I ruptured my Achilles 10 weeks ago.Non surgery.Was in cast for 7 weeks. Been in boot for 4,another 2 weeks out of boot and 2nd physio.Ive been fully weight bearing for 3-4 weeks.Walking about house in shoes.I can stand on bad foot itself.The problem is it seems that it's not gaining any strength,it just feels the same every day.Just a numb stiffness,no where near standing on my toes.Am I doing too much?Will things progress?.
Hi Mark
It's a very slow process mate. I fully ruptured my achilles back in August, again opting for non operative and still can't do single leg calf raises. Unless you completely focus on building that muscle back up (which could be risky after only 10 weeks), then sadly you're looking at at long recovery time. It will improve fella, it just takes time and patience. You'll get there
Well, it takes time and effort.
First why you walk in house in shoes? Is it because of weakness?
You should do exercises, it take a lot of time... It’s a very slow progress, AND sometimes painful especially at the first...
You are talking about the stiffness, this stiffness can be result of weakness in muscles (can be), so try to see if this becomes from your weak muscles, how? move it with you hand, and help your leg muscle by your hands, and check if you can move it better or not...
You have to do so many exercises, to make the muscles strong again...
7 weeks in cast! It is certainly too much, then plus 4 weeks in boot... So of course you have lost muscle...
Do your exercises in home, does it as much as you can... if you want progress you must put time and effort...
Hi Mark
Yes it will progress but you have to be really patient. Keep on with the exercises and physio and just take it steadily.
I had an operation and I'm now 5 months post op and only now really starting to get some strength back in my calf.
One day at a time!
Cibby
Thank you Matthew.patience is not my greatest virtue lol.So frustrating as you will know.You take care as well mate.
Thanks Ankle Injury.
I walk about house with my shoes on as I thought this would be a part of exercising and natural movements to get strength back.I was informed you should never walk on bare feet anyway.I do a lot of exercises from physio too.I'l probably need to be more patient. Thanks again.
Hi Cibby.
5 months after op? Geez!. It's so frustrating,I'm just wanting to get back to work as a joiner.lol. You take care .thanks.
I had achilles surgery along with equinus (calf cut to grow back longer) in October of 2016 on the left leg and then the right leg (same surgery) on the right in December of 2016. Since beginning of March I have been able to get up on tip toes using both feet but I am still unable to do a single heel lift on the left without some support. Calf strength takes a long time and you didn't even have surgery. It's hard to be patient, I know. I am in PT twice a week where we do all kinds of strengthing exercises. The purpose of my calf surgery was to lengthen it to decreas the stress it was putting on both achilles tendons. Hope this helps.
Karen
Hi Karen,
your problem sounds awful,I hope you are recovering well.
Im out the boot in 2 weeks.Do you think aggressive physio can be harmful?
After my surgery I too feel better when wearing shoes, but first my physiotherapist told me I shouldn’t do that! Then when I see my surgeon, he Told me no problem but he also prefer bare feet walking, Then I see another physiotherapist she also told me I should not wear shoes in house, I told her that I’m so much better in movement when wearing shoes but she also (third person) told me not to wear shoes inside home, she told me to try slippers but better to be bare feet...
Right now I can walk bare feet better but I yet prefer shoes, but I do not wear them insides, because of those 3 specialists...
Yes it takes time and too much effort (Walking normally and putting pressure)...
Wish you fast recovery...
It should never be aggressive. At least not at first anyway. I started out with simple stretches for several weeks as well as isometrics. The most aggressive thing I'm currently doing is throwing a ball against a trampoline while standing on the bad leg, side squats, and the heels lifts.
Hi Mark - I am exactly 3 years post rupture and have had a long interesting journey to gaining almost full performance/muscle back in the calf. As I am (Still) sports mad MY recovery standards were very high. I did extensive re-hab for 2.5 years incl running, cycling, pilates. I could walk with no limp at 9wkks, jog at 12wks, run at 15wks - i.e. You can get 60-70% power back in 4-5 months .....and live ok with that.....as many do.... BUT really intensive sports - squash (me), basketball, etc - require power/muscle endurance to be back to around 90% pre-injury and that requires sustained hard work. After 3yrs of heavy exercise - that's where I am now. Happy to share my re-have tips/advice. I was non surgical & in boot/cast for 6wks. Remember very very few people - incl elite sportsman regain 100% performance. Richard
Hi Richard.
Im at 12 weeks post injury,I walk with slight limp in shoes,bad limp without them.Im 55 and don't do sport now,although I work mainly fitting heavy doors and up and down stairs a lot.I take it you are a lot younger being a sportsman.Still can't stand on tip toe (bad foot).Im hoping to get back to work within 4 weeks.The past 3 weeks walking in shoes seems to be a stuck process,so frustrating and foot and leg turns red/purple after a while.
Thanks for posting,glad you are recovering. M.
tendon are soft tissues...tendon injuries take time to heal and hence i would suggest not to stress more on your Achilles tendon...but as you mention it has already been 3 months almost...so i would suggest to go for any other physician which might see the actual problem of the tendon..!!! Also for older people the tendon injuries last for years it all depends on treatment and time..hence if your young then i should heal fast...!!!
Can anybody give me a bit of advice. I am 6 weeks in now following non surgical route. I'm not still at present with two wedges removed. Been feeling a bit of pain in it this week. Nothing major but definitely a twinge. Is this normal?
Hi Jonathan.
I am 13 weeks post injury.I was in cast 7weeks,boot 6. Although I have been walking about in house without boot for past 4 weeks.Twinges all around foot,even toes are affected.Its as if everything is at a halt for past few weeks,pain isn't severe but uncomfortable.I think it's an injury that takes a long while to get back to near normal.I was told you never get back to 100%.In saying this I don't mean to sound so negative,as everyone is different.One thing I know is that a lot of patience is needed for recovery of this injury.So take it easy and take care. I wish you well. M.
Thanks Mark. Yeah it's not unbearable pain, just a full ache really. Just hard knowing what is normal and what isn't. Care I'm getting from hospital isn't great. Haven't seen same doctor at any point and each one has a slightly different set of advice. How was your ability to walk once out of the boot? Could you get about as normal?
Was the same at hospital.I did a lot of research on line,on you tube etc.
It was as if I was telling telling them what to do.Unbelievable!. So do some research.I think it's because mainly everyone has different strengths and fears while recovering.
I was officially out of boot last Thursday,i went and got a good pair of trainers,it felt good and had slight limp,but what you will probably find when your on your feet for a little while the leg and foot turns to a red/ purple colour,that's because the calf muscle has still to get full strength to pump the blood,this will take time and I am working on exercises right now for this.I hope to get back to work in three weeks,I'm a joiner and fit heavy doors up and downstairs a lot,so I'm a bit apprehensive.You will get discomfort for months. Sorry. A bloody awful injury.
I am a teacher so haven't taken anytime off. I've managed, with the help of others, to get to work and then basically taught from a chair. But I am hoping I'll be able to drive etc sooner rather than later and then commute will be easier, and I can start to use my feet a bit more too. Do you drive and if so have you been able to?
My wife took me to a big empty car park to see if I could drive,I can do it at a push but a bit uncomfortable.I also feel a bit anxious just thinking about going back on the road.When I go back to work I will be driving a transit van.