Carissa’s AchillesBlog

Well, here I am … 12 weeks non-op and doing pretty good. I started strength training in PT at week 10 . This consists of:

1. seated heel raises … 2 sets of 10, did a week with no-weight and then added a five pound weight to each knee
2. standing on one leg … graduated from 3 reps of 10 secs to 3 reps of 30 secs
3. stair step-ups … started with 1 set of 10 and up to 2 sets of 10 now .. just stepping up a step with the bad AT and brining the good foot up and then going back down backwards .. just one step
4. theraband - 3 sets of 10 DF, PF and side to side

My PT had me doing some stretching as well, but I wasn’t feeling any stretch in my calf .. just blockage and pain in my ankle, so he felt that I should back off on that for a couple weeks.

I’m also still elevating and icing twice a day for 20 minutes each time …

I’m also doing a foam roller on my calves to help release the tightness that I have that probably caused the rupture in the first place.

Other than that, I added stationary biking 4 days ago. I did 20 minutes the first day and 30 minutes the next day, with low resistance. I was able to get my heart rate up. It felt great .. until a couple days ago when I started to feel pain in my bad AT. I’ve spent two days taking it easy now and will try again tomorrow and maybe take it a little more slowly.

I’m still wearing the boot when I leave the house. Being a housewife/stay-at-home-mom though, I don’t really go out all that much so I spend most of my time in bare feet …. which I really really missed! My PT said I should wear shoes in the house … but I just can’t bring myself to and I’m going fine without.

I only have one concern right now .. and that is the pain in the AT. I only feel it at the end of the day and it’s not constant .. more of a slow onset and then fade away over a couple of minutes. It’s a stabbing pain type feeling and often accompanied by an icey cold feeling. Does anyone else have this?

Oh, my sweeling has gone way down now … still lumpy bumpy along the AT, but I can definitely see improvement.

Happy Healing All!

@californiaguy - my DF is getting there .. I’ve never had it measured .. but I’d say it’s just above half of what my good foot can do

@starshep - yup, I was thinking the pain in my calf was just because it was being used now .. thanks

Now .. where am I now … well, about 3 days ago I ditched the boot at night time. I just felt it was time and it has been absolute HEAVEN! My doctor wanted me sleeping in it until week 12 .. um, not going to happen. I’ve also started shuffling around the house without the boot! just a few days of that as well. I can feel when my body has had enough of that and then I put the boot back on.

I have PT this coming Wednesday for the 3rd time. Am looking forward to that.

The only thing that is slightly worrying me is the indent where the break was. It’s only there when I PF .. but it’s definitely there. I was so worried about it yesterday that we did the Thompson test on it and …. there was TONS of movement thanks goodness! so I guess that indent is normal? will go away with time? I don’t have any more doctor’s appointments … but can make one if I feel that I need to .. right now, I don’t think I do.

A question about re-rupture … i know I haven’t done that BUT what does it feel like when you do? does it feel like the initial injury? is it painful? swelling? bruising? Just curious

Happy Healing!!

Last Wednesday I had my second PT session. Was told that my ROM is really great and that I was to progress on to the red theraband. Was shown the  moves there. I did 15 reps of each .. dorsi, plantar, side to side. I’m supposed to do that 3 times a day as well as ice and elevate 3 times per day. I went home and later in the afternoon did another set of the theraband exercises. By the time dinner time came around, my calf was really sore Now, is that because it hasn’t been used in so long or is it because my body isn’t ready to do that yet?

My next PT isn’t until week 10. That’s when my Ortho has cleared me to start strengthening exercises. So my PT has started me two weeks earlier than my Ortho wanted. I haven’t done the theraband since last Wednesday, I’ve just kept up with the ROM exercises that I was given at my first PT session.

I went out to run errands on my own yesterday .. for the first time in two months! I did the pharmacy and the veg/fruit section of the grocery store. I was super sore by the time I got home and really achy last night

I had a scare on my good AT last week. I decided to clean the screens on all the windows and was stretching up to unlatch the top of one when I felt a really bad pain in the back of my heel. I’ve had that problem my whole life .. I never could jump off of a moving swing .. and if I stretch too far up on my tippy toes it always happens. I never knew what the pain really was .. but I’m guessing that that’s the AT? I’ve never mentioned it to the doctor seeing as it’s happened my whole life and I just thought that that was the way I was built and it wasn’t really an issue. Is that what achilles tendonitis feels like?

