate ones with a quick recovery... fingers and toes crossed. I had a good recovery from the actual injury, but the recovery of the calf muscle is the one thing that really surprised me. Probably not doing enough of the exercises, but its only now that I'm walking anything like properly, though still got aching hamstrings going up hills. I can do a toe stand if i take about 20% of my body weight on the other foot (on scales to check!) and that is slowly improving.