crutchesintx’s AchillesBlog

So I was coming down my stairs last night (in my boot). I got to the bottom of the stair case, about two stairs left to go, and I tripped on the stair. But it wasn’t a fall, it turned into more of a leap over the last two stairs. Of course the foot that came down first was my injured foot in the boot. In mid air I tried to brace myself to come down on the heel of the boot instead of the toe area. I think for the most part I did an okay job of doing that, but when I landed it just felt really wierd. No pain, no loud pop. Just felt wierd.

This morning I woke up and notice that my areas around my ankle are a little sore and the bottom of my scar is a little more puffy than usual. In feeling my achilles area, it seems like everything is intact. I can feel the thickness through the achilles area. I tried to do the Thompson test as best as I could. I know from doing it a couple weeks ago, there isn’t a whole lot of movement. It is barely noticable. When doing it this morning I could still see my foot move that little bit. My last physical therapy appointment I got to walk around with no boot. So I tried that this morning and I walked about 5 yards and back with no pain and nothing seemed to feel like it was going to give out or had no support.

But it just feels a little different than it had before the leap from the stairs. I sent a text to my PT and haven’t heard back from him yet. I am wondering if I maybe broke up some scar tissue on the landing.  I am contemplating calling my surgeon to see if I can get into his office today but not sure if it is necessary and maybe just paranoid. Anyone else have something like this during their recovery?

So I went out today and played my first round of golf since my ATR. I had to play in my boot since I am not in two shoes yet. I didn’t play well and didn’t expect too. But made a birdie on a par 5 and man that felt good. It was good to take another step towards normalcy.

I finally got a chance to get out and go to the driving range today. All I can say is that I have had a perma-grin on my face today. What a great feeling it was to be out there hitting balls. It took me a few swings to shake off the rust. It also took about 15 balls to decide what the best way to position my right foot with the walking boot. After I figured it all out everything was back like it was before my ATR. I hit about 75 balls. So far all is well with my AT. No swelling and no aching since I have been home,

Next step is to go out for an actual round.

Terrell Suggs practiced for the first time on Wednesday after his April ATR. Good to see someone in our situation making a swift recovery and getting back to the thing he loves. I am rooting for him and can’t wait to see him back on the football field on Sundays.

Had my 8 week post op check up today. Doctor is very pleased with the way my AT is healing. It is nice and thick. He also gave me the okay to go to the driving range to hit balls and also if I golf, I have to stay on flat areas. So I guess I better learn to hit more fairways. The first of my three wedges came out yesterday. He said to start taking one out each week and that in 4 weeks I will move into shoes. I can’t wait!

I believe I read on here that several people have gone golfing in their boot. For those who have, did you modify your swing to protect your Achilles? Did you do anything else to help protect your Achilles?

I am 8 weeks post op. went out and swung my 3 wood for awhile in the yard and felt good. Contemplating trying to play 9 in my boot.

I have been FWB in a Aircast for about two weeks now. It is great to be able to have some independence again. I don’t have a ton of swelling in my foot and my ROM is coming along nicely. But one thing I have noticed is that I do get some swelling in the back of my heel below my incision.  Also, in the morning my incision is regular skin color but by the end of the day it turns a red-ish color. My guess is due to the blood in the area from the swelling.

Any suggestions on the swollen heal? It doesn’t hurt much when walking. But it is sore at the end of the day.

It’s like when you are interested in a new car and a certain model, suddenly you realize how many are around you each day. Just went to a big meeting from work and I have run into several people who have had an ATR. You really never think this injury is that common until you do it yourself.

I went to FWB this past Saturday in my Aircast. My doctor has three gel heel inserts inside my boot. I am finding that when I am walking the gel inserts almost act like a trampoline on my heel. My foot goes down when I step and then bounces back up. This is resulting in the Aircast liner constantly rubbing on my leg and starting to cause chafing. It almost feels uncomfortable to the point where I almost want my crutches back. Anyone else experience this with their boot and any solutions?

So I got home from my sons little league practice and decided today was the day I go FWB. Wife and daughter went shopping and said let’s do this. Went into the kitchen so I could use the island to hold onto at the beginning. I could do it while holding onto the island. But when I tried without holding on it was like there was a magnet under my good foot. As soon as I picked it up it went down. Trying to walk like this really hurt. I really didn’t trust the walking boot yet to put my entire weight on my bad foot and allow my good foot to take a proper step. Took a 15 minute break and went back at it. This time as I was walking with the help of the island I just kept on going! I did it. I was now FWB. Had to call my son downstairs to check it out. Walked to the couch and picked up an empty snack wrapper and walked to the garbage can. Awesome! And I even figured out one crutch now that I don’t really need it. I am now walking, pretty slow with small steps, but looking forward to increasing that stride and get moving!