Anyways, I am looking forward to my next PT appointment. He’s going to start me on a foam roller. All of my muscles in my lower legs are super tight . The PT said that my other AT will eventually go as well if we don’t work on loosening those muscles.

Well, going to try and go shopping a little bit today for new bedding … we’ll see how long I last

Happy Healing!!!

Well,  I had my doctors appointment yesterday. Thompson test passed, good to great healing at this point. Was told to wear the AirCast for another 4 weeks and then wean off, drop the crutches now, oh and … yay sleep in the AirCast for another 4 weeks too .. ugh. So I was released and told come back if I feel I need to but otherwise, go start PT … with first two weeks working on ROM and then start on strengthening (that would be at week 10).

So what did I do in the afternoon .. went to PT *lol* of course I went right away! I’m just way too excited to be moving along in this process.

PT was great! asked tons of questions and got to know my therapist. He did a thorough exam of both legs .. commented that my lower leg muscles are quite tight, and I told them they’ve always been like that. He said that that was probably why the tendon ruptured and that we’ll work on that for both legs to prevent re-rupture and to prevent my “good” tendon from rupturing. I asked about the burning/stabbing pain that I get in my ankle bones at odd times and he said it is most likely some blood pooling because of not moving normally. He said he wants me to record when it happens and let him know. I think it usually happens out of the blue when I’m just sitting or laying down (not elevated). Oh, he did say to try elevating when that does happen. All the other aches and pains and twinges are normal because the ankle has been immobolized for so long and it will all work itself out over time. I did ask the doctor the same question in the morning and she said “it’s not going to feel right for some time and that is completely normal”. So I do feel better about all those little twinges and stuff now.

Back to PT ….

I was given a deep tissue massage which at first scared the crap out of me. I thought that touching it that roughly would make it re-rupture. He said it wouldn’t. So I relaxed a bit .. and I’m not going to lie .. it did hurt .. but it also felt good at the same time He also gave me some ROM exercises to do. Dorsi and plantar, side to side and circles. I’m to use a belt and apply 10% pressure/stretch to each. Doing each motion 3 x 10reps holding last  3 - 5 seconds …. 4 times a day. Also, increase the pressure/stretch over the next couple of days to 30%. Elevate and ice 3 times per day for 10 minutes at a time. I go back on Wednesday and he said we would progress on the stretching then.

His prognosis is that I’ll be up to 90% of what I did pre-injury in a couple of months. So at 4 months!! I’m a little surprised about that, but if it can be done … I’ll be quite happy. BUT I will continue to listen to my body and back off it I need to.

Oh, last night .. while watching TV .. my ankle was quite sore. I’m guessing that’s to be expected.

Anyways .. I’m on the road and moving forwards .. that’s all I care about at this point

So, it’s been a couple more weeks … and I’d say I’m doing pretty darn good

Two weeks ago, so week 6, I did one crutch around the house and two when going out. The last couple of days I’ve been doing no crutches at home and two crutches when going out. So far, so good.

I’m not having much pain any more .. just a stabbing pain here and there .. lasts a second and then is gone. The pain is right in the achilles area. No more pain on the top of my foot and the sides of my ankle (right on the bones, or in the bones) have stopped acting up as well. My knee is bothering me a bit .. but that’s not surprising since I landed on it when I collapsed when my achilles ruptured. I’m sure that’ll go away soon enough.

I FINALLY have a doctors appointment this Friday. We’ll see what they have to say. I’m sure they’ll be surprised … mad .. glad … whatever that I’m off crutches at home .. I was supposed to do PWB for 6 weeks at 20-30 pounds. This is why I’m saying I “FINALLY” have a doctors appointment. I can’t believe that they saw me once and sent me away for 6 weeks.

I’m still doing my own PT. Doing the gentle movements, spelling the alphabet, and some gentle kicking in the hot tub.

Still haven’t gone “out” on my own. Hubby takes me everywhere. I can’t wait to be able to run to the grocery store by myself! It’s those little things.

Anyways, it feels good and I’m not worrying about a thing. I’m being careful, yes, but not worrying myself about whether or not I’ll re-rupture or whatever. If it happens, it happens and I’ll deal with it then

Happy Healing!!

