Happy New Year to Me
Yeah, Happy New Year to me :( On Jan. 2nd, 2009 my wife and I decided to do a “family day” with our 1 yr. old son. Long story short….I ended up pushing forward on a very low pressure resistant contraption. Once I hit my max, I eased up and went to stand up straight again. As I stood I heard a very loud pop, immediately got light headed and went down. I was able to get back up immediately. I was also able to walk, but it felt as though was walking on air on my right foot. I knew something was wrong, but wasn’t quite sure what it was. I knew it was a tendon, just didn’t realize which one. They confirmed a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon of my right leg at the ER.
As mentioned in my bio, I am an avid golfer. Not a good golfer, but I am an avid golfer. If you play, you know how much more painful this injury is. Anyway, as I fell to the ground that fateful Friday afternoon I had several visions of the lush golf course that I was due to play during our trip to Hawaii in February. Our anniversary is actually today, her birthday is at the end of January and my birthday is mid February. We planned a 10 day trip to Hawaii this February to cover our anniversary and birthdays. Needless to say, that has been postponed.
We have a very active 1 yr. old son who loves to play. Having one leg immobilized makes it impossible to engage in nearly any activity with him. He’s walking / running and constantly moving and all I can do is watch :(
The last setback that I’ll write about is the fact that I cannot travel for several months. I am a Managing Director at a Consulting company on Wall St. in NYC, which requires extensive travel. Face time with clients is extremely important. Looks as though I will have little, if any, face time logged with any client for the first quarter of 2009.
Ok, now that I’m done crying about it…….lets move to the positive. I am now 6 days post-op. My goal is to be back playing with my son, playing golf and visiting clients by May of ‘09. May is my realistic month. My doc said that April is a possibility, but May is much more likely. So, I still have 4 days of immobilization. Still experiencing some pretty severe pains shooting from my inner ankle all the way up to my knee. Guess thats to be expected. Hopefully pain will subside soon and doc will give me clearance to begin rehab within the next few weeks. Slated for a follow-up on Thurs. 1/22. Will update then. Now its off to the land of Vicodin. 
denny Said,
January 13, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
I just learned how to play golf recently - 62 years ago to be exact - so I feel your pain (no pun intended). I had my surgery in November and am doing very well. As far as golf is concerned, my surgeon says that I can play when I feel ready. That will be awhile yet as I refuse to return until I feel my game is close to where it was when I had to quit (4.6 handicap index). My only advice to you is to not rush it, give yourself plenty of time to heal properly. The golf courses will still be there when you’re ready. Good luck in your recovery.
Denny
bairdyt Said,
January 13, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
I have just reached the 8 week mark and like you need to travel extensively for my job as COO of an export company. I am now able to walk with a pronounced limp but can drive a car and generally get around. I am also able to get on planes again and able to travel. I had an agressive therapy after my atr without surgery. I am 42 years of age and not fit. So my advice is go hard and aim for the end of March. I am proof this is possible. All the best.
Daren Said,
January 19, 2009 @ 7:02 am
Recently ruptured my left achilles on Tuesday, Jan 13th and had surgery on Jan 16th. The first couple of days post op were worst than then the 2 days post injury. I guess a step back to take a two forward. I’m an avid golfer as well and recently scrapped a early April trip, but I am hoping to be teeing it up mid May - giving it 16 weeks. But first thing is first - can’t wait for this cast to be removed! I’m sure you feel the same way.
Happy recovery!
Daren
Keith Said,
January 19, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Thanks for the comments guys. I am now 12 days post-op. Based on what I’ve read and heard, surgery was the way to go, but I do agree with you Darren. The post-op pain was definitely greater than the pain of the injury. For those of you contemplating surgery, don’t let that statement discourage you. The post-op pain for me was only bad for about 24 hours. It really wasn’t even that long because the pain meds worked really well.
The pain truly was a non-issue and by day 3 or 4 there was no pain at all. I’m just getting a bit stir crazy. For a guy who is out of the house for anywhere from 10 to 16 hours a day this the sitting still and resting is torture. I know that there are worse things than sitting with your feet up for 2 weeks and being waited on hand and ‘foot’
But, this lifestyle is not for me. I am a true workaholic and I’m going through withdraw.
