I am 18 weeks post op. How is everyone's recovery going? I need to hear some positive stories cause I am. Stone frustrated with how long it is taking me to get back to normal.
Anyone have the following problems?
1. Popping noise from ankle?
2. Hard time walking with foot straight
3. Hard time walking and not having knee locked cause it hurts to bend knee and walk?
Help!!!
Sorry Lori. My struggles are new BUT I'm praying that we continue to recover at 100% with PT, stretching, a lot of vitamin C, and ice packs.
Did you regain total feeling in your foot???
I am 6 weeks today and yes to number 2 and 3. The straight leg thing is really causing some extra strain on the knee that I don't need. But on the bright side i am glad to be back on my own 2 feet walking even if it is more of a shuffle lol.
Hola Lori,
Tengo el mismo problema que el número 2, pero no te preocupes, llegarás eventualmente, un día a la vez. Mi médico me dijo que esta lesión es peor que romper un hueso, ya que es un proceso de recuperación largo.
Sé positivo y todo irá bien.
Hello Lori - This week is week 18 after operation for me too.
1. I don't get popping noise from ankle. If I massage the tendon sometimes it sounds like a tiny popping sound.
2. Yes you ll have hard time walking with foot straight. Stiffness from thickened tendon. Weakness of calf. My walking has improved and after hot yoga class I can walk quite straight normally for sometime before stiffness returns
3. I don't have this issue
What shoes are you wearing? I'm still in good light but supportive trainers.
Ps i believe you will improve each week, the more you do, there ll be improvement, I excercised on stationary bike on 3 consecutive days - that didn't work well for me - I had pain and rested 2 to 3 days. I'm ok again...
Hola Lori, estoy a 15 semanas post operadas. Así es mi vida ahora...
Caminar bien, casi sin cojera (aunque tengo que trabajar en esto y luchar contra el impulso de cojear). Llevar zapatillas con cuña de gel en el talón todo el tiempo. Cuando estoy en la oficina o en casa, camino descalza (pobres colegas).
Conducir un coche con embrague de nuevo, lo cual está bien, aunque si conduzco largas distancias, duele y se pone muy hinchado.
Jugué 18 hoyos de golf la semana pasada por primera vez. El tobillo estaba muy hinchado después y tardó 2 días en calmarse. Un partido a la semana a partir de ahora...
Voy a fisioterapia dos veces por semana para masajes y ultrasonidos. Hago elevaciones de pantorrillas en la piscina todas las mañanas y nado.
Mi pierna aún se hincha todos los días y el cirujano me dijo que esperara esto durante el próximo año. Ya lo he aceptado y aunque duele un poco, es soportable sin necesidad de tomar pastillas.
En cuanto a mantener el pie recto, según lo que me han dicho, realmente tienes que luchar contra ello y trabajar duro para mantener el pie recto si es posible. También evita cojear si puedes. Ambos pueden convertirse fácilmente en hábitos y muy difíciles de perder si los haces demasiado tiempo.
Es una lesión horrible, pero haciendo todas las cosas bien y manteniéndote enfocado, mejorará y la vida volverá a la normalidad.
¡Mucha suerte con tu recuperación...
Hi Lori,
I had surgery on July 28th and this Thursday I will be 5 weeks post op. Last Friday I finally got the cast taken off and am now in a walking boot. Putting my foot down for the first time was surreal! I was so glad not to have to hop around with that walker, ughh!
Right now I'm going through #3 - it doesn't lock but it hurts when walking. I too wonder if its because of the boot. On a happier note though, I took my first shower in almost 5 weeks!!!
Wishing all of us a speed recovery!
Hello Kris. Really good to hear your story - how does ultra sound help ? I'm also doing double leg calf raises but I realise I don't yet have sufficient strength for single calf raise. You story has nudged me to try calf raide in the pool...thank you...I'm seeing physio once per week - I found that I can do alot more after message - tendon leg is so much lighter and flexible...
So Dez now that you're in a walking boot are u still using crutches?
Raven. I never had crutches - I was using a walker. When I was leaving the hospital they gave me the choice of taking the crutches or the walker (with wheels). After almost falling twice with the crutches, I took the walker.
I used the walker for 2 days after getting the boot but am now walking (albeit slow and with a limp) and am no longer using the walker. I have my 1st physical therapy appointment this coming Thursday.
Considering u had surgery a day after me, it's interesting that you're not using crutches or a walker. My dr.said I have to use crutches or my scooter for 6 weeks in spite of wearing a boot. This boot and crutches are annoying for sure. Anxious to start pt.
I'm not sure where you're located but I'm here in the U.S. and my surgeon told me that he wanted me to do 4 weeks of non weight bearing activities, which means that I couldn't walk on that foot at all, and then 4 weeks in the boot while starting physical therapy as soon as possible. So far so good.
Now, what I didn't mention was that I originally tore my tendon back in Oct of 2015. My podiatrist said that I didn't need surgery and put me on the walking boot for 8 weeks. Each week I went to the office to get ultra sound therapy. He did not want me to do physical therapy which I thought was extrememly odd. I didn't get any better in 8 weeks and ended up being out from my job a total of 4 1/2 months! When I came back to work this April, before the end of the week I got that all too familiar pain in my heel. I could NOT believe it. Long story short, after a 2nd opinion and 2nd MRI it showed that the tear was worse than before. My 2nd opinion referred me to my surgeon and the rest is history. I just wish I had met my 2nd opinion doctor and the surgeon back when I first hurt it in October. Oh well, hopefully now this will be it!
Oh wow.sorry you had to go through that. I'm in the US also and my doctor said it wouldn't heal without surgery and I've been in the boot for a month pt pending. Well wishes on your continued recovery and thanks for responding
Hola Emma. También me cuesta hacer elevaciones de pantorrilla individuales en el lado de ATR. Las he estado haciendo apoyando la mano en el alféizar de la ventana en casa y en la oficina para quitar un poco de peso, lo que realmente ayuda y estoy seguro de que se ha fortalecido en la última semana. Vale la pena intentarlo...
En cuanto al ultrasonido, nunca he estado convencido de sus beneficios, pero mi fisioterapeuta me asegura que ayuda en el proceso de curación. Mientras no cause daño, estoy feliz de atacar esta lesión con todo lo que pueda 
La piscina también es genial para practicar caminar arriba y abajo sin cojera y con el pie recto hacia adelante. Incluso logré avanzar a un "algo así como" trote en la piscina esta mañana, lo que se sintió genial...
Hello Kristen - thanks for great tips. Yes I too am using the window sill to practice single heel raise. My physio says that the ability to do single calf raise is needed for jogging running later down the line.
Today I was walking in the pool, also tried walking on tip toes, and practiced single heel raise - the water certainly takes the weight off and allows at least the motion - it felt great.
I had my AT surgery August 22nd. I am in a cast for 3 weeks followed by a boot for 3 months all non weight bearing. It's driving me crazy! I have crutches and a walker but let's face it, it's just difficult to get around when you can't put any weight in your leg. I'm planning on going back to work next week but I'm not sure how that is going to work out 😏
Donna August 22 and you're going back to work already? Wow.. My doctor said the only way I can return to work is if I can work from home with my foot propped up..best of luck
I HAVE to go back! I work with autistic preschoolers too so it's going to be tough! I'm hoping to at least be able to prop my foot up some throughout the day. It's not going to be fun at all! 😩
Oh wow..yeah that's going to be interesting. Keep us posted on how that's going. Good luck!