My outpatient surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles occurred March 19, 2012, eleven days after the injury. No problems arose during the operation, and I was sent home two hours after it was completed.
With bandages wrapped around a splint on my left leg, the doctor instructed to place no weight on the leg whatsoever, use crutches to move around when necessary, elevate the leg above the heart, take the pain medication when you need it, and to revisit him 10 days after the surgery. Well, 10 days is tomorrow and I visit the doctor for the first time post-op. I have not experienced any pain since the day after surgery and have followed the instructions. I suspect everything is going according to plan.
The plan, by the way, involves a recovery period from 8-10 months, realistically. It may take a year to regain the previous physical condition of the leg and its muscles as well. That’s according to my doctor/surgeon, who knew he was giving me bad news when he discussed the recovery time table with me. I trust him and feel confident in his diagnoses. Unfortunately, I have read many instances where people have surgery and are walking with pain and without confidence 12 weeks, 15 weeks, even 20 weeks after surgery. I know every case is different, but as I learn more about the injury and read personal stories, the feeling that recovery from a rupture takes the majority of a year seems prevalent. The time frame is expansive, disappointing, and slaps you in the face. “I can’t walk normally for 8 months?” But these months will ensure a total recovery and are better than coming back too soon, like hockey player Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils did a few months ago, and risking re-rupture or an unfulfilling recovery.
From the start of this injury, I’ve hoped for the best and expected the worst. I’ve always been somewhat of a pessimist in these types of situations as to not allow myself to be disappointed when bad news is given, which, I guess, allows me to maintain optimism even in the worst circumstances. It seems like a contradiction, and it probably is, but it’s helped me understand quickly that this injury will take almost a year to recover from. Knowing and processing that has put me in a good frame of mind to tackle this without feeling sorry for myself or thinking I can cheat the recovery time frame somehow.
As a 26 year old, 8-10 months is a small period of time in life. I would rather take this time to heal properly than to rush back and experience pain. I encourage others to stick with it and remain optimistic for the long run no matter how difficult it may be.
3 responses so far ↓
ryanb // Mar 27th 2012 at 7:21 pm
Welcome Matt (guessing)-
I’m a lot farther along- yesterday marked 7 months post surgery. I would encourage you to keep the long term perspective. But, don’t get too pessimistic. When this first happened to me (end of August) I expected that I was losing almost a full year of “fun”. Turns out, I’ve had a pretty good ski season, did some racing on the speedskates, have been cycling, hiking, and everything else I like to do. I’m not 100% recovered, still lacking speed, strength, and fitness in some areas- but (for several months now) I’ve resumed a pretty normal - for me - activity level. My hope is that, in another 4 months, at 1 year, I’ll be back to full speed and strength.
With a disciplined recovery approach, you should certainly be walking normally sooner than 8 months. I’d say I was there - most days - around 4 months, or maybe even a bit earlier.
At 26, you’ve got a lot of factors in your favor that, augmented with a good rehab protocol, might have you back in action mid-summer.
Think of it as an 80/20 rule: you’ll have around 80% function after 20% of the time. The final 80% of the time will be spent regaining that last 20% of function.
Keep us all posted, and good luck!
ericbabula // Mar 27th 2012 at 11:23 pm
Matt - from what I’ve been reading, ryanb’s comments are pretty typical. Given you follow your doctor’s and PT’s directions, you should be walking much sooner than 8 months, even if it’s with a slight limp. You should also be able to do other things, like ride a bike, swim, hike, etc.
Before my surgery (Feb. 15), I told the doc that I had a trip coming up on Aug. 1, which will involve some hiking. He said that I should not cancel my trip, that “we’ll get you there”! That’s 5 1/2 months to be able to hike in the mountains! I’m about 6 weeks post surgery, and I’m confident that I’ll get there.
Listen to your doc and your PT. Do your ROM and strength exercises when the time comes. Don’t push too hard. You’ll get there, too!
bballmatt // Mar 28th 2012 at 11:52 am
Thanks, guys. Very encouraging to know from you progress is seen early on!
You must log in to post a comment.