Dr. has me in a splint for 2 weeks. This coming Thurs. I go in for a cast that I’ll have to wear for 2 weeks. After that I’ll have to wear that bulky boot for 3 to 4 months according to the doc. We initially set a return to travel at about 8 weeks post-op, which will be 3/7/09. We set a return to the golf course at 16 weeks, which will be mid April. My complete goal is to participate fully in my annual golf outting with 6 good friends who have agreed to postpone our trip (normally in April) to late May.
andykap68 Said,
January 19, 2009 @ 11:39 am
Hey Keith, I’m 11 days out from surgery myself at HJD in NYC. Very similar experience, mine was on the basketball court in the NYC lawyer’s league three days before Fla vacation with the kids. AARGH - there went golf, tennis, basketball on vacation and two days at Disney on a scooter! Mine’s a partial tear closer to the calf, so they put me in the boot the day I left and told me to be careful (between vacation and the holiday season it took about 4 weeks to get evaluated, mri’s, book surgery, etc). But I’m 40 and active, so both sports med opinions recommended surgery. So I was in boot for just under 4 weeks and now in splint for last two. I’m going bananas! My poor wife and kids - it’s like I’m not part of the family unless they’re catering to my needs. The den sofa has my permanent imprint embedded on it and my partners keep asking when I’ll be returning to work (I truly have no idea but have been working from home on the laptop)!
Anyway, just wanted to commisserate. Good luck at your 1st post-op visit this week. Mine’s wednesday and I’m hoping I’ll go straight back into boot and skip cast since I only had partial tear. I agree first 24-48 hours was worst, although i get some pretty intense, intermittent numbness in left side of my left (bad) foot. wondering if anyone else has experienced that? Good luck reaching your May goal - hope to be hitting my stride right alongside you!
eclass Said,
January 19, 2009 @ 11:48 am
Daren:
Hang in there I fel the same way I am always on the go golfing hanging out in NYC so sitting inthe house drove me crazy. thank goodness for email and the Wii I think I mastered alll the games from the chair. I am 18 weeks post op and 12 weeks into therapy. Its gets better over time. The worst part for me was using the bathroom The way the cast was fitted and my vanity in front of the toilet I could not sit on the bowl so we had to get a potty seat. Geez how embarrasing having to have my wife empty that thing out. During the day my mom stopped by to keep and eye on me so that was no fun having to call her to empty it out either.
The worst pain will be when you go to PT and the give you the deep message brought tears to my eyes each time thank goodness my face was in the pillow. It will smooth out the scar tissue around the scar. Now it doesn’t hurt at all. I am back to working out and hitting the driving range to get my swing together.
I had surgery on Sept 12 and the first time I went in 2 shoes was Thanksgiving. We took my mom to see Tina Turner. The week before thanksgiving I went to a giants game, what a mistake too many people and too much walking my ankle was sore for two days. Take your time but you will get back and go to therapy!
eclass Said,
January 19, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
To Happy new Year:
Believe me I know the feeling, I ruptured my achilles a few days before my birthday on September 5th.My birthday is the 7th, so I missed out on the labor day plans to Puerto Rico that we attend every year plus a wonderful celbration at this nice club call Buddahkan in NYC. I also worked on Wall Street (55 Broad) as a consultant. I was woking from home for a while until the market crashed and was laid off.
So now I have one leg and no job! Just stay off of your foot keep it elevated and hang in there. I wish I had Vicodin they gave me Oxycotin and the stuff constipated me to no end. The worst part was I had to use a potty seat to boot because of the design of my bathroom.
You will be back on your feet in April but forget about playing golf until May or June like your doctor says. Also, go to physical therapy it really helps. try the vitamin e oil to help your scar heal, it worked well for me. You can barely see my scar. Good luck and be thankful at least you are still working! Enough sobbing I have to get back to sending pout my resume.
