Six Months On……

Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by cactus
It is now six months since my tendon ruptured.
 
I was treated conservatively in various casts for 10 weeks then a heel raise on one of my shoes which i had to wear whenever i had my weight on my foot for a further four weeks.
 
I am happy to say my tendon seems to have healed ok, a bit thicker than my good tendon and still keeping my fingers crossed and being careful but it feels ok.
I am getting physiotherapy mainly focusing on single heels raises, my calf muscle was not as bad as i thought it would be after being in a cast but they are still not identical and it’s still weaker than my good leg. I can get a few single heels raises from it, not as good as my good leg but it is slowly coming.
 
I have been doing a lot of walking to try to build it up naturally and regularly do around 8 Km (5 Miles) with some hill walking too.
 
The only problem i have is in the morning my tendon can be a little stiff, the same if i sit for a while but a stretch and a few twists of the ankle and it eases off.
 
The Physiotherapist has had me doing some light jogging on the treadmill and had me on one of those small trampolines, i was a little hesitant to be honest but apparently there is a higher rate of the dreaded re******* (i don’t even want to write that word) in the three months after the cast is removed so i gave it a go, jogging lightly for about a minute at a time but still being very careful.
 
The NHS in the UK sometimes takes a bit criticism but i was lucky and received good treatment and would like to thank everyone at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh who helped with my treatment, especially Jake and Toby.
 
There is a lot of questions asking which is the best treatment for an ATR. The only experience i have had is of course the conservative way which seems to have been ok for me, the only thing i will say is my leg was in a cast within 4 hours of my rupture and that may have helped greatly.

Filed under: Uncategorized and

2 Responses to “Six Months On……”

  1. robert, on October 4th, 2009 at 12:06 am Said:

    I get the morning stiffness also. But it seems to gradually fade every week. Try using a massager if you’ve got one. That helps alot.

  2. sam66, on October 4th, 2009 at 12:14 pm Said:

    Hi Cactus,
    So glad all is going well for you.
    It was on yours and Annie’s advice that I sought my second opinion so quickly after NHS A&E misdiagnosed me - thank you both so much - recovery is long enough without any lengthy delays.
    It’s also good to hear the NHS don’t always get it wrong!
    Sam

Leave a Reply

*
To prove you're a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture.
Anti-Spam Image

Powered by WP Hashcash

« On the Mend

  • Achillesblog - Updated Posts

    • Check out AchillesBlog.com T-shirts.

    •   

      ATR Marathon Page

  • Recent Comments

  • sam66 | October 4th, 2009 | 12:14 pm

    Hi Cactus,
    So glad all is going well for you.
    It was on yours and Annie’s advice that I sought my second opinion so quickly after NHS A&E misdiagnosed me - thank you both so much - recovery is long enough without any lengthy delays.
    It’s also good to hear the NHS don’t always get it wrong!
    Sam

  • robert | October 4th, 2009 | 12:06 am

    I get the morning stiffness also. But it seems to gradually fade every week. Try using a massager if you’ve got one. That helps alot.

  • debbie | July 14th, 2009 | 2:08 pm

    Hi guys
    Looks like i’ve got a way to go despite being in a plaster cast for the past 8 weeks. Back to hosp tomorrow so that they can fit a removeable cast which I have been promised as I am going on hols to Portugal on Saturday with the family. I am desperate to put weight on my foot but I know I have to take my time.
    will let you know how I get on, in the meantime I have to hop along to the dentist with my children :-)
    Debs

  • sam66 | July 14th, 2009 | 9:31 am

    Thanks Cactus.
    Well, one step at a time as everyone keeps saying(!). May have to reconsider things when I get to that stage. Used to being able to do a brisk walk everywhere, and would’ve thought nothing of an hour walk from Uni to London Bridge station before this.
    Glad things are going well for you.
    Sam

  • cactus | July 13th, 2009 | 11:10 pm

    trisportgirl & jberton

    When i got rid of my AirCast my calf muscle was hanging down when i lifted my leg but after four weeks it has improved very much, still a bit to go before they are identical but they are getting there.

  • cactus | July 13th, 2009 | 11:00 pm

    Hi Sam,

    The heel raise i have got is one of my own shoes, i had to take a shoe to the hospital where they fitted a heel.

    At first when i was walking i would feel a pulling sensation on my calf and i would say that’s enough for today but yesterday i walked for 3.5 km with a slight limp.

