Black, White, Blue? Or Pink?
Just back from the Fracture Clinic at Addenbrookes, having decided to go for the conservative approach.
With so many studies and accounts to consider it’s not possible to be totally happy with a decision, but that’s it made now and I have to stand by it (assisted by crutches).
The consultant said that while there will be a higher risk of re-rupture, it is still commonly a successful treatment, which would require the same time in cast as having surgery. I feel comfortable with the advice I’ve been given, though part of me would have preferred them to tell me what to do instead of offering plenty of reasons - any combination of which could have led me down either path.
I’ve spoken to a lot of friends in the last week about the choice I was having to make on surgery. With few exceptions they’ve said: “I think you should go for the surgery.” But when I ask them what they are basing that on, no-one has been able to say why. I think the assumption is that going for surgery is the best option, and you’d only avoid it if you were fearful of it.
I’ve been convinced by the consultants I’ve seen that opting for non-operative treatment is not a cop-out, and rationally it’s as sensible as going for surgery, if for different reason.
If I’m unlucky and it does re-rupture, then I can always go for surgery then.
So, I’ve got a fancy new hard cast that I’ll wear for the next three weeks. I chose the white option, though I could have had it black, blue, yellow, or pink!
When Eric, who put me in cast, took the temporary “back-strap” off, my ankle was swollen, with yellow bruising on the calf and dark red below the ankle. Didn’t look too bad though. Scratching my calf for 30 seconds after he took the old one off and got the new one ready almost made this whole ordeal worth it!
I’ll wear this until mid-November, with the toes pointing downwards, then swap it for one where they’re brought up slightly. I’m looking at eight or nine weeks in plaster, then on to the next step. I’ll worry about that when it comes.
Some very good news is that I can go back to work when I like, so I’ll see if I can get in later in the week.
I could do with one of those Segways. Anyone have one spare?
Glad all is OK. Hope the healing process goes well and its good you can go back to work and keep the mind working.
Ha! Yes, I had the same choice. The mum of a teenage girl who was getting her foot re-plastered was urging me to go for pink - a shocking pink at that - but I played safe with blue. I’m in again a week on Friday…. if (who am I kidding, it’ll be when) they take the current cast off and put me in a new one, I may well go for the pink. Just to make me chuckle.
How you doing anyway, Alex?
I’m OK thanks Kevin. Got in to work today to see a few folk which was good. It’s good to get out!
I’m having a new cast put on in three weeks, and my girlfriend has now dared me to get a pink one. Don’t know what the problem is - pink’s a great colour. According to wikipedia it was a boy’s colour until the 1940s.
I’ve settled in to my cast well, with very little pain. I feel very fortunate that I haven’t suffered too much pain at all yet. A couple of uncomfortable nights but nothing the formidable Nurofen PLUS can’t handle.
How are you getting on?
I have to say I’ve been pretty lucky with the pain too - been reading quite a lot on here about some poor guys who’ve been having trouble sleeping but (touch wood) I haven’t really been affected too much. Bit sore for a week, and using the stuff the hospital gave me. Now down to the odd paracetamol and two of those before bed sorts me out.
Generally, I’m okay thanks. Have my moments when I’m totally cheesed off but I’m accepting that I can’t hurry things, I’m used to the crutches a bit more - don’t go far, occasionally I’ll hobble out from work at lunchtime to get some fresh air and buy lunch. This forum’s becoming a bit of a lifeline. Some posts do worry me (when I realise that getting out of plaster is just phase 1 of recovery) but it’s been a great help to be able to talk to others in the same situation.
I find that the people around me are split - some know exactly what I’ve done and what an Achilles tendon is, and go pale when I explain what’s happened, while some don’t understand and just think I’ve hurt my ankle.
Hey Alex, looks like we ruptured about the same time, I was on Oct 25th….but I had the surgical treatment. Will be interesting to see how we both come along. I am in a plaster cast with almost full plantar flexion til next Friday when I go into a fibreglass cast apparently, and they start bringing the toes up. Start PWB two weeks after that cast goes on.
Apparently the fibreglass cast will be lighter and airier, thank heavens because Brisbane coming into summertime is no place to have half a leg wrapped in plaster….it will be roasted before long!
My biggest worry is my other achilles at the moment….very sore!!! I am going to get me a physio to do some preventative work on it I reckon.
Looking forward to seeing how you progress.