Keith Said,
January 23, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
16 days post - op. I went yesterday to have the splint removed and the cast set. Two things. I didn’t realize until the splint was removed that I actually had 2 surgeries / incisions. In addition to the completely ruptured A.T. I had another tendon on my inner ankle which was dislocated. Doc opened me up on the side of my ankle as well to reset the tendon. Two huge ugly scars.
Strange, but the AT doesn’t hurt at all. Not even when they set my foot to neutral. I could feel the stretch, but it didn’t hurt. That 2nd incision is what hurt like hell.
Anyway, I thought that I’d be able to go back to the office today (Fri.), since I have the hard cast now, but they said 48 more hours of bed rest w/leg elevated above my heart. (Hopefully I will be back in on Monday).
Second strange thing was their telling me “No Physical Therapy” at all. They said that they’d rather I exercise and work at my own pace once I’m able to bare weight on my rt. foot. (I’m wondering if anyone else was ever given these instructions.) Their reasoning was that they didn’t want a therapist stretching my tendon too much causing it to re-rupture.
Either way, 2 more weeks in this cast. Then 3 months in the boot. I’m on my way. Think I will set my tee time for May now.
Oh yeah, I haven’t used my rt. leg for nearly a month. My calf muscle is now the size of my 14 month old son’s.
kris Said,
January 24, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
Keith,
I didn’t rupture my tendon, but rather had a reconstructive type surgery involving my achilles and other tendons in need of repair. I had eight incisions in all. I put the pics on this page under achilles surgery and flat foot pics. I wondered if the extra incision you had might have been your FHL tendon? They debrided my achilles and harvested the FHL tendon and attached it to what was left of the achilles, sort of a transplant if you will. I was also told by my surgeon that he would not order PT unless I requested it because he feels that therapists can be too aggressive and ruin all his good work. At first I didn’t feel good about this decision, but after thinking over past PT sessions, I’m now inclined to agree. How is your pain now? . I am still leery about putting any real weight on my foot but I guess it is still early yet. Hope your recovery goes well, keep us posted and keep the faith.
Kris
Keith Said,
January 25, 2009 @ 9:41 am
19 days post-op. No pain at all in the Achilles. Still some tenderness in the second incision, but nothing major. According t the docs, staying in bed with my leg elevated has helped a great deal.
Ready to head back to the office tomorrow. Just have to keep my leg up on a chair.
The Cast is MUCH better than the splint was. A bit tighter, but alot less bulky and easier to move around with. 1.5 more weeks to go until the boot. Well on my way down the road of recovery.
For those of you who are going in for surgery or have just had it, don’t worry. Being immobile can drive you stir crazy, but the time does pass fairly well. Just keep your “survival pack” handy:
1. Internet. 2. 24 hr. News (I am a political expert now). 3. Law & Order (I’m a legal expert now too.) 4. Golf Channel (Still suck at golf). 5. Phone w/list of at least 7 people (1 to call and annoy daily over the course of the week). 6. Playstation / Wii, or X-box 7. NetFlix.
Will update again when I switch out into the boot.
Keith Said,
January 29, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Back at Work!
9am, Not looking to them removing the rest of my stitches, but I am looking forward to the boot and being another week closer to bearing weight on my right leg again.
Never thought I’d be so happy to be in the office. Came back on Mon. 1/26, which put me at 19 days post-op.
If you have a job that allows you to sit at a desk and have a relatively short commute to work…..go! It has helped pass the time tremendously. It’s also helped me sleep much better. I’m actually tired at night now. Not restless. The moving around and getting outside has definitely picked my spirits back up. Seems like the injury took place months ago.
Cast comes off Tues.
I really didn’t realize how far I had slumped in spirit until I got out and back to work for a few days.
Everybody in the early stages, keep your head up! Time seems to pass by slowly, but it does pass and you’re up and mobile before you know it.
12 weeks to golf!
-Keith
Keith Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 11:56 am
FREEDOM! My bright orange cast was removed yesterday. Felt great to be able to move my foot in any direction I desired. Felt even better to be able to submerge my leg in the bathtub for the first time in over a month. Also felt great to sleep with nothing on my leg except for an ankle support sleeve.