    The only problem i have is my ankle swells a little so when i get home i just raise it for a while but the Doctor did not seem concerned about this.

    Hope your recovery is coming along fine.

  • jberton31 | July 13th, 2009 | 10:26 pm

    I concur with trisportgirl - the atrophy of the calf is kind of scary. My right leg looks like it belongs to my 5′1″, 105 lb wife and I am 6′ 220 lbs. Looking forward to being able to do calf raises one of these months so I can get my old leg back.

  • sam66 | July 13th, 2009 | 10:07 pm

    Hi Cactus,
    Can I ask how far/well you were able to walk with the boot/heel raises?
    I’ve still got another 8 weeks in casts before I get to that stage, but it’ll be the new term at work by then and my uni course a few weeks later.
    Happy to take it easy for now in the hope I’ll be able to return to normal then.
    Sam

  • trisportgirl | July 13th, 2009 | 9:53 pm

    Cactus, you’re lucky! My calves seriously look like they belong to two different people. My PT says that the muscle is there and all we need to do is get it back in shape. I look at her and think she’s crazy.

  • sam66 | July 1st, 2009 | 8:46 pm

    Sounds great - proving conservative route works too.

  • swill | July 1st, 2009 | 4:16 pm

    Congrats! Keep up the good work.

  • simond | June 16th, 2009 | 6:47 pm

    Hi Cactus

    I spoke to the physio about wearing the shoe around the house - he says it is better to do so during these early weeks and even if not ‘the shoe’ then any shoe with a heel is better than barefoot, or flip flops.

    I’m going with a private physio. The first NHS appointment I could get was almost a month from when I tried to get seen. I’m paying £35 per session, but expecting my BUPA cover to reimburse me.

    Si

  • cactus | June 15th, 2009 | 9:50 pm

    Thanks again Simon,

    I’ve been trying your exercises and they seem very simple but effective just to get your foot moving properly again.

    As i said before i was given some exercises to do but i think to Doctor didn’t want me to go to physio because they will probably want to stretch my tendon and i can imagine them pushing my foot back as far as it will go which at the moment will not be a great idea.

    let me know what your physio says about wearing the shoe around the house, will be interesting to find out.

    Are you getting private physio or is it still NHS ?

    Cheers again.

  • SimonD | June 15th, 2009 | 9:24 pm

    Hi Cactus

    Yes, I keep the shoes on for the exercises, just every now and again move around the house without them on, but will stop even that after your post until I check what the physio says tomorrow.

  • cactus | June 15th, 2009 | 9:09 pm

    Simon,

    Do you do the exercises with your heeled shoe on ??

    Thanks for the info mate.

    Cheers.

  • SimonD | June 15th, 2009 | 9:01 pm

    Hi Cactus

    So far I have two sets of exercises. Thie first is simply to get me walking properly, heel to toe. This involves me stepping back and forward on the good leg, while the stationary bad leg rocks from heel to toe. I do that for five mins, four times a day. The second is just to move the foot up and down, which I do whenever I am sat resting with the foot elevated. Nothing too onerous so far. I am pretty comfortable with the physio, he is director of PT at the Hampden Sports Clinic and seems pretty experienced in ATRs.

    I’ve also been swimming twice, nothing too strenuous.

  • cactus | June 15th, 2009 | 7:29 pm

    Hi Simon,

    Thanks for that.

    I was a little concerned as i had read your blog and knew you had physio but the Doctor seemed to think there was a danger of them stretching my tendon too much and the dreaded R word occurring. What exercises are you being given and are they stretching your tendon ?

  • SimonD | June 15th, 2009 | 7:12 pm

    Hi Cactus

    Good to hear you are out of the boot. Interesting that our treatments are differing now. I was out of the cast ten days ago and told to start physiotherapy. I have had one session with the physio and another tomorrow, will update with my experiences shortly.

    I am also in shoes with a heel stuck on - and am to wear them for six weeks. No-one warned me never to not wear them, so have been pottering around the house without the shoes sometimes - I’ll check what the PT says tomorrow.

    Good luck, continue the progress.

  • Archie | May 11th, 2009 | 9:24 pm

    Hi

    Glad it went well at the hospital and you can now put ALL your weight on it.

    Kids send their love and we hope you have a great holiday.

  • Paul Mc | May 10th, 2009 | 2:02 pm

    Hi cactus,

    Good to hear your now at the hobbling stage…i go to 2 widgets on Monday can’t wait, every week is another les widget…now known as widget Monday….sad but you have to get your motivation from somewhere.

