csmva's Achillesblog

First Post-Op Appt - Boot & PT

csmva — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:10:43 +0000

Had my first post-op appointment today - yeah! Everything looked good and I got my boot, which I am very excited about I’ll be in the boot for another 4 weeks, NWB, but I can start physical therapy this week. My doc wants me to start with passive stretches, ROM, etc. which I think is great. He said at the next appt. he’s going to essentially “take the crutches away” - meaning, he wants me to start walking - starting PWB and then moving as I feel comfortable to FWB. I noticed a look of panic on my face and said it really would be at my pace - he has some patients that transition quickly and others that take more time. Yikes. At that point, we’ll start more strenuous physical therapy and strengthening exercised.

I feel much more comfortable in the boot - I think its a psychological thing - went into work after my appt. and they working with me to rearrange it so I can elevate as needed and I’ll go back in tomorrow! Yeah for re-entry into the world again! I was REALLY conservative over the past 2 weeks and didn’t leave the house - so today was also my first official day out - woo hoo! While I’m bummed that I’m NWB for another 4 weeks its nice to know that I can begin the count-down

1 Week Post-Op and the Onset of Boredom!

csmva — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:51:39 +0000

I am officially 1 week post-op today and a little over 2 weeks since the injury. Most of last week is a blur - yeah for pain meds (insert sarcasm) - I started to wean myself off of them over the weekend and now only take one (except for the occasional Advil) when I go to bed - something about being elevated while I sleep is extremely uncomfortable. I am hoping to wean off those this week so by this weekend I can enjoy a glass of wine I haven’t had one in three weeks (which is def. the longest spurt I’ve had in a looooong while) - needless to say I’m pretty excited

My pain level is good - I went from fairly painful in the beginning to not much now. I can feel some stinging at the back of my ankle sometimes and other pain that I associate with being in the same position too long. Ice is still my friend and will continue to be. Don’t seem to notice too much swelling, which I think is a good thing. My knee is really starting to bother me, so I will be asking my doc about that when I see him next week.

Otherwise, I’m bored. Working from home, which is working out better then expected, but still bored. I try to move locations during the day when I have someone available to move the pillows, computer, cell-phone, water bottle, etc. that seem to follow me Like most people on this site, I am/was fairly active and sitting around is driving me crazy — although its giving me lots of time to plot all the things I want to do once I’m able to be active again

p.s. not sure if it shows up on everyone’s homepage, but there is something not right about seeing a Saks add for really high heels on a site about ankle injuries

1 Day Post-Op

csmva — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:15:25 +0000

Yesterday was surgery. We got to the hospital at 6 am, I had the nerve block at 7 and the surgery began at 7:30 - unlike some others I’ve read about with the nerve block, I was completely out and don’t really remember much after they put it in. Next thing I knew, I was awake, it was about 9:30 a.m., the surgery was done. Much quicker then I had anticipated and the surgeon said it went well - it was a clean tear so it didn’t take long to sew it back together. He also made the incision on the outer side of the tendon/ankle (instead of directly behind) to avoid a nerve on the inside of the leg. I was home by 10:30 a.m.

Most of yesterday is a blur - I slept A LOT - which is good because I didn’t sleep much the night before. The nerve block was weird - my leg felt like dead weight - and one section wore off before I left the hospital (in all, they blocked a couple different groupings), so I began a conservative percocet regime. I decided by mid-afternoon that while I was grateful to have no pain, the block felt as if my leg was asleep and that feeling soon got to be rather annoying - I kept thinking - what if my foot really is asleep, what if there is no circulation - and other “great” thoughts.

About 10 pm last night it started wearing off - but only partially - I upped my meds and tried to sleep, which was only partially successful. As the block wore off, I couldn’t get comfortable and once I did, my alarm went off for more meds (once at 4:30 am for the percocet and then at 5:30 for the advil). I am also supposed to ice it for 2 hours on/2 hours off for the next 2 days - the ice is fantastic!!!

I wish I could write that I am not having pain (I’m jealous of the many blogs I read that didn’t) - but I’m elevating, icing and thus far, don’t seem to feel too much swelling. The surgeon did tell me to alternate with my leg higher and lower (although still somewhat elevated) and that seems to help when I get up to use the restroom. While I was on the couch some yesterday, I found it much more comfortable to be on the bed, so here I stay

My fingers are crossed for good sleep tonight as I start back to work (from the comfort of my bed) tomorrow and am hoping that being productive will be a nice distraction.

Too much…

csmva — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:02:34 +0000

As I have only a couple days before surgery, I decided that my splinted leg and I were going to do as much as I could manage today - went and cheered my football team to victory - which felt great - then ran some errands and visited with friends… my leg is now fairly sore and my foot is cramping! Ugh. I guess its better to learn this lesson pre-surgery then next week when I’m totally bored!

Am now also trying to figure out what to expect the day of surgery once I leave the hospital - I’m able to hobble around fairly well right now on my crutches (1-wk post ATR) but am worried that the first 24-48 hours post-surgery my mobility is going to be fairly limited. Any thoughts/suggestions would be most welcome

Hi all - new to this - ATR 9/19/10

csmva — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:59:56 +0000

Hello all! I am very excited that I’ve found this site and have really learned a lot from reading what I have thus far - with the weeks ahead, I’m grateful there is a place a can come to find support and ask the million and one questions I know I will have! I ruptured (complete) my Achilles last Sunday playing touch football - while I’m fairly athletic and have played on quite a few social sports teams (kickball, dodgeball) this was only my second football game. I took a step backwards and felt/heard the pop - and looked for the hole I knew I had stepped in - once I realized there was no hole, I started screaming/crying knowing that I had done something to my Achilles. Unfortunately, I was correct. An ER vist, MRI and surgery consult later, I’m scheduled for repair surgery in a couple days, Tuesday, Sept. 28. I’m in a splint at the moment and my pain level is pretty good (although my left knee, the leg I injured, is really starting to bother me!). The worst part was that I had just undergone treatment for Morton’s Neuroma’s (fairly painful nerve issues in the ball of the foot) and was pondering surgery for those! I had steriod injections in the balls of my feet the Thursday before my ATR - and had actually run for the first time in a couple years pain-free the Saturday before. So - this has been quite a set-back.

I’ve been working mornings for the past week and am planning on staying at home for 2-3 weeks after the surgery - working from home on my laptop (and am very grateful I am able to do so). My husband has been incredible and I my immediate family are only minutes away - although its already driving me crazy how little I feel I can do for myself and how much I am now dependent on others. My crutches are bothering my hands/wrists (I bought wrist supports today) so have rented a wheelchair and took it out tonight for its first spin - its not as supportive as I would like in terms of elevation (working on that) but was grateful to get out into the real world for a bit.

Tomorrow is day one in mental healing as I’m going to cheer my team on in their next game