All the uncertainty will drive you mad!!!
Posted on July 14th, 2008 in Uncategorized
About a week ago I decided to start doing some neglected chores around the house since I have been getting around so well. I wrapped my ankle and achilles with an ace bandage lightly to combat swelling and went out to get leaves off the driveway with a leaf blower. I did real well and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. When I removed the ace I noticed that my wrapped leg was much less swolen than usual and when I run my hand down the back of the leg you can feel several inconsistancies in the tendon. Like ridges but some are bigger than others. The biggest is where the ATR occured and seems almost like a void that they tell you you can see after you first diagnose ATR. It really scared me and I took it easy for the rest of the weekend. I still feel it getting stronger everyday but the tendon seems smaller there now. Maybe Im just being paraniod but we all know we dont want to go thru this again.
My question to all is after your swelling is no longer a problem and you can feel the tendon does the tendon feel uniform? Are there ridges and even places that are thinner and almost a void. Thanks in advance.
July 14th, 2008 2:16 pm
My ankle swells up really bad now that i’m walking. I just try to keep it up a bit at work, then fully elevate and ice when I get home. My scar/tendon were perfectly smooth until I started wearing a shoe. Now I have a little bump. I get blisters. this weekend I wore a pair of flip flops (they’re thick squishy ones with an arch…made by Reef) to try to let it heal up. Blister’s gone but I still have the slight bump and its still swollen.
damacar
July 14th, 2008 2:40 pm
I think you’d have to see your doc to get an accountable opinion, but I am seeing what sounds like the same thing. My tendon (or more exactly, the tissue around my tendon I think) is a little extra fat or swollen at the top and the bottom of the scar, but nearly normal near the center where the rupture happened. It also feels pretty uneven palpitating up and down either side of the scar, especially dorsal. But I have seen my orthopedic and my first 2 pt sessions since I’ve noticed this, and none of them have shown the slightest concern about this. Also, some of the older posts, Dennis I think, have some pics that show some fairly uneven areas of swelling.
When I’m getting worried about it, several times a day for me now, I put a little tension on the tendon and flex while palpitating that depressed area of my tendon, and can feel a thick firm tendon underneath. It’s at least twice as thick as my good one. I’ll try to post with a pic soon.
I’m a week behind, so I have no idea when these issues go away, but I bet it’s uncertain. Sorry about that, couldn’t help it.
July 14th, 2008 3:38 pm
I am at week 9 and like damacar, I have a bump there now when everything used to be nice and smooth. You are using your foot now and the tendon gets irritated because you are working it. Ice it more often and keep it elevated a couple times a day. This is a long process and very irritating..
July 14th, 2008 4:36 pm
Boffo
I experienced quite deep ridges in my achilles and freaked right out!
The surgeon came and examined my tendon (6 weeks post op) and told me the ridges were inconsistencies in the scar tissue.
I didnt really believe him, certain that I had re-torn my achilles, however I am now at week 11 and the ridges have completely disappeared!
So dont stress!!