Well, here I am at 5 weeks .. whew .. I can’t believe it’s been 5 weeks already! week 4 went by really fast.

I’m still getting some aches and pains, but not nearly what it was before. I did the Thompson test last week and I got my first real movement! which was awesome!

I’m still wearing the AirCast all the time but taking it off for showering and sitting around watching TV. I do some movements during those times but no stretching.

I’m still PWB with crutches, but have taken my first steps with just one crutch and a couple steps with no crutches. Not totally comfortable with that though .. my achilles doesn’t hurt .. but the top of my foot does … It feels alot like when I fractured a bone in my foot a few years ago. I’m almost thinking that I did that again when I crashed and tore my achilles. I think the doctors are so zeroed in on the achilles, that they forget about the rest of the ankle and foot .. especially because I didn’t just “feel a pop” when my achilles went … I just collapsed mid-push on a longboard and landed spralled out on the concrete. (I’m sure that would have won a America’s Funniest Home Videos for sure)

Anyways, I don’t have a doctors appointment for another 3 weeks. I’m sure I’ll be way beyond where they want me to be a that point, but I’m confident that I’m doing the right things .. especially because I’m listening to my body and following the UWO protocol pretty closely at this point.

Oh, I’m down to one heel wedge in the boot and that will be coming out on Friday .. I’m sure FWB will be a lot easier once I can even out my legs with a wedge shoe on my good foot and the AirCast with no wedges

The funniest thing that has been happening, almost since the beginning of all this, is “walking”dreams. Dreams where I’m walking around with my husband and then all of a sudden I stop and say “look at me!! I’m walking!” *lol* Actually it is kinda disappointing when I wake up and realize that I have to grab the crutches to even get to the bathroom … but still, something to laugh about

Okay, I made it 3 weeks and I’m not crazy or bored yet .. a little frustrated with the things that I can’t do and how long it takes me to do certain things .. but I can deal with it. One thing this injury is teaching me … slow down … enjoy life … and the kitchen doesn’t have to be spotless all the time *lol* I’m letting a lot go

I’m un-booting for about 4 hours a day … on top of showering. Doing my ABCs and other gentle movements. Almost all my swelling is gone and my bruises are significantly less dark and the yellow ones are fading. I’m still PWB with crutches and looking forward to FWB without crutches .. I know it’s still a long way off though.

With almost all my swelling gone my ankle bones are sticking out again and the AirCast is hurting me a little bit, but I seem to be able to make it better if I pump it up extra snug.

I do have some stabbing pains in the evening but elevation and ice seem to make it go away. Sometimes some Advil, but for the most part no pain meds. The tingling is gone .. that only lasted a couple of days and I’m pretty sure it was just things coming back “online” after not being moved for 10 days.

I’ve been in touch with a PT and had a chance to ask a whole bunch of questions .. making me feel more confident about my choice to go non-op. I still hate the fact that this is going to take so long … but I’ll get through it and come out the other side stronger and healthier!

Happy Healing!

With each passing day, I’m feeling more and more confident and less fearful. In the beginning, I was scared to death of doing something wrong and felt like if I just moved my foot wrong that it would re-rupture. Now that I’ve been wiggling my toes and doing some gentle movements, I have no fear of that. I’m not doing a very hard stretch with the dorsiflexion .. but I am a little with the plantar .. I have no pain when doing that. The side to side motion is pretty solid. Today I’m going to try the alphabet with my big toe

Hubby took me out to one of my favorite spots in the park last night and we went for a “walk”. I’m still two crutches and PWB, but it felt really good to be out in nature and having some fun. The only thing that got sore were my wrists from the damn crutches. We watched the sunset and those lucky people on their bikes .. I can’t wait to be back on my bike! that’s been the hardest thing about all this.

I’m also itching to go in our hot tub .. but am too scared that it will hurt at this point. My swelling has gone WAY down … maybe I’ll dip my toes in this weekend and see how it goes.

Other than that, I’m taking my supplements, doing elevation, resting and icing. Oh, I ordered http://accucarecanada.com/Athletic_product/Wome

n/Hot_and_Cold_Wraps/ColdOne_Ankle_and_Foot_Ice_Compression_Wrap. I think it’ll be ALOT easier than trying to wrap an ice pack in the right place on my ankle. It’ll be here in a couple days, I’ll report haow well it works/or not once I try it out.

