What a long stange trip it’s going to be….

I’ve never heard of preventative surgery. Would the recovery process be better than a repair after a tear? If it’s similar I would not see the benefit in doing it. Anyways so sorry to hear about you tearing your other tendon. It is crazy though, I can hear (read) the difference in your outlook on this injury vs someone who just sustained this injury for the first time. Great outlook! Courtney Kupets an olympic gymnast also tore both her achilles 4 years apart and she went back to gymnastics after both tears.

Hello Diane,

No, that was never presented as an option. Sorry I am no help, as my situation may be a bit different.

I do wish you good luck with everything moving forward and have a good day!

Did your surgeon ever suggest doing a preventative surgery on your other leg? My surgeon wants to do an achilles lengthening/strengthening surgery on my other leg (recovering from rerupture surgery).

I’m in a similar boat. I was FWB after 2 weeks post op. I felt it was really odd i had no pain or discomfort. I only have tightness taking a step fwd. Were you walking normal at 4 weeks with no limp?

Damn, sorry! We all probably have the fear of rupturing the other one. I did mine in 2011 playing tennis and I started playing again in 2012, but I am always fearful of rupturing the other one. Those scooters are great, I hated crutches.
You can see in my blog that I pushed the limits to the max and got in shoes in about 8 weeks, but probably not recommended for all. I say push yourself as much as you can, but just be careful on every step.
Cheers!

Yikes - so sorry for both of you. I just got my repair done a few days ago after a bball induced rupture. I really want to be able to play again without fear of re-rupture or rupturing the other one. Does anyone know what can be done besides normal strengthening and stretching to help prevent this? Are there braces that can be worn (like the ankle sprain preventing lace up kind)? I did a little searching and didn’t find much.

SecondtimeRound,

Non-surgical, that is interesting. Did you really not have a choice? What is the timeline or steps for your recovery?

I find it amazing that your achilles will somehow fix itself without surgery. How was it explained to you?

Hope your recovery treats you well and have a great evening!

it has been five years since I ruptured my left Achilles playing basketball. Took 4 years off from playing ball again but made it back on the court. Had a good run for the past year. The surgically repaired tendon felt strong but the right one did not. Despite really “babying” the right Achilles it eventually ruptured about 4 weeks ago while playing. Too high for surgery this time so going the non surgical route. Going with all the gadgets this time, didn’t use any the first time. Highly recommend the roller foot, despite a couple of awkward tumbles :). Have the boot now with an extremely high heel lift. Still hate using crutches on stairs…did anyone try the flexleg? Curious if it works well

I’ve only read a few posts, but it seems like there is still a lot of diversity on recovery timelines and treatments. I was lucky enough to find this blog before seeing a doctor some 6 years ago. The blog taught me about the different treatments/recovery strategies and provided the insight needed to select the right surgeon (more aggressive being the right way in my opinion).

My surgeon appears to be well respected with his affiliation and appointments within several medical associations. He told me that not a lot has changed in regards to this procedure. He did mention that there have been some advancements for non-sugical solutions, but he recommended surgery in my case. So we didn’t really get into the non-surgical. However, I think those solutions were more designed for sedentary or elderly individuals.

From what I can tell, this blog remains a great reference for individuals going through this life altering event. During my original rupture, the words of people in my real life rang hollow when discussing the future. This site provided real insight, support, and knowledge from individuals going through the same process.

Since so much time has gone by between your ruptures and using this blog, I was wondering if you see any changes in treatment, protocols, technology, etc…between the first rupture and now…it was what, 6 full years ago?

Would love to hear your take on that.

thanks in advance!

Thanks HWGA,

I appreciate the response. It was kind of funny when the second one gave away. There was no pain, just an itemized list immediately emerging in my head to start the healing process.

Once you feel that pop once, you never forget. There was no confusion, just clarity for what lies ahead. Sorry about missing the scooter. I have not left my house yet, bt just getting from A to B in the house is a lot easier. If I didn’t have a problem with being in public and not being 100 percent, I could probably do pretty much anything with the scooter.

