9 1/2 weeks post tear visit to Ortho
Well, this is the visit I was waiting for. The one where I hoped to hear that I could get rid of the boot and wear shoes on both feet again. First person is the office was a PA (physicians assistant) that works with my Ortho Doc. She checked me for strength and range of motion and seemed very pleased. I thought that maybe she was going to be it but she said her boss would be in shortly. He joined her in a few minutes and performed some simple checks and asked me to walk a bit. He proclaimed, “awesome”. My heart leapt in my chest . OK, I had a butterfly of excitement maybe. I honestly think that they were blown away by the fact that a tendon could come back as strong as it did in such a short time without an operation.
Bottom line: he wants to see me in 3 months and told me PT use was up to me. He suggested getting some instruction from PT regarding strengthening. Carry out the instructions at home and at the health club, go back to PT as needed for more instruction and/or evaluation. Both The Doc and PT see me as motivated and compliant (which I am). They know I’ve done my research and am faithful with my prescribed exercises so I guess I’m pretty much on my own.
It’s been freaking cold in the northeast and the roads are in tough shape so I will limit my walking to indoor malls for a couple of weeks. I will join the Athletic club this weekend and carry out my instructions. I know the achilles has a long way to go before it is not re-rupture prone, but I am convinced that I made the right decision on this one regarding no surgery.
It has been 7 weeks since I started rehab (2 weeks after rupture) and I know there is still a long road ahead. I have a protocol for 6 phases of heel raise that run for 2- 4 weeks for each phase (3 months total). If I follow it (can follow it) I should be in pretty good shape by the end of May. In addition to all that, I have to straighten out fupped up knees,glutes,quads and hamstrings( the whole leg and butt kinetic chain). Now if I can just convince my wife to give me back the keys to my CRV. I think she likes me being dependent. Not gonna do it. I’m going to sneak out for a Taco Bell run one of these days. Just you wait and see.
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Sounds great! Are you walking normally (with no “dip-limp”) barefoot at 9.5 weeks post-non-op? That would be strong.
Either way, Don’t Stop, and Watch Your Step!
Actually my gait and dip-limp ( I like that) much better than I expected (compared to my first ATR). A bit of plantar pain in the right heel from walking in the boot over the last three weeks. In shoes not so bad with a decent heel to toe roll and push off. Concentrating on that motion. Biggest blessing I’ve had with this one is the almost total lack of pain. I’m sore and fatigued from working the muscles and joints but no pain. Thank you Norm for your encouragement and for pointing me in the right direction re protocols.