canthappentome’s AchillesBlog

I’m a little past 7 months post-op, and cannot yet do a full 1 legged calf raise, and my calf is still over an inch less in girth circumference than my right leg. However, I am noticeably getting strong each week slowly but surely with my regular exercises, and more importantly, have been very active for months now, despite lacking strength. It’s probably only been 2-3 weeks that I’ve been able to even go up on two, then lower slowly on one. Consider taking up biking, which I’ve done without issues for months. Try starting out easy, but if you’re like me you’ll be surprised at how well you can ride. I was able to mountain bike for 5-10 miles before I could even walk fully without a limp, and yesterday I did a 19 mile, 3000+ ft climb up to 12000′. I’ve also been hiking a lot, though do feel a little disparity at the end of longer hikes. Still, don’t think that you can’t do anything prior to being at full strength yet. Talk to your doctor or PT and try biking and hiking, and you’ll likely be surprised at what you can do. And be patient and keep working! If you are making progress, that is the only thing you should be compari

It will come when it comes. I think you’re right that if this is all you have to complain about you’re doing OK…big smile for you.

I think there is way to much of a focus on that single leg calf raise in that as you know it really frustrates people and many use it as the only measure of a successful rehab & it clearly is not…this doesn’t negate the fact that calf raises are one of the best ways to build calf strength.

To answer your question I could do what you described around 5 - 6 months.

I’d suggest the eccentric calf drop program you can google online. You do it straight leg and bent leg to get both parts of the calf. It goes for 12 weeks and it does more than build calf strength, it realigns the tendon fibers. It is well researched and I personally found it very effective. It can even be modified. I had some insertional tendonitis and did it on a flat surface as opposed to stairs as the drop below the stair put too much stress on the tendon at the heel insertion point.

I’d also suggests sitting & doing single leg raises with a weight on the leg…you can add weight as you progress.

At 10 months my c

Great post. I am at 4 weeks and am basking in the glow of “I can carry stuff again”, and taking my first excursions around the house with one crutch and dabbling with nearly FWB. After a month on crutches this is a huge milestone. Thanks for giving me a glimpse at what is around the corner, and best of luck with the rest of your recovery!

responding to fauxgordeaux, I had the open type of surgery. Every step I take I have to consciously ‘push’ off with my toe because my calf is weak, but I don’t really have any pain, it is just weak. It’s like relearning how to walk, I notice what my good foot does with each step and I try and copy it.

Congrats on your progress! On Thursday I’ll be 10 weeks post-op and I’m beginning to worry a little bit about progress. My doc is fairly conservative–and I trust her completely–sterling credentials at a great hospital.

But while i’m able to bear full weight without a problem, I still have significant pain in my Achilles when I push off in my boot. I don’t know if this is normal or not. I’ve been walking without crutches for a few weeks, but I still really feel ever step in my achilles. I’m curious if others do too.

I also had percutaneous surgery and I’m not sure how many others had it here as well. I wonder if recovery times differ b/w types of surgery. I feel like I’m behind the majority of my “cohort” many of whom are walking in shoes.

I totally relate with trying to get into some sort of exercise routine. The deep water running would be a great option for me, however, my incision is not fully closed so the doc won’t clear me for that yet. I have been riding a recumbent bike at PT, but not long enough or with any resistance so I don’t break a sweat at all. My PT said no elliptical yet (I am at 13 weeks tomorrow). I am not fond of the elliptical anyway but since we have one it would have been a great option, if allowed. To answer your question regarding breaking a sweat on the elliptical, my hubby uses it daily and although I have no clue what setting he uses, he gets extremely sweaty and loves the cardio workout he gets from it. My cardio routine prior to this most wonderful injury was Zumba 5-6 days/week and Body Pump 3x/week for strength training. My OS informed me I won’t be able to return to Zumba for at least a year post-op, which absolutely crushed me when I heard this. It is my “drug of choice”, lol. I am hoping to be able to prove him wrong but until then I guess I am with you, walking, exercise bike and hopefully swimming once my stubborn incision heals.

I like your description of the placebo machine! That plus a heat pack is all I get when I go to PT!

I find I am getting a reasonable cardio workout on the bike now, although I am still using it with the boot.

It sounds like you are doing well being in 2 shoes at 8 weeks.

Thanks for the update. Obviously you did a really good job on the stretching!

Sounds like you’re making great progress. Congrats, and be safe.

for kiwibug, I just put on a new post and the instruction for dorsiflextion to within 2 cm of my good leg has been scrapped in favor of strengthening, in fact I have a cease and desist order from my PT after my stretch has gone from 0 to 2/3 of the good leg in one week, apparently this was too fast. It seems a bit random to me but I will do as I’m told.

Thank you for the description, it makes sense now. Do you have any idea how close you are to that goal at the moment?

for kiwibug, the PT put a piece of paper on the edge of my left big toe and I squatted down as far as I could, keeping my left foot flat on the floor. She measured on the paper how far in front of my big toe my knee got to on the left (good) leg. She wants the right knee to get within 2 cm of that before strength training begins.

Heading under the knife in 3 hours. Love this post. I too am 57 and in good shape. Tore mine stepping (yes stepping!) up to hit a volleyball. Wish I had chosen Birthday cake over volleyball but what can you do!

Best of luck to you.

Good to hear about your PT exercises. Stretching 5 times a day is going to keep you busy!

Can you explain exactly what you mean by the knee bend that you need to achieve before moving on to strengthening exercises?

Haha, it’s her JOB to give you a hard time!

Remember, fear can be healthy, but it can also be irrational. I think the key to recovery is finding the right balance.

Sounds like stretching will become your part time job. I will have to live vicariously through you; I was supposed to start PT tomorrow but they called and cancelled because the PT will be out. They don’t have any openings for two weeks!

Thanks for sharing your story. I am 12 weeks post-op and was surprised when my surgeon and my PT told me that my achilles would always be very large at the repair site. Your sharing that your PT said it is now stronger at the repair is comforting to me in my recovery.

I am on a slower timeline, just went to two shoes yesterday, so you sound like you are doing well! Keep up the good work, and happy healing!

My surgery was 5/6, still have some pain in the back of my leg, but tolerable. Two more weeks in a cast, then onto the boot. After the second week, they put a new cast on me every week, each time attempting to get my foot level. Now that it’s level, I can finally get around on my own without crutches. I still use the non-motorized little scooter. You put your leg on it and push with the other leg. That is a life saver. I’m 57 years old and ruptured it playing softball. I had the operation because of the low risk of re-rupture and the goal of playing next year. After going through this process, golf may be a good alternative. Good luck to all that are in process of recovery.

Thanks for sharing your story. You should be a comedian!

Congrats on getting the surgery. For me, the intuitive sense that it *should* heal stronger overcame my fear of going under the knife.

I thought I was in good physical shape at 35 years old, but if you are breaking 45 mins in 10 Ks at age 56, you’ve got me beat!

Amen on needing someone to help around the house with this injury. My pregnant wife is losing patience (my surgery was on 5/7), but she takes good care of me (begrudgingly), which makes all the world of difference.

We are almost exactly in the same place (rupture 4/14/15; surgery 4/22/15), except I start PT on Thursday. Good luck with your recovery. I totally think that surgery was the right option. It’s hard enough to stay down with the surgery recovery. I can’t imagine being in casts for non-surgical recovery.

Great post and great attitude. Sounds like you will continue to do well with your recovery. I too had a similar experience where the first OS said non surgical was the way to go and I wasn’t sure that would be the right decision for me either. I also ended up with the surgery and have had a good recovery so far at 13, almost 14 weeks. Take care.