Sounds like you are already through the process. Good luck with everything else!

Oh thats unbelievable odds that you would rupture on your first time back on the court. I have ruptured both as well and know too well that sickening feeling when number two strikes. It is somewhat easier the second time around, knowing that you have come through it once is a big help. I missed out on using the scooter both times- silly me. Good luck!

btw - yay for 992s. LOL.

Kudos to you for going FWB in two weeks. I think I said it on my post but yeah, my personal thought is that it’s better for me to be “walking” ala Uncle Fester/Frankenstein style than to let the rest of my leg muscles totally deteriorate while I’m R.I.C.E.’ing.

Already out of the boot in 4 weeks seems pretty early, but I guess your doc would know. After reading some of people’s blogs…I’m getting to realize that every experience is quite unique and there are so many approaches to the healing process. It is definitely nice to know I’m not the only one with the fear of re-rupture while also having a deep determination to get back out there. But I think I’m going to do things differently this time around. I’m going to take my “workouts” more seriously and have a regular regimen in addition to the sports and other activities.

I don’t know why it didn’t really occur to me that I could/would rupture my other tendon. I got to thinking that it was a freak accident the first time around because I’m rather young but turns out that weak tendons run in my family - go figure that I would find out “after the fact”. Anyway, guess my point

Hello from a fellow Iowan. Which medical facilities are you going to? I’m from NE Iowa.

I can imagine that slip of yours must have scared the heck out of you. Like you I have a constant pain in my leg. I guess we can comisserate together. The recovery hurts worse than getting the actual injury. I’ll be thinking of ya when I pop my next two vicadin in about 10 minutes!

Hey Dax, well the hardest part is right now. I fell the day after as well–I think we all do. Hurt like a b****. As for sleeping my covers were out of the question, I just used blankets and slept well courtesy of our good friends Percocet and Vicodin (ibuprofin does wonders too because of the anti-inflammatory effects, and can be taken at the same time as the others). The pain I think is due to a) your incision (you just got cut open and deeply) and b) the inevitable swelling. For A take some pain meds and for B keep the foot up as high as possible as much possible–we all say it but it does make a HUGE difference–and ice. Not doing so can slow recovery and healing, not to mention add to your physical pain. The overall pain is shortlived hoever, and will soon subside.

So did you get a nice splint along the back of your leg, with a big wrap around the whole thing?

daxmatthew: How did your surgery go? Are you okay? Hang in there. The worst for me was the first 48 hours post-op. It keeps getting better from there!

Well, it looks like things are happening more quickly for you than they are for me. I know that my recovery will not be as aggressive as yours. I am looking forward to seeing how everything turns out for you. Good Luck on your surgery Tuesday. Hopefully I will be right with you within a day or so.

sounds like aggressive prototocols might be right for you. i actually talked with my middle of the road doc about protocols that are more aggressive than the standard 6 weeks in cast, and decided against. My doctors rather compelling point was that t he worst thing that can happen in Achilles recovery is re-rupture, not 6 weeks in a cast instead of 2.

It seems that aggressive protocols are worth the risk for those who HAVE to be mobile early (earn money by standing on your feet) . I earn money sitting on my butt and really don’t want to re-rupture. What I haven’t found is good studies on risks associated with early mobility.

Of course last week when I was still in a cast, I was strongly in favor of aggressive treatments. Get me out of this damned cast now! In boot and mobile now so I’m a little more patient

Still - good for you for the courageous approach. Everything is always better when you do it your own way.

Dax–absolutely awesome and I am glad you had the courage to question your dr. and treatment protocol. Good luck on Tuesday too–you will be exactly 4 wks after me and with your good attitude will probably pass me!

WOWWWWIEEEE!!

The BEST post I have ever read here on the ol’ blog! YOU Rock!

I am celebrating four months post op this week! :)))) I had a cast for ONE week only and then the boot but had to make sure that I was NOT weight bearing for the first four weeks. My Achilles was completely removed from the bone, bone “spur” removed and tendon lengthed and re-attached. I think the awesome “sewing” in a controlled way saved me, coupled with the experience of the Doc! I spoke to one of his nurses who had the same thing done which helped (I was lucky)

The PT i had was a joke. I went to seven visits and quit and they sent me a bill (not discussed before for more than the surgery!!!). HA!