    Keep up the hobbling…..

  • Paul Mc | May 9th, 2009 | 12:55 pm

    Hi cactus,

    I am 6weeks 5 days post rupture and had the aircast now nearly 3 weeks. Just about to take my 3rd Widget out (out of 5).

    I generally don’t use the crutches round the house only on long journeys. The boot with the widgets and ankle support will keep ypur tendon safe so try, if you can, and walk a little (or hobble in my case) each day. Your heel may at times feel sore thats when I know its time to put my foot up a while. I also ‘hobble’ around my gym 3 times per week. My theory is that it keeps the thigh musles working and will hopefully aid a quicker and safer recovery.

    If in doubt check with your consultant. Good luck.

  • cactus | May 8th, 2009 | 8:52 pm

    Hi Vern,

    I am five weeks to the day post rupture.

    I can put my full weight on my foot with my Aircast on bearing in mind i have three heel wedges in but i have only done this standing still, i haven’t yet got the confidence to walk without crutches yet as i don’t want to rush things.

    Cheers

  • vern | May 8th, 2009 | 8:34 pm

    cactus… duh!!!

    just read your post above…..

    could you not put weight on it about a week or so in?

    Vern..

  • vern | May 8th, 2009 | 8:17 pm

    hi cactus..

    how many weeks in are you?

    Are you being treated conservatively?

    when did you go into ‘boot’?

    cheers

    Vern..

  • cactus | May 7th, 2009 | 5:53 pm

    Hi Vern,

    Even though i have the Aircast on my ankle is still rigid and at the moment i am still using my crutches with partial weight bearing.

    You can buy Aircasts if you really had to, here is a website but hopefully you can persuade your consultant to give you one.

    If you have to buy one make sure it has heel wedges.

    Best of luck mate.

  • vern | May 7th, 2009 | 4:51 pm

    hi

    ruptured mine nearly 5 weeks ago and being treated conservatively. I have just been put in another cast which infuriated me after arguing with the consultant.. I also read from numerous sites that early weight bearing in an aircast walker was beneficial to regaining stength and avoiding re-rupture.. i can put full weight on my cast but am walking with a limp due to not being able to bend the ankle.. i am worried about athritis and blood clotting so thinking of going private-need to get the boot and self massage!!

  • andrew5600 | April 25th, 2009 | 5:35 am

    Please keep me/us posted. I too have opted for conventional method and it’s been 3 weeks and I have more ROM and significantly less swelling. ONLY after 3 weeks, I am going to have the MRI done and hopefully, when I consult another ortho doctor, he/she will provide a better insight. My only gripe is I think it would be too late to have the surgery at that point. 3 weeks into my bledsoe boots, is it too soon to see a physio at this point? Anyone?

  • Archie | April 24th, 2009 | 6:05 pm

    Good luck on your journey mate.

  • SimonD | April 24th, 2009 | 11:44 am

    Hi

    Just dropping by to say thanks for the comment on my posting today. It will certainly be interesting to compare treatment approach, given the closeness in injury date and location.

    I work in Edinburgh, commuting by train, with a little over a mile walk at both ends. Needless to say I will have to explore some alternatives when the time comes to go back.

  • cactus | April 22nd, 2009 | 10:37 pm

    Hi Annie,

    Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

    I will keep everyone informed of my conservative route progress as most people on here seem to have had surgery but as most people are from the US where surgery seems to be the thing to do it’s not surprising.

    Have a soft spot for the light blues and wish them all the best.

  • annieh | April 22nd, 2009 | 7:41 pm

    Hi Cactus,

    Everyone has different opinions. My Consultant said surgery then 9/10 weeks in plaster no alternative. He did not think that after years of experience that anything other than surgery would be right, yet some clearly prefer not to operate. I also think a lot depends on the gap in the tendon.

    You no doubt know about Valeri Bojinov of Manchester City and Curtis Davis of Aston Villa have both had the operation as opposed to the conservative route. So it really is hard to know what is best. Davis has played quite a few times without showing any injury problems, whilst our Bojinov has been out much longer and has had only a few brief outings, hopefully he will be fit for next season.

    Anyway, good luck with your recovery you will be aware that rest is all important but doing the exercises given by the physio is ultra important.

    Annie

  • Golf Clubs | April 21st, 2009 | 12:15 pm

    Interesting to know about your story, but even i agree that physio therapy really work wonders.