Post-Op…1 month…Not so comical but Not so bad
The Chilidog is starting to lose his patience and sense of “comedic relief”…I am glad to see most ATRers are progressing so well…
However, my “conservative” Doc wants me in this 2nd cast for a total of 6 weeks (a total of 8 weeks in both casts) …I was trying to compromise for a 4 week deal but the PA (his wife) told me he has a standard/strict protocol of 6 weeks…Does this strike anymore as “too conservative” ??? I feel like I may have to take matters into my own hands…”Sorry Doc, but the cast just accidentally fell off” !!!
I am supposed to be following a PWB approach but I will admit to doing much more PWB/FWB than I was told…I feel like I am almost ready to take off and start walking again…
I have really been in good spirits and staying occupied to this point but now the timeframe is starting to weigh on me…However after viewing Kristin’s post I cannot complain !!!
Personally, I think this is some sort of conspiracy by the Doc since he obviously did not appreciate my “drug-induced” trash talking of his golf game during my surgery !!!
We all at least I am going on a “golfing weekend” this Friday of course I will not be golfing…It will be nice to have a refreshing change of scenery and hang out with my pals…I will enjoy the good humored “inevitable abuse” they will throw at me…
Later ATRers,
The Chilidog
May 12th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Chili…
Every doctor has their own protocol that has worked in the past. Why change something that they have been doing over and over again. I’m sure one of your buddies could ‘accidently’ remove it while your passed out….LOL..
Go slow, and remember no matter what protocol you do, we will all be statistically the same in one year anyway.
Doc Ross
May 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Chili-
KNow what you mean about the conservative approach. I was in 3 casts for a total of 10 weeks..Also understand the timeframe starting to weigh you down…I’ve been out of work now for 12 weeks, with no end in sight..financial strain, etc, etc,
Hey at least I may have found us all a new sport—saw some “speed walkers” on the tv last night..looked prteey intense….have a good golf trip….Kevin
May 12th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Chili,
One of the surgeons I interviewed had a recovery timeline very similar to what you describe. Another had one that was really aggressive - 2 weeks in a cast, 4 weeks in a boot, and then off you go. I chose one in the middle. My point is that there’s a wide variability in recovery timelines just from a doctor’s point of view.
I’m with Doc Ross. While at the 19th hole, there could be a freakish golfing ‘accident’ involving your cast, a butter knife, and lots of beer . . .
Mike
May 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
My doc splinted me for 2 weeks, then depending on the incision and the rest of it’s healing, he plans to put me in a walking cast for 2-3weeks, then a boot for 4-6 weeks.
There does not seem to be a clear “evidenced based practice” for treatment/recovery for this injury — I started to see that early on as I read all these different accounts. Some docs use staples, I have stitches. Some cast you right away, I have a splint for 2 weeks. My doctor tells me he waits for PT to start - I bet that is another significant variant.
You would think if this many people are rupturing their achilles, there would be a best practice! Oh well.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Chilli-
I am going to northern Michigan for a golf weekend this Thursday. Two weeks ago I did not think I would be playing. I will be a day short of Six weeks tomorrow when we hit the first tee. But 10 days ago I showed up at my golf league to try and hit few balls. I ended up playing 18 in my boot. I played again this past Monday without the wedges in boot not as good as the previous week because I started swinging harder. I played better when I was ultra careful.
So I am gooing to boot it up and see how far I can make it. The schedule is thurs-18, Fri- 36, Sat 36. Not sure If I will be able to handle it all. But my bag will be loaded with beer and I am bringing my handicap parking so I can park close to the greens.
There are couple articles Dennis has posted about early FWB I read that gave me a little to push to speed up the time table. But we all still need to be ultra careful.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am
mbargo,
Good for U…Tear the courses up for me…
I am still in a cast therefore I doubt I will attempt any swings this weekend…
Once I get that boot I will be hacking again…
Of course I will be cautious with my “full bore” driving…But maybe I can tighten up the short game with the “forced relaxed” swing…
Good Luck,
The Chilidog
May 16th, 2008 at 1:15 am
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May 19th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Cleanly ruptured left achilles tendon on May 7th playing doubles racquetball. Felt like a bowling ball fell out of the sky right on the tendon. Had surgery the 8th and it went well. Not really a lot of pain with this except the third day because the cast was so darn heavy. Six days later fitted with boot. May 19th, finally took leg completely out of boot and was very depressed after looking at my sagging calf. Cannot believe the amount of atrophy in such a short time. This motivated me to start moving my foot, doing the gas pedal and pulling my foot back. It seems as though my foot has even athrophied a little. Tried to very slightly put weight on the foot with help of crutches. Seemed ok and made me happy to do this. However, it is now 12:20am and the tendon feels sore when I try to move it the same way. I will wait until tomorrow to see how it feels. Have never had an injury before and have been athletic all my life. I am taking zinc for healing of the skin and glucosamine for tendon repair. I just want to walk again. Doing nothing is so BORING.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Meg -
Glad that your surgery went well. Try to take it easy for the first couple of weeks.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Hey Meg,
U seem to be on the “fast track” approach to ATR recovery…However I do agree with Dennis in playing it a bit cautious at this point…I was a really “good boy” for the 1st 4 weeks but now I am “being bad”…I have pretty much ditched the crutches however I still let the pain be my guide…
I do the “foot pedal” deal all the time since I will be in a cast(s) for over 8 weeks…I am already resigned to seeing major atrophy…
Go Slow, Fight the Boredom & Good Luck,
The Chilidog