My Doctor informed me of everything he could, did a fantastic job, (even though it was more extensive than anticipated) and then the follow up has been awesome. Good UPDATED surgeons are out there, if you look for them. If not, the insurance companies help with protocols. If a Doc tells you he just wrote a book chapter on the subject, it kinda helps to trust him . As a nurse, I know what can happen. Through sometimes no fault of

Well I am up to 3 different doctors offices at the moment, my primary care physician, the MRI, and the specialist. I believe I have one more to go, that being the surgical building. You were lucky, I was in that MRI machine for about 50 minutes. It wasn’t uncomfortable, except for the room which was FREEZING!!

Hey, just thinking about your MRI today and waiting to hear what you found out. Hope you aren’t hurting too bad. Hang in there!

-Smish

Hey daxmatthew–reading this blog helps, but be sure to try to get out if you can. For around the house and worker I rented a Roller Aid (http://roller-aid.com/) and that really helped so I could carry things like drinks and food, help with laundry, you name it. Stairs still suck but oh well.

Hey good luck today too on the MRI, and hopefully your dr. gets your surgery scheduled right away. Keep us updated.

Dax- Getting your place ready is a good idea. Don’t need any tripping hazards. I can relate to your story some. I’m doing this recovery pretty much solo. What I did to cope with some of the boredom was read as many stories on achilles blog as I could. I think I know as much as my surgeon. I caught up on some Lost season DVDs & did as little as possible because I don’t want any set backs. I tried to break the injury down in stages. Splint-cast-boot-2 shoes. I found that has helped me mentally.

One of the biggest parts for me was just waiting to have the surgery done. Once that was done I was okay. I know it’s a cliche and I didn’t believe it but each day DOES get better.

Happy Healing Hawkeye!

I feel your fear about the winter as when I got out of the hospital from my surgery, it had snowed and I was scared as all get out to crutch my way from the car into the house. But soon enough you will be feeling really confident and moving around quite nicely. I have rented a wheelchair so that I can keep my leg elevated but be very mobile around the house. Actually I got it so that I could be mobile at work but the doc said I can’t go back to work until after my first post-op visit. With the wheelchair, as long as you keep your food at a certain level in the frig, you can stay well fed. I pull a chair up to the stove so that I can rest my knee on it and cook. Don’t worry, it won’t take long and you will be moving around great. Not the “lumbering idiot” at all!
I can’t offer any advice about that sitting around. I am really sufferring from the boredom of it myself.
Good luck and take care.

The waiting is tough, we all want to get back to where we were pre-ATR as quickly as possible. If you do have surgery, try to get it scheduled as soon as you can.

The cast was no so bad….it made me be careful and it made me elevate my foot. But, it was indeed great to get rid of it.

It is depressing, but try to use the down time to your advantage. I read like crazy, watched lots of movies, and spent alot of time on the blog. Try to think about just gearing down for awhile…..and then gradually gearing back into normal life.

Best of luck, surgery or not, you will get better.

The waiting is tough, we all want to get back to where we were pre-ATR as quickly as possible. If you do have surgery, try to get it scheduled as soon as you can.

The cast was no so bad….it made me be careful and it made me elevate my foot. But, it was indeed great to get rid of it.

It is depressing, but try to use the down time to your advantage. I read like crazy, watches lots of movies, and spent alot of time on the blog. Try to think about just gearing down for awhile…..and then gradually gearing back into normal life.

Best of luck, surgery or not, you will get better.

Ditto daxmatthew…my first blog and I had a hoops rupture as well. Best of luck on this strange journey!

daxmatthew,
Just wanted to wish you well. Like you I am blogging for the first time. I hope that you don’t have to do as much convincing of your doctor as I did to start getting treatment. I will check out your blog, to compare with my treatment as we are on the same schedule for the most part.
Sean

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