Thank you to all of you participants
I have joined the club– My name is Larry–real estate attorney in South Florida-54- injured while playing racquetball–09-22-09–felt like ceiling fell on my achilles-no ceiling, thought opponent whacked me with racquet or stepped on me– down on the floor– completely ruptured– mri next day –almost 3 cm. gap in tendon– surgery next night-09-23-09–not mentally ready– had no idea what to expect– very athletic– never injured- not patient- not a good patient–negotiated with Doctor to skip cast– right into boot or splint– placed in splint tightly wrapped– stupidly did not elevate following day- severe pain– took meds day 1 post op–researched online–could get really depressed with reality– need positive attitude–reading about others helps– realize that this too shall pass but MUST be very careful to not re-rupture–accidents happen– but BE CAREFUL–and don’t rush -EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT–DOCTORS ARE DIFFERENT– PROTOCOLS ARE DIFFERENT–you must listen to your body– i believe you must eat right–and sleep right– i bought supplements–vit c,fish oil, glucosamine, multi– my right foot- not supposed to drive– bought a motorized scooter for mobility–kept elevated above heart-post op-day 2,3,4 and 5–bought chair for shower– garbage bags on leg so as not to get wet– EVERYTHING IS DIFFICULT—- MEDITATED- to get centered– stopped pain meds on day 3–difficult to sleep–POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS CRITICAL–LOTS and lots of online reading and learning–lots of questions–looking into different boots– so far i like vacoped???any comments on this boot– still not sure about when to start pwb and rehab– like articles that suggest sooner than later-but be careful–still do not understand why some people are casted for so long?? especially in equinas position??10 degrees??? would love to hear from you– we can all be positive together–Larry
Filed under: Uncategorized and
- doing all the right things -
BUT slow down - key word: patience…
Equinus position lets the tendons connect and heal without tension applied to them - may take 6 weeks to heal so that is why most doctors seem to prefer non weight bearing for that duration - especially for us middle aged folk - though the surgeons sutures keep the tendon together that is not enough, the tissue itself has to reconnect, too.
At least in Florida the weather is still pleasant, enjoy it in a deck chair and elevate!
Larry, take a breath! If you live your life like you write then you are going to have to make some major ajustments! Just like 2ndtimer says, you have to be patient. You can do loads to make life easier and more convenient for the next weeks and months (yes, months) but you can’t rush an AT healing. The sooner you get your head around that and relax a bit the better it will be. So, yes, get the deck chair out and some good books, explain the situation to friends and colleagues and enjoy this unscheduled holiday. PWB and FWB all in good time, but for the first few weeks less is more.
Smoley
Wow— Smoley– thanks for your message– It seems like you know me as that would be the advice from a close friend or loved one– I am not very patient– I have a great attitude– will never ever complain– will be grateful for everything and make the best of every situation– BUT will try my hardest to do everything possible to heal quickly WHILE BEING VERY VERY CAREFUL NOT TO RE-RUPTURE– I am confused about your situation– your blog says you are about 34 days post op but the marathon says 01-09—- OHHHHHHH– YOU ARE BRITISH–YOU NEED TO CHANGE TO 09-01 — IS THAT when you had surgery??– Anyway–best of luck to you–THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS– hope you heal quickly–Larry
Larry- an explanation for some of the differences in the time frames that you’ll encounter here is the difference in health systems in the US vs Canada and the UK. Like you, I had surgery the day following my injury. Unfortunately, some of our counterparts in other countries may not get to the OR for 7-10 or more days. It also seems that in the UK they favor casts over splints and that the casts are kept on much longer. As Smoley said, there are certain things that you can’t rush - esp if you want to get back to where you were pre-injury.