7.5 Weeks and First PT
September 15, 2012 by carissa321
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
Congrats on the progress on both healing and PT! You might want to double check with your doc or PT as to whether you really need to wear the boot at night. When I got my boot (at 6 weeks) the doc originally wanted me to wear it at night, but when I promised I would be a good boy and use my crutches if I had to get up, she relented. Let me tell you it feels SOOOOO good to finally get to sleep without some big heavy clunky thing on your leg!
Yes ditch the boot at night! I did, makes for a better nights sleep! ROM exercises are the key. By the time I went for my 8 week check I had worked on ROM leading up to the appointment. I am at 11 weeks now! I have not had any PT as of yet, been doing it all myself and feel great, ROM as good as my good leg! Keep going it will come!
@daves - I asked both the doc and the PT a few times and they both said it’s safer to sleep with it on .. and seeing as I’m a mover and a shaker when I sleep, it’s probably best. Besides, it doesn’t bother me to sleep in it at all
@pauls - yeah, I’ve been doing ROM since day 10 .. no real stretching though. now I’m stretching a little bit in dorsi but only a 10% stretch, so nothing too serious. thank you
Hi Carissa,
I’ve been following your blog because there are many similarities that you and I have. I ruptured my AT playing badminton on July 28th (not too long after your ATR), living in Calgary, probably just over a year older than you are (celebrated my 40th last year scuba diving in Mexico), opted for the non-surgical route and am more or less on the same rehabilitation course that you have been following.
I was put into a cast in the Emergency room on the day of the incident; went back to see the orthopaedic surgeon 3 days later only to have my cast changed with the toes pointing a little further down - 20 to 30 degrees; went back 3 weeks later to see the ortho surgeon only to have the bottom of the cast cutoff so that I could do a little bit of plantar flexion movement (I think it is called cauterizing the cast); and then at 6 weeks, I finally got the aircast boot. The cast was terrible since I could not put any weight on it or rest the foot comfortably. I am now PWB in the aircast boot but am probably closer to 75% weight bearing and am able to walk around with one crutch. I’ve been to 2 physio sessions already which has really helped to build back my confidence to start moving the foot and ankle and not be too over protective.
I have not really had any pain or much discomfort since the rupture. However, that is probably what is causing the fear since I am not sure whether I am pushing too much or not enough. I really don’t want to hear that dreaded pop again as if someone kicked me at the back of my leg. This is actually my second ATR - my other AT on my left leg ruptured about 15 years ago.
My ortho surgeon says that I am following the UofC protocol. Not sure how much different it is from the UWO protocol but it would seem like I’m a little behind the UWO schedule. Anyway, I don’t have another appointment with the Ortho surgeon until another 6 weeks so I’m mostly relying on my physiotherapist to help me wean off the crutches and onto FWB. Hopefully that occurs in the next week or so.
@chrisq - isn’t it strange that we live in the same city and have two very different protocols? I was in the aircast boot at 10 days with wedges. I can’t imagine being in a fiberglass cast for longer than 10 days .. that was enough to drive me crazy! I started walking FWB, no crutches 3 days before my 7.5 week ortho visit. I just stood up and walked one day and there was very little discomfort … I’d say just listen to your body and at the same time, be cautious
Thanks for sharing your blog. It is very encouraging to read about your recovery process.