clementsblock’s AchillesBlog

Hey guys,

Just finished by 9th week post-op and feeling much more comfortable.
Some highlights:

• I just finished a 30 minute elliptical session and broke a very good sweat (first in 9 weeks…duh!)
• I have been continuing with my rehab and can do two-footed calf raises with no compensation or irritation
• I have managed to perfect the standing on one leg for one minute, but can only fair about 30 seconds with my eyes closed
• Going up and down stairs have gotten MUCH better!
• I did go out for drinks the other weekend (14 hour session) and my foot swelled up pretty good - guess there’s a trade-off there
• At the beginning of week 8 I had a noticeable limp, I am happy to say at the end of Week 9 I have a SLIGHT limp (I don’t think I am limping but my colleagues keep teasing me about it!)
• My calf size/strength is about 50-60% to where it was. It really did get weak.
• ROM is 100% I’d say.

My physio has been gone for 2 weeks so excited to see her this Friday.
For those who have just started, please understand the first 6 weeks are the WORST. But it gets better EXPONENTIALLY once you get out of your boot and start to walk again! You guys can do it!

Happy Healing and Father’s Day

CL

Hi all,

I am about 2 months in and had my check-up with my doctor today….

Said everything looked great and performed the Thompson test with success! Feels good to have that assurance from the doctor.

I continue on with my physio and here is my rehab I do 2 or 3 times a day.

• Ankle ROM exercises (Point forward, back, side to side, clockwise, counterclockwise)
• Resistance bands to strengthen the calf (wrap around bottom of foot, push forward for 3 seconds, release)
• Calf raises (sets of 12, unassisted)
• Squats (sets of 12, unassisted and no weight)
• Standing on my bad leg for one minute
• Standing on my bad leg for one minute, eyes closed
• Wall stretch - to stretch the calf
• Roller on the calf

I have been performing these for almost a week and will continue for 2 more weeks before ramping it up. I am cleared to go on the bike and elliptical. My AT is still pretty tight and having difficulties walking down stairs… anyone else have this problem or can state when they were walking down stairs normally?

Goal:

• The goal is to get rid of my limp (still about 10% limping)
• Calf raises with no compensation

Calf strength

• It has only been two weeks I have been rehabbing for calf strength, but my calf doesn’t look too far off my bad leg! Muscle memory is actually a thing in our human body.

Doctor’s Notes

• 3 month check-up (no running until then) and expected to return to sports at the 4 - 6 month mark depending on rehab process

Unfortunately, I still have to get an ACL op so my rehab will be pushed about 8 months…. but what can you do! For everyone in the early progress, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it could be worse! It is so important to do these exercises each day and it will get you back on your feet quicker.

Is this a bad injury? Yes

Can you recover from this with proper treatment? Yes

It is all about the focus and how you approach the rehab.

You will NOT make any substantial change to your Achilles Tendon if you don’t make substantial changes to your life.

Focus and Happy Healing!

CL

May 29, 2015 - 6 weeks to the date of my surgery.

I went into physio for the first time and:

1. Acupuncture was done to stimulate blood flow / healing
2. Massaged the hell out of my calf which was very very tight and sore.
3. I did one calf raise (assisted with a table) and was able to get some lift
4. Exercises where I had to push my foot against her hand to strengthen the calf.
5. Walking - I did a couple of metres of walking while she judged how my motion was.

I did ROM exercises on my ankle beforehand and she said it was very noticeable and beneficial that I did this (I do recommend this for everyone, as it quickens up the recovery time).

I am still walking with a limp due to a tight achilles but she said it was normal.

Homework:

1. Ankle rotations (up, down, side to side, clockwise/counterclockwise motions) = 2x a day 20 reps
2. With a band (blue), wrap around the middle of the calf, point your foot down for 3 seconds, release. This was to strengthen the calf

Prognosis:

I am now able to walk w/o the boot at home and work but have to wear the boot out (to bars or supermarket). I am still walking with a limp due to a sore achilles but that is normal.

Goal:

The physio said I have six weeks to strengthen my achilles to the point it should be relatively normal. I will then see if I need to get my knee (torn ACL) done in order to get back to normal.

To everyone that has just tore it or in the early weeks, I do recommend following your doctor’s advice but I highly found it beneficial to get out of the boot earlier to get range of motion and weight bearing to be done. It is all about getting your calf muscle strengthened. I was told if it is going to re-rupture, better earlier on which is more an indication that the surgeon may not have fixed it correctly in the first place. Obviously , please be very careful when walking to avoid any foreign substances that would make you trip/fall.

CL