The muscles in my leg are all but gone, but I’ve been assurred that they will rebuild over next few months. I just finished week 4. Starting week 5. They’ve put me in the Cam Walker, but I’m still not allowed to apply any weight to the right foot. Doc stressed and stressed again that I must wear the boot anytime I want to move. (even if its just a few feet). Otherwise I can sleep and / or sit without it.
They said that 2 weeks from now I can start to bear up to 40 lbs of weight on the right foot (what the heck does 40lbs of my own weight feel like?) Guess I’ll have to figure it out.
Not due for the next follow-up for 6 more weeks. At which point, I am supposed to be full weight bearing, but still on crutches.
Now, I know that I should be thankful that I’m in the Cam Walker, but I’m already anxious to be rid of this big clunky thing.
I just want my leg and ability to walk back.
Since I’ve been back to work time does seem to moving by much faster. I’m sure that by the next time I post I will be full weight bearing and walking.
More to come in late Feb. ‘09.
Good luck everyone!
Daren Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
Great post, Keith and very good news.. 19 days post here. 3 more weeks until I am out of the cast and then 6 more weeks of the CAM walker. What can you tell me about the CW? I’m going to pick mine up in a couple weeks in preparation of my Feb 26th cast removal. Easy on, easy off? Sounds like your Dr. is very conservative about the weight bearing. I was told that I will be using the crutches initially with the walker, but within 7-10 days (will be 7 + weeks post) I should be full weight bear. That is the day I have circled bigtime on my calendar. Until then I’ll just relax and bide my time.
Happy healing all.
Keith Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
Thanks Daren,
The Cam Walker is bulky, but it is MUCH better than a cast or splint because it is removable. You can take it off and wash your leg. I think I spent over an hour in the tub. Felt great to finally wash my shriveled up leg. I can already tell that its going to be very strange actually walking in the Cam, but I’ll take walking in that over walking on crutches and in a cast any day. Doc also gave me permission to sit on the couch, etc. without it.
Even though it is bulky, you can feel that it is protecting your Achilles well. I have a feeling that I’ll end up getting used to it in the next few days.
I guess my doc is a bit conservative. What I’ve come to understand in all of my research on this injury is that treatment protocols differ greatly based on the severity of the injury, patient age, and general post-op progression.
I’m in pretty good shape and have been healing well, but the doc still wants to take a conservative approach. Even though I likely could fully bear weight sooner than 8 wks, he’d rather move me along in 2 week intervals so that I don’t get too far ahead of myself and risk a re-rupture.
For a corny golf metaphor: The first to get on the green doesn’t always win the hole. Slow & steady.
Landyzner Said,
February 5, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
I am relieved to have found this site- it is comforting to know my experiences are not abnormal. You have made an excellent point “that treatment protocols differ greatly”.
My first research revealed “new” surgical techniques, immediate weight bearing or shorter “healing” time and I became discouraged. I got the idea everyone had a shorter cast, wore it for less time and was immediately on their feet. This site and these blogs have greatly contributed to a much better and realistic attitude.
I am 58 years old and had surgery on 12/23/2008 for a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon and have had no weight bearing since. At 5 weeks post-op, I went into a cam boot from an above the knee fiberglass cast. Although I must sleep with it on, it is a big improvement . The MD told me I will be in the cam boot for approximately 4 weeks.
At 6 weeks post-op (yesterday), the angle was adjusted from 45 to 30 degrees. Progress! Most of today has been trouble free and we shall see what evening brings.
Inflammation has been the enemy. Has this been anyone else’s complaint?
I have come to find that each day makes a difference. Lack of mobility is and remains a tough nut. I have respect and admiration for everyone whose impairment is not temporary.
Keith Said,
February 16, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
6 weeks post-op and hobbling out to dinner for my birthday.
Doc gave me clearance for PWB. 60lbs this week. FWB in 2 more weeks. I definitley see and feel progress. Tendon is still tight, but the flexing excersises prescribed by doc are helping. Tape over the incision has come off and I’ve got to give Kudos to the surgeon. Can barely see a scar and he performed open surgery.
I do feel a burn along the outside of my ankle from time to time and pain in the bottom of my heel when I stand, but both have gradually become less and less intense.
I feel great and want to try to walk without crutches, but Im going to play it smart and stick with the crutches for the next 2 weeks. Should be FWB at 8 weeks and hopefully able to ditch the crutches.
Anyone else in that 6-8 week post-op period off crutches?
Also, is there anyone who is closer to 9 - 12 weeks who has found Rehab place that thy would highly recommend.
Happy Healing everybody!
-Keith
creaky Said,
February 16, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Hi Kieth
Happy B-Day. It sounds as if we are at the same stage of our recoveries. I too am 6 weeks post-op and was just cleared for PWB. I wasn’t given any specific amount I could bear on it and, as you said, how do you determine what 60 lbs feels like. I did get a bit too ambitious and did some walking with 1 crutch, not ready for that yet as I experienced the heel pain you refered to. So today I used both and it was much better.
My incision has healed nicely as well and my repair required a tendon transfer.
I felt my surgeon was being way conservative after reading many of the posts here but I would rather heal properly than risk a setback. So it’s good for me to realise that a slow recovery is appropriate in some cases. I’m supposed to transition to FWB at week 8 with PT begining then.
It sounds like you are looking at the 8 to 9 week mark to start therapy.
Where did you have your surgery?
I’m a 56 yr old runner and cyclist and I would be happy as a clam if I’m ready to get out on the bike by June with running to follow whenever. We shall see. The bottom line is the body will heal at it’s own pace. You sound as if you are approaching this with a positive attitude. Really the only wat togo
Thanks
Bob
jeffinns1 Said,
February 17, 2009 @ 8:20 am
Hi Keith
Happy Birthday. It sounds like we are on similar protocols except that I am at 9 weeks post-op and am just transitioning to FWB. I had the same pain on the outside of the ankle, usually when tired or after PT. My therapist told me that it is another tendon that has shrunk from inactivity. Feels much beter now after a few PT sesions.
- Jeff
Keith Said,
February 17, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Thank you all for your comments on this blog. Its truly been helpful from a morale and mental standpoint. Based on what everyone here has written and what I’ve read throughout the internet, it really seems like everyone recovers in roughly the same amount of time (give or take a week or two), everyone experiences roughly the same types of recovery pains (burning on the outside of the ankle, heel pain, tightness in the achilles, etc.) and everyone has the same milestone time markers in 2 week intervals.
I’m going to continue to post my progress on this site hoping to keep up as many people’s spirits as well as my own.
Slow going but the clock is still ticking. Next milestone: 8 weeks post. Will be there in 2 weeks. Hope to report significant progress by then.
-Keith
Daren Said,
February 18, 2009 @ 8:46 am
Happy belated, Keith. Sounds like things are progressing as expected. 5 week post on Friday for me - will finally get the cast removed in 8 days. Can’t wait. Sounds like I’ll have to taper my expectation of FWB within a week after the boot. I guess I should have expected since at that point it will be 7 weeks of pretty much zero weight bear. Will need to ease into it.
-Daren
Keith Said,
March 21, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
No more crutches!
10 1/2 wks post-op. Achilles and leg both feel much stronger than I expected. Doc gave me clearance to ditch the crutches this week. Hooray!!!! Then he crushed my happiness by telling me that I have to keep my lovely boot on for another 6 weeks. So, I get to sport the boot throughout the month of April. 5.5 wks to go.
The tendon still feels very tight, but is definitely stronger. Feels strong enough to walk on and excercise, but Doc said that this is “the most dangerous time” in the healing process because the tendon feels strong to the patient, but its still not fully healed. He insists that I’m not out of the woods until sometime in May or June. He’s got me on a 20 week schedule for recovery.
All in all, recovery is still very slow, but it is steady. I definitely feel much better and am more and ore mobile every day. Speaking of which, I’ve mastered driving my car with my left foot. Not as hard as you might think.
Temp. outside is getting much nicer, I may just have to hobble out to the golf course with 3 or 4 clubs, my left golf shoe and my monstorous boot.
Next update will be the day this boot come off!
-Keith