Chip’s Achilles Recovery

$#@!!&*^% is right. Needless to say, my condolences…from a fellow ATRerX2. We are in a truly elite club that I hope doesn’t get any more members. And let me tell you firsthand that the boot is no guarantee of full protection.

Uggg, I’m sorry to hear this, Chip. Best of luck in your recovery process.

With you and daveleft posting re-rupture stories over the past two days, it really makes you remember how big a deal this injury is. (Dave, good luck with surgery tomorrow if you are moving forward with it.)

I’m sorry you guys have to go through with this again. Literally makes me sick to my stomach. I remember getting in a bit of an argument with my wife after the 2nd or 3rd week of recovery, and telling her how “I DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS AGAIN!”

I hope you can share your experiences and your thoughts the second time around, and let us know what things, if any, you would do differently.

Chip –I am too really sorry to hear this. I know you must feel very frustrated at this set back. My thoughts and prayers are with you - I know that sounds corny but I really feel for you and daveleft at your reruns.

May this second recovery go quickly and painlessly for you.

Wow…

So sorry to hear this. Thinking of you. Cannot imagine the frustration you must be feeling. Is the MD doing the same protocol for recovery or does it change??
Good luck

Doc Ross

chip -

I am sorry to hear that. I hope the recovery goes better this time around. Do you know what your protocol will be like this time around?

Wow, what a terrible week. 2 re-rups??? Hopefully you and Dave are able to make a complete recovery this time around. Try to stay positive, although I’m sure it must be extremely frustrating.

I had the nerve block. What a fantastic thing it is! They said mine would last 15-20 hours. They did the block before I went in to surgery then after I came out they had me wait about 30 minutes to make sure it had taken. Then they just said,”You’ll be fine at least until bed time, just start your Percoset before you go to bed. Its easier to “manage” the pain than to try to get rid of it. I would highly recommend it #1 because it blocks the pain, #2, It was nice to be concious enough to crutch myself to the bathroom, bed, couch etc.

Sorry to hear about another re-rupture. I would have to agree that the first 3-4 weeks are the worst.

Hang in there.

damacar

Chip,

I’m pissed at the universe for doping this to you, just like I was angry with it for doing the nasty to Daveleft as well.

On a positive note, I had the nerve block, too, on my surgeon’s recommendation and it’s waayyy better than a general.

We’re with you and have your back.

Mike

This is not right - it feels like its more than the 1-% they are talking about…….

Wow, thanks for the responses. I appreciate it. I will take it slower. Several times I was walking and moving around so much my ankle got very swollen. I should have taken that as a bigger warning sign. We had a strange occurance of two houses selling in a very close window. That meant two moves and I was far to active helping out. Big mistake and I paid for it. I did not get ANY direction from my doc about recovery. I guess the good news is the old repair will heal even more while I am in a cast. Last time I was in the cast less than 3 weeks and then in the boot. I remember asking my doc about wedges in the boot at first. He said no need.

What did you all do?

How long were you in a cast?

Any suggestions on exercises I can do right now? I know of toe curls and spreads - leg extensions. Is that about it?

Thanks again for all your encouragment!

chipintn, sorry about the rerupture, you must be soo pissed! I would be.

Hang in there and thanks for all the good tips!

Hey. Speechless…these re-ruptures are in the water it appears. So sorry that you are on the roller coaster again. My surgery was on April 15th…I never went to a cast, (because of open wound) but if I had I would have had a cast a good couple mths. Just now my Dr. is having me put a little weight (10 lbs) on bad leg. So, I’ve been going at a snails pace. I’m not sure how my recovery would have been if I hadn’t had the open wound and MRSA thing. As you know, everyone is different. Your surgery was so recent, I know my Dr. didn’t have me doing ANYTHING in terms of movement for quite a while. It would be interesting to figure out why both you and Dave can re-rupture above the tendon…I mean…goodness…it would be nice if folks could figure out what causes these things to happen and how to prevent. Thanks for all of your hindsight warning signs. They’re good to know. Thinking of you!!!!

I feel so badly for you Chip. That’s so bizarre and at 11 weeks. Wonder if it has to do with strength? Our thoughts are with you and Dave.

On the block note, I had the block - a popiteal block I think - and the good thing is you get the first 24 hours or so without pain and a chance to rest a bit. I had a general too but I think the anesthesiologist was encouraging me to do without the general as then they don’t do the tube etc.

My doc was mad at me when I removed a wedge (it was uncomfortable and was rubbing on the incision) so at least one doc likes them (reduces strain on tendon I think).

take care. We’re thinking about you.

Chip…dang..what a bummer! I stuck to a pretty conservative protocol: 4 weeks cast (NWB), 2 weeks boot (NWB), 2 weeks boot (PWB), 3 weeks boot (FWB), shoe @ 11-12 weeks. I’m at 15 weeks now, and definitely just started paying more attention to the stairs and toys on the floor, especially while carrying my kids. During my PWB/FWB in the boot, I started with 2 wedges, then down to 1, then to 0, back to 1 (cause it hurt like heck), then to 0…and into a shoe. That was over the course of 5 weeks. Sounds like you are staying positive…keep us posted on how the recovery is going.

oh my god talk about you being dealt a bad hand . so unfair , my thoughts are with you , good luck on your recovery again……. and were all here for you , keep us posted x

chip-

Stay strong man I too am sorry for you. I am right at 11 weeks and feeling pretty good but I have had some swelling and you made me realize I too am vulnerable. Keep a strong attitude I hope the best for you. I was in the boot wk 2. FWB in boot week six and started with the shoes about week 8.

Can I add my sympathies too? Really crap news.

Chip-
REALLY SORRY. How are you doing?

Can you clarify your flip flops comment? Did the ’slip’ happen when you were wearing them? Or are you advising to not wear them at all because they are bad for your feet/achilles… Just curious, thanks.

FYI

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/summer-flip-flops-may-lead-to-foot-pain/

Ive posted this before but seems to be a hot topic.

No kidding about the dangers of flip flops. Since this I’ve been eying shoes more cautiously - good support, solid construction and non-skid. Trying to do what I can to avoid this on the 2nd foot. :O

Sorry to hear about this. Looks like you have a good attitude about it, though, which helps going through this process (as know!). Take care!

I can honestly say, I feel your pain!! Five and a half weeks post surgery, I fell and re-ruptured my right Achilles. I’m now six weeks post second surgery and hope to walk by the end of July.
I choose to have a “spinal” and nerve block for both procedures. Highly recommend both!
I used garbage bags w/a wide Velcro strap for showering. Most medical supply stores will have a shower seat you can rent. For work/home, I kneel on a rolling walker. The official name is “Rollator.” It is the only way to go… and with a three year old, it is a LIFESAVER!
Good luck!!!
Erin

Chip,

It’s been a week and half since my second surgery and I’m starting to feel better. The surgery was much more invasive this time around (I’d say five inches with a fold-down autograft instead of the two inches last time) and my foot really swells up when not elevated. Didn’t have it nearly this severe the first time around. Going in on Thursday and hoping to get my stitches out. Hope you are truckin’ along.

Hi, Erin. I see that you are a fellow 2x ATR as well. You said that you fell at five and a half weeks. That was the same time that I re-ruptured mine. Were you in a boot or any protection at the time? I’m still trying to figure out how/why it happened to make sure it doesn’t ever again.

dave