Back to hospital this afternoon for leg inspection and change of cast. Advice needed please from those lucky enough (?) not to have had surgery, and apols if the questions seem a bit naive:
Should the tendon have mended itself by now?
Should I expect to pass/fail the Thomson test?
Well now I’m trapped in a pink plaster…I rather think my boys are going to be unimpressed. Trip to hospital went well, after I had ejected a non disabled driver from the mobility parking zone…hey I have a badge, and I’m not afraid to use it He was sitting in his car waiting for someone, so he was fair game I’m afraid!
Verdict from Dr is that my rupture was ‘high’ and that irrespective of % they wouldn’t do surgery as it is difficult to sucture. Good news is that there was some response to the Thompson test. They are keen to stick to my being “trapped” for another two weeks, then boot for four weeks…three heel wedges for first two weeks, then reduce to two after that and then one in my own shoes (I get to take in two pairs for that). BUT I did manage to get agreement to being PWT once I get the boot (was going to try that anyway, but nice to get official support).
Bad news is the nurse reckoned no tennis for twelve months. I gave her a dark look and muttered about getting on to a physio and chiro pretty quickly once I am boot-less. My target is a holiday in Australia in mid October, when I’d like to be able to at least hit a few balls with my elder son.
So there we are, two weeks down and six to go before being “two shoes”. Break out the champagne.
“physio. . . once I am boot-less” seems slower than optimal. My protocol says physio starts at 2 weeks, which is 6 weeks before it says “wean off boot”.
One of the advantages of a boot vs. a cast is that you can take it off temporarily, especially under professional supervision, like a physio. Heck, your ortho examines and manipulates you in-between casts, so what’s the big difference?
What a colourful treatment you’ve been having there! Here in the UK all the casts I’ve seen are in while. None in pink or purple!
I’m glad to hear that your AT responded positively to the Thompson test.
It’s much nicer to hear the verdict 2 weeks after the injury than 4 weeks and 2 days post AT as in my case. I’ve been talking to my AT through the while cast in Japanese that “Gambatte!”, which means ‘Take it easy!” as well as “Work hard!”
Hmmm good thought Norm. Think I may give my ’support team’ a ring over the next couple of weeks and sort out for something once I have my boot. Have just seen an ad. for Sketchers Shape ups which claim to give your calf a work out….has anyone any experience with these as a help (or hindrance) re AT?
Chocolata - my boys have done a bit of Japanese at school, I will impress them with my new found knowledge Btw I could have chosen a black, red or blue cast…or gone for the conventional cream option. The kids wanted a yellow one (the colour for our local soccer and rugby teams). Black boot will be boring in comparison.
CoolKiwi - I’ve checked Sketchers’ home page. It says users should do some stretch exercise for various parts of feet/legs (including the Achilles tendon) before start working in them. This shows they are not for people whose Achilles tendon is healing. I like walking and want shoes like these when my AT is fully recovered, though.
Sorry the boys wish was not realized. The clinic should really add “yellow” to their cast colour collection!
I’m now going to bed. Could you pass my message to your kids? “Oyasumi.”
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ATR Timeline
Name: coolkiwi Location: Wellington Injured during: Tennis Which Leg: L Status: 2-Shoes
827 wks 6 days Post-ATR 827 wks 6 days Since start of treatment
coolkiwi has completed the grueling 26.2 ATR miles to full recovery! Goal: 365 days from the surgery date.
6 responses so far ↓
CoolKiwi // Mar 7th 2010 at 1:59 pm
Back to hospital this afternoon for leg inspection and change of cast. Advice needed please from those lucky enough (?) not to have had surgery, and apols if the questions seem a bit naive:
Should the tendon have mended itself by now?
Should I expect to pass/fail the Thomson test?
Thanks!
CoolKiwi // Mar 7th 2010 at 6:45 pm
Well now I’m trapped in a pink plaster…I rather think my boys are going to be unimpressed. Trip to hospital went well, after I had ejected a non disabled driver from the mobility parking zone…hey I have a badge, and I’m not afraid to use it
He was sitting in his car waiting for someone, so he was fair game I’m afraid!
Verdict from Dr is that my rupture was ‘high’ and that irrespective of % they wouldn’t do surgery as it is difficult to sucture. Good news is that there was some response to the Thompson test. They are keen to stick to my being “trapped” for another two weeks, then boot for four weeks…three heel wedges for first two weeks, then reduce to two after that and then one in my own shoes (I get to take in two pairs for that). BUT I did manage to get agreement to being PWT once I get the boot (was going to try that anyway, but nice to get official support).
Bad news is the nurse reckoned no tennis for twelve months. I gave her a dark look and muttered about getting on to a physio and chiro pretty quickly once I am boot-less. My target is a holiday in Australia in mid October, when I’d like to be able to at least hit a few balls with my elder son.
So there we are, two weeks down and six to go before being “two shoes”. Break out the champagne.
normofthenorth // Mar 8th 2010 at 1:05 am
“physio. . . once I am boot-less” seems slower than optimal. My protocol says physio starts at 2 weeks, which is 6 weeks before it says “wean off boot”.
One of the advantages of a boot vs. a cast is that you can take it off temporarily, especially under professional supervision, like a physio. Heck, your ortho examines and manipulates you in-between casts, so what’s the big difference?
chocolata // Mar 8th 2010 at 6:26 am
What a colourful treatment you’ve been having there! Here in the UK all the casts I’ve seen are in while. None in pink or purple!
I’m glad to hear that your AT responded positively to the Thompson test.
It’s much nicer to hear the verdict 2 weeks after the injury than 4 weeks and 2 days post AT as in my case. I’ve been talking to my AT through the while cast in Japanese that “Gambatte!”, which means ‘Take it easy!” as well as “Work hard!”
coolkiwi // Mar 9th 2010 at 1:37 pm
Hmmm good thought Norm. Think I may give my ’support team’ a ring over the next couple of weeks and sort out for something once I have my boot. Have just seen an ad. for Sketchers Shape ups which claim to give your calf a work out….has anyone any experience with these as a help (or hindrance) re AT?
Chocolata - my boys have done a bit of Japanese at school, I will impress them with my new found knowledge
Btw I could have chosen a black, red or blue cast…or gone for the conventional cream option. The kids wanted a yellow one (the colour for our local soccer and rugby teams). Black boot will be boring in comparison.
chocolata // Mar 9th 2010 at 2:30 pm
CoolKiwi - I’ve checked Sketchers’ home page. It says users should do some stretch exercise for various parts of feet/legs (including the Achilles tendon) before start working in them. This shows they are not for people whose Achilles tendon is healing. I like walking and want shoes like these when my AT is fully recovered, though.
Sorry the boys wish was not realized. The clinic should really add “yellow” to their cast colour collection!
I’m now going to bed. Could you pass my message to your kids? “Oyasumi.”
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