Other bits & pieces
Below is a photo of the hand held massager I have been using throughout my recovery. It has variable vibration setting and applies gentle heat at the same time. In the UK it is sold as the Scholl DRMA7301 Percussion Massager.
Together with use of a home ultrasound therapy unit, I found these very effective modalities.
Can you give me a bit of info on when you started using it .I am 6 weeks post op and basically just doing my own thing (FWB) .As nhs have not given me much info at all and not back in for another 4 weeks.Do you massage the whole area including scar .
Thanks Steve
I will investigate getting one of these!
georgiemac, good idea. I have added the product details to the page now.
trickybricky, I have used the massager on the tendons, the calves, the quads, and it is nice on the soles of the feet. I used the massager on the tendon from week 6. By this point I knew the ruptured tendon was back in continuity, my ROM was progressing well and I had no tendon pain.
I started by setting the massager on the lowest vibration level and massaged away from the rupture site. Then I progressed to going up and down along either side of the tendon ensuring contact was light and there was no pain from it. It feels quite vigorous the first time you use it on the tendon, but keep the intensity low initially and build up as you get comfortable using it.
Your NHS experience and decision to do your own thing, sounds similar to mine. I have earlier Posts that cover this, including my frustrating Fracture Clinic visits. Good luck
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trickybricky, also I am non-op so haven’t had to deal with the scar issue. Maybe someone who has experience of operative ATR and home massage might comment.
A year or two ago, doug53 blogged here about his ultra-fast post-op protocol that included vibrator massage. He also briefly discussed some evidence that it speeds healing (maybe in rats?). It’s all here, just go to doug53’s blog and read it
I have been doing deep tissue massage along my scar area since week 4. Although, now I don’t do much unless Im really stiff late in the evening. I definitely believe it lead to less adhesions/scarring in the affected area. BTW for the first few weeks I did this 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes.