10 1/2 weeks - more walking and skinny calf!
Mini update at week 10 and a half (although there is not too much different to report…).
I walked into town and back yesterday, unbooted / without a stick, which was the longest walk I’ve done for a while (was out for about 2 hours) and have to say that I felt a bit wobbly in both legs about half way through. Did think about getting a taxi back but just took it slow and steady and was fine. It involved a lot of downhill on the way in and uphill on the way back, but I negotiated both ok with only a brief sideways positioning of the bad foot at one point when it got really steep (as I didn’t want to stress the tendon too much). So I feel it was an achievement and although it ached a bit in the evening it was fine this morning.
Elevating is still important as I was out Tuesday night (in the boot) and had my leg down all evening and when I got home I would swear that my bad foot was twice the size of the other! (slight exaggeration but it was noticeably puffy), but it quickly went down when I elevated. I also find that my bad leg gets really cold at times - does anyone else?
Ankle still feels very tight, but reading other blogs at around this stage that seems normal, and it does feel looser after I have done the towel strengthening exercises. Have been doing more seated calf raises with my weight on my knees in order to help my standing double calf raises, and I am getting a little higher off the ground with those (although most of the work is still being done by my good leg and its obviously nothing like normal height on the bad). Am trying to believe that a little bit of muscle is coming back but the bad calf is still incredibly skinny, but that is just going to take exercise, time and patience!
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anniel, it must have felt liberating to get out and about sans boot–almost like normal again! I’m still looking forward to walking without a boot, but I understand that it will be “baby steps” at first and, perhaps, for some time afterwards, too. Funny you should mention the cold; just yesterday as I was doing my 2nd round of daily ROM and core exercises, I noticed that the toes on my left (affected) foot were cold (as compared to my good foot). That’s the first time I’ve noticed that, but I’ll keep a closer eye on it going forward. Keep progressing and keep reporting! -David
hi david - it is great being able to move around without the boot, and to be building up a little more speed/confidence.. you’ll soon be there
interesting you’ve felt the cold too - its weird - wonder if its because the blood flow isn’t as good as the muscles aren’t helping as much there???
(am trying to load a photo - and following all the steps you posted - but cannot get the size right (it keeps filling up the entire page!) so will have to keep experimenting…)
anniel, I had the same problem with posting a photo. I ended up using Google’s Picasa photo software to re-size the image. However, goldman posted on my blog that there’s an easier way: after the inserted HTML code for the picture add the following: width = “xxx” (where xxx is the width of the picture; I’d start with 300). I haven’t tried this myself yet, so can’t vouch for it with certainty, but it’s worth a try. Here’s the example he provided:
img src=”achillesblog.com/goldman/files/2014/05/driving-home-from-work-_1.jpg” width=”300″
I think KellyGirl also posted a newer version of Chocolata’s instructions, on her blog. I’ve stayed away from posting images myself…
Sounds like great progress!
I would skew my op foot out to laterally a little going uphill for a good while. It just naturally, as it healed, went back to normal when I walked uphill. I actually just noticed the other day when we were golfing.
I did it - resized the picture in iPhoto - and it worked… Looking at it I almost don’t want to have posted it, but will be good to keep a record as hopefully as the weeks go by I will be able to post a picture of a ‘fatter’ right leg!
Thanks…
And Janis thanks for letting me know that you did the same with your foot for a while - but aren’t any more - it is good to know other people’s progress who are ahead
Anniel, I’m glad you were able to post your photo–gives all of us behind you in recovery encouragement and motivation to see you looking good in “2-shoes” again! While I can see the calf size difference, it’s because you pointed it out and I’m looking for it. If I saw you on the street, I’m sure I wouldn’t notice it at all. And, it’s only going to get better from here on out! -David
Aw, so nice of you
Sounds and looks good. Welcome to the non-symmetrical calf club. Mine looked very similar early on. The size may not all come back but at least you will very likely have full function. That’s the important thing!
Anniel - I know this is coming in a bit late but I am not here as much anymore. Remember at the stage you are at calf raises are actually more about the going down than the going up. Going up on your good and transferring some of the weight to the bad as you go down in a slow controlled manner. It is good to read your progress and the walking you are doing is fantastic. Try to keep you steps at a pace and length so you do not limp and you will walk further. The swelling will eventually go away and the calf will return.
Thank you for that tip re the calf raises Stuart - that makes it seem a little more hopeful as the going up on the bad just isn’t happening yet…
Does the tightness go away too? As the back of my ankle still feels incredibly tight at times especially towards the end of the day…
I measure my calf a month ago at 9 months after trying on a dress and seeing the big difference. It was still 1 1/2 inches smaller!! That is 1/2 inch growth in all this time, even with lower body weights. Shocked me, but I decided it was the least of my problems. Your walk sounds fabulous. Just be careful you do not do too much. A setback is never fun.
Anniel - sorry again for being late with a reply to your question. I have been dealing with a bicep tendon rupture and now looks like surgery tomorrow. There is not much of a non surgical option for me as it appears the tendon has torn from the bone. Regarding your tightness - It will be like that way for some time to come, probably until you can walk without swelling, but deep massage around your tendon and ankle will help. Better doing the massage before exercise so you are not having to rub through all the swelling.
Stuart - so sorry to hear about your bicep rupture and surgery! Hope it goes well - and that the recovery period isn’t as long as ATR…
And thank you for coming back and replying to my question - its good to know that the tightness is a normal thing at this point…
Good luck tomorrow…
My PT suggested that most of the stiffness around this time is probably not due to the achilles tear itself, but from having it immobilized and needing to retrain everything around it.
Also, from what I’ve read, swelling is really different for everyone at that stage. But you shouldn’t have to worry about the swelling due to the injury. At that point its from general blood and fluids pooling down there due to lack of muscle contraction to send it back up to the heart. Ice might not be necessary, just elevation.
I know this is a few years too late Anniel, haha but anyway I am 14 weeks post Achilles rupture and couldn’t help but share similarities with regards to the injured leg feeling cold at times ! Certainly have noticed that . My ankle mobility is also bad but has improved immensely over the past 3 weeks with physio and hydrotherapy. I was negative 9 cm when I first performed the knee to wall stretch and 3 weeks of plugging along at that excercise several times a day I am now positive 1 cm.
I still also get swollen foot and leg usually towards end of the day but it seems to go down as soon as I elevate my leg on a bed or couch.