10 months: What ATR?
It’s been months since I’ve posted, or even visited this site that was such a regular part of my life not so long ago. I’m back to tennis as usual, captaining my men’s USTA team and playing both doubles and singles. I’m also back to my old ways of going for (nearly) every shot on court, no matter how far away, and feel like I haven’t lost a step at all. A few weekends ago I went downhill skiing for the first time post-ATR and had a blast. Prior to going, I was actually most anxious about putting on my ski boot, which is always an effort the first time out and a strain on my feet and ankles. Having accomplished that, however, the actual skiing was less of a physical hurdle. Just because it was my first time out since my ATR, I was a little tentative to start, but quickly got over that and went back to my normal style. I skied 2 full days with no problem whatsoever. With that first positive experience, I’ve now planned 2 ski trips out west over the next couple of months and am really looking forward to them.
Although not as religiously as before, I continue to stretch my Achilles, Soleus, and Gastroc muscles regularly and also work on my single-leg heel raises. I haven’t measured, but would say I’m back to full height now on my (formerly) injured leg. However, it took a while to get that last 25%. Key to achieving this for me has been to work primarily on gaining full height by way of a double-leg heel raise and then switching to one-leg and holding at full height before the eccentric contraction to the floor. In fact, I did this exclusively for a couple of months before going back to work on a single-leg heel raise. Now I do both.
Anyways, I just wanted to give those of you in the early stages of recovery some encouragement that you will get through this and you can get back to a very active lifestyle again. When it’s in front of you, it seems like it takes forever. When it’s behind you it doesn’t seem so long at all. The best advice I have is to really, really, really adhere to a physical therapy regimen. The more work you put in, the better off you will be–you may even be better than before your ATR! The healing power of the human body is quite amazing. Good luck and good healing to you all.
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That a boy! Good work! Hey, I’m in Utah. Not sure where you are planning to ski but if you’re coming out here, message me and I’ll give you all the good spots to ski, eat, etc…. Congrats!
DavidK - I remember your post about ATR Recovery Full Accounting. Most of my surgery-related bills had come in at the time of your post and I remember thinking that my cost (taking medical insurance into consideration) was very close to yours. Anyway, from what you’re saying it sounds like I am going to have to work continue working on heel raises in the coming months to get the rest of my calf back. I’m still trying to decide on Colorado or Tahoe for my next ski trip. Good luck and Enjoy skiing!
And don’t forget that Whistler is amazing — and ~20% less expensive for Yanks now that the Cdn$ has sunk from ~$1 to ~$0.80! It could use a bit more snow this season, but there’s still good coverage, despite today’s ~24 hours of solid rain all the way to the peaks, a mile above the village. If it had been a few degrees cooler, this storm would have been EPIC!!
Wifey and I skipped the ski day today (and I NEVER do that!), but our ski-instructor pal / house-guest skied all afternoon and says we missed some good stuff. Tomorrow. Neither ATR has been a factor in my skiing since ~4 months in — not that every OTHER part of my body is perfect!
David - all good stuff! I am just beginning the road back to tennis. Started with my usual doubles group last week and everything felt good - although I am trying very hard to not chase down every shot. I have found the return to skiing pretty easy - especially once I had a boot fitter work a bit on my boots to accommodate my slightly “bulkier” Achilles. Congrats on your recovery and have a great time skiing - you were an inspiration for me the whole way!
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Hi David, it sounds like your recovery is complete and that is fantastic! I am 5+ months and also doing well. Also have begun to forget that I was injured. Hope you get lots of snow!