Physical Therapy Modalities and Exercises
I expect to start some sort of PT within the next 2-3 Weeks. What types of exercises/modalities did everyone experience? Hydrotherapy, Electric Stimulation, Stretching, range of motion, etc. What was your pain level during PT? Was it worse than the days following post-op? Any info would be great?
April 16th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
colin - To begin with, here are some links regarding physical therapy. I think these will be helpful:
Info about physical therapy: http://achillesblog.com/physical-therapy/
Tom’s exercise guide: http://achillesblog.com/tomtom/exercise/
I’d add Brendan’s, Doc Ross’s, Mitch’s, johnskier’s, michael’s, and other’s pages too, but it looks like I can only include 2 links in the comments in your blog setting.
Be sure to check out other’s achillesblog, since I am sure there’s more helpful information.
I’ve done e-stim, icing, ROM, light stretching, massage, treadmill. balance board, light resistance bands, isometric exercises.
There shouldn’t be any pain when doing your PT.. maybe during the massage.
Keep in mind that some of the exercises are not appropriate for early stage of the recovery, and you should consult your doctor and your PT before doing any exercises. Patience is the key with this injury.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Colin - Dennis mentioned one of my posts on exercise. I’ll also direct you to this post as well: http://achillesblog.com/tomtom/2008/03/24/physical-therapy-day-1/ .
I didn’t start PT until around week 10, so I didn’t do any modalities or ROM at PT. However, I have done some of this on my own once I got in the boot at week 6, per my doctor’s orders. I basically just did exercises #1-3 from this guide - http://achillesblog.com/files/2008/03/exercise_at_home.pdf . I also constantly massaged the tendon area.
My PT has consisted mainly of stretching, strengthening, and balance. I didn’t have a lot of pain post op, but I wouldn’t say the PT pain was any worse. Post op pain was just a dull bruising type pain. PT pain has just been similar to the pain from a good gym workout.
BTW, I’m impressed with the bruising photos! Your rupture definitely looks a lot more painful than mine! Best of luck with the recovery. Read up as much as you can. I’ve found the blogs to be very helpful.
April 17th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Good Stuff Dennis! I’ll check out the other today for sure.
April 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Colin - I had similar bruising. I was out of the splint and cast after 3 weeks and did some very light range of motion (moving foot in circles) until week 5. Still NWB. Then at 5 I was PWB and told to do more ROM (like writing cursive with my big toe), but unaided, meaning I could only do what my calf muscle would do on its own. I always tried to massage the tendon too, but only if it wasn’t too sensitive. My advice is to be extremely careful and listen to the pros…we’ll try to be helpful and relay our experiences.
Man…being a firefighter is tough with this injury. Will they put you at a desk job during recovery?
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 am
Desk duty after I’m off crutches! That’s my goal right now. After that the rest of the rehab can take it’s time. I just got out of my cast yesterday at week 2. In a cam walker now, but still NWB. Doc told me to do some light stretching for the next 2 weeks. Will talk about PT then.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
colinpd - Congrats on the cam walker boot! Even though it’s a bit heavier and bulkier, for me it was much more comfortable in the boot than in the cast.
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