I’ve been spending some time going over my “bucket list”. One of the things I really want to do on there is sky dive before I’m 40. I’m crossing my fingers that I can still do that .. I’ve got until July 24 of next year to get well enough

Happy Healing!!!

So I’m PWBing … I must admit, the first day or two I was really apprehensive about this. But now I’m forcing myself to PWB everytime I go somewhere. And I’m forcing a normal type gait as well .. don’t want to have huge issues overcoming a strange gait later on.

I am very happy to report that I am getting around the house more now things like folding laundry and cleaning up the kitchen.

No handrails to the basement yet … the husband wants to bring the exercise bike to the main floor for me. I’m fine with that

I do have some questions though ..

1. When I feel tingling in my heel and achilles, is that what a stretch feels like? I’m thinking it does .. but not sure.

2. How much time can I spend with the boot off? I take it off for a sit-shower and do a little bit of water therapy in there (hot water, cold water, hot water, cold water) .. I also take it off for about an hour at night and try some wiggling and ROM exercises. But, can I leave it off more when I’m just sitting with my feet up?

3. Is it dangerous to flex my calf muscle? I don’t feel pain when I do do it.

4. What supplements do or did you all take when you were recovering? Glucosamine? Extra vitamin C?

Happy Healing

I guess I missed saying … I was put in a cast immediately, then received a new cast a week later (because the first one was really loose and was causing me lots of pain). I LOVED my new cast … but three days later, I had my “real” first appointment and the cast was taken off and I was put in an AirCast with 3 heel lifts. I’m to take 1 out every 2 weeks and go back for my second appointment in 6 more weeks. I’m also PWB 20-30 pounds for the next 6 weeks.

Thank you to everyone for the encouraging words! I don’t know what I would do wsithout this site … reading all the info and all the blogs.

Oh and yes, it was a rupture … not sure how much of a rupture or where exactly it is though .. they said that they can feel, see and do the squeeze test to confirm that it is a rupture and no need to do any other tests.

The only thing that I went to sleep worrying about last night was … what happens if I go back in 6 weeks and there is no progress? is that something that happens a lot? or am I just being a worrier? (one of my New Year’s resolutions was to stop worrying so much … guess I should now too, eh?)

As for sitting around .. I love to knit, crochet, quilt, sew, stitch, read, watch tv and movies … so I have TONS to keep me occupied. It is hard being a housewife/stay-at-home-mom and not being able to do all of my regular stuff .. but the husband and 18yo son are doing just fine. And we’re hiring a housekeeper … because, let’s face it, they don’t love cleaning the house and I like it nice and clean

A little more of my history … about 8 years ago I went through a depression and was put on a medication that caused me to gain 40 pounds. I’ve never been an overweight person, so this was a little hard to handle. I went on Weight Watchers, changed meds, and lost all 40 pounds. Then about 6 years ago, we had a family tradegy and I ended up gaining it all back plus 10 more. I basically gave up and resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be overweight for the rest of my life. Fast forward to a year ago and I started thinking about loosing weight again, making little changes in my diet and getting a little bit more activity in my life. Then, February of this year, I had the worse case of the flu that I have ever had in my life … lost 10 pounds in a week! When I was better, I decided not to let this opportunity go by and keep loosing weight. I became WAY more active than I’ve ever been in my life. At the time of my injury, I was biking 12-20 miles a day (1 - 1.5 hours on a local pathway system with lots of hills and some off path mountain biking), walking/running daily, swimming three times a week, long-boarding (just learning), yoga twice a week, and weight lifting three times a week. By the time of my injury, I had lost 35 pounds total. And now … FULL STOP. ugh! I am watching what I eat, counting calories and being really really careful. I DO NOT want this injury to cause me to gain all that weight back again. I won’t let it. So .. this is the reason for the PT question.

But, if I can’t do PT right now … what are some exercises that I can do with my other leg, core and arms that won’t affect my injury? or should I just relax and give it a few more weeks before I start trying to do things? I have lost another 5 pounds in the last 11 days .. but I’m guessing most of that is the muscle that I was building prior to the injury My goal weight is another 30 pounds and then on to maintaining that for the rest of my life.

Thanks everyone!! you all made my day with your comments. It’s really nice to hear from other people that are going through or have gone through the same thing