getting better day by day
One year ago today I ruptured my Achilles Tendon. Since then I have: retired from softball, became temporarily sedentary, gained 12 lbs, endured 3+ months of grueling physical therapy…and snowboarded epic powder in CO, mountain biked nearly 400 miles of sweet sweet single track, lost 21 lbs, and have a much better perspective on life. I win 
Hang in there everyone, keep your chin up, stick to your physical therapy, be patient…and you will win too
It’s been a while since I have posted. Been pretty busy I guess! Even though I have not had a chance to post, I read the blog daily…keeps me optimistic! Thanks everyone!
I ended up wearing my cast for 3 weeks and have now been wearing a boot for almost 2 weeks. I am still NWB, so I am using crutches to get around. I seem to have adapted pretty well to my crutches and try to stay positive by thinking about the great upper body workout I have been getting. I also have a scooter that I use to help me get around at work rather quickly.
Although the atrophy in my injured leg is upsetting for me to see, my recovery seems to be going very well. I see the doc again in a little over a week and will hopefully get the ok to go PWB and start physical therapy. At my last visit, I asked my doc if he thought it would be possible for me to go on my annual ski/snowboard trip to Colorado in February (which would be 6 months post rupture). Much to my surprise, he said he feels there is a strong chance that I will be ready by February!
As we have all come to know, the recovery “tunnel” is rather long and at times seems endless. However, I am happy to write that I feel I am now starting to see the light at the end of it…which didn’t seem possible just a few weeks ago.
Even though I had a very strong feeling that my Achilles was torn, it still felt like someone punched me in the stomach when my family doc confirmed it. “Shit Dan…this isn’t good.” My doc knows how active I am (mountain biking, snow boarding, skiing, weights, etc.), so I wasn’t surprised by his response. It was as if he felt what I was feeling at that moment…a moment in which I knew my mountain biking and snow boarding seasons were over…and it was only August.
I was very surprised when he recommended a Podiatrist over a an Orthopod. I must have asked him at least five or six times if he was sure. He reassured me that the Podiatrist is an excellent surgeon and works with a lot of local runners with foot and ankle injuries. I trust my doc, so I agreed to see the Podiatrist. I must admit however, that I did do some research when I got home, and it was only then that I felt comfortable with my decision to not go to an Orthopod.
When I met with the Podiatrist, he let me know that the MRI confirmed a partial tear of my Achilles. The tear is atypical in that unlike most Achilles tears, mine tore at the junction of the gastrocnemius and Achilles. Due to the location of the partial tear, the doc decided to go with a non-surgical conservative approach. Again, I was surprised…I thought I would be scheduling a surgery, not getting a cast. I must have asked him at least five or six times if he was sure. After a long conversation with the doc, I agreed to try the non-surgical approach. Although I am happy that I do not need surgery, I will most likely always wonder if I made the right decision, especially if my Achilles…well, I won’t write it…
On my way back to the dugout, the pain started. I could hardly walk, so I hopped back on one leg. When I sat on the bench in the dugout, I noticed my calf muscles were still where they were suppose to be, however there was very little muscle tone. The walk back to the car and the drive home were brutal and I was in constant pain. When I got home, I elevated and iced my leg. I just kept telling myself “It couldn’t be an Achilles rupture. It’s just a muscle strain. I’ll be better in a couple of weeks.”
When I woke up Monday morning, it was still pretty sore. However, there was no discoloration and the swelling was minimal…which made me think it wasn’t my Achilles. I went into work that day and kept my leg iced and elevated. Even though the pain wasn’t that bad (nothing like the day before), I knew it would still be a good idea to go the doctor’s. Here was my dilemma…I already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for later in the week (Friday) because of my allergies, but Friday seemed so far away.
Tuesday wasn’t any different from Monday…not any better, not any worse. I decided that it would be a good idea to call my doctor to see if I could get an appointment earlier in the week. The only available appointment was on Thursday. Not what I was hoping for, but it was better than Friday. As the days slowly went by, I started to get a bad sinking feeling. I could not stand on my toes and my calf muscles still would not contract. This wasn’t just a muscle strain…it couldn’t be.
I still remember learning about Achilles tendon ruptures as a Sports Med major in college…dude in his mid-30’s, ”weekend warrior” activity, loud popping sound, long recovery.
I am very active (mountain biking, strength training, snow boarding, etc.) and in pretty decent shape, so the idea of playing softball seemed harmless…
Double Header, Game 2: As I was rounding third base and heading for home, I picked up the pace thinking the throw was on its way. About half way to home, I felt like I got hit in the back of my left calf with the softball. Next thing I knew, I was laying on the ground ten feet away from home plate. I looked up and saw the catcher bobbling the ball and I realized I had a chance to make it home…I just couldn’t get up. I started crawling franticly, yep crawling, hoping I would make it. I lunged toward home plate and beat the tag.
Laying face down in the dirt, with my hand still on home plate, I knew what had most likely happened…dude in his mid-30’s, ”weekend warrior” activity, loud popping sound, long recovery.
