It’s been 5 weeks and 2 days since the operation, and I am trying to see if my recovery progress in on par with what’s expected.
For those of you not in a cast, what is your ROM (Range of Motion) like on your recovering foot?
In trying to point my toes up, my recovering foot is slightly less flexible. I’d say from the shin to the foot, the angle is around 85 deg (less flexible), whereas the other foot is at around 80 deg (more flexible)
Pointing my toes down, my recovering foot is much less flexible. From the shin to the foot, the angle is around 160 deg (less flexible), whereas the other foot is at around 180 deg (completely flat, more flexible)
Maybe it’s better to actually measure the angles accurately somehow, but I can’t think of a good way to do it. Instead, I’ll take a couple of pictures and post it soon.
Also, how does your achilles tendon feel when it’s compared to your other achilles tendon?
I’ve noticed that the recovering tendon is much thicker.
It doesn’t feel tender to the touch (or a gentle pinch), which I think it’s a good sign.
The ankle on the recovering foot feels slightly swollen compared to my other ankle. I’ve tried elevating my foot for a very long time and there is no change in the condition of my ankle.
How does your scar look?
Most of the scabs have fallen off. (Okay, I’ve picked at a few of them.. when they were peeling off on their own.. yeah I know, it’s gross.) About 90% of the scar feels like it’s healed fine, and the remaining 10% still feels a bit rough with dry skin and feels a bit sensitive to the touch.
Please let me know if what I described is (or isn’t) on par with what you’ve experienced if you are about 4-5 weeks into the recovery. Or if you are further along, let me know if you can remember how it was for you around 4-5 week mark, or even how it is right now. thanks.
13 responses so far ↓
1 johnskier // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:36 pm
dennis - I will know more tomorrow at my (almost) 5 week check up. I think you are doing great…seems generally consistent with where I am. My bad achilles is thicker for sure.
In addition, you are the founder and will always be the Achilles Blog King. (Most blog participants don’t know that you are the Blog Founder, so we want to make sure they know) You deserve the credit dude!
2 dennis // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:06 am
johnskier - thanks. just doing my part. Everyone’s participation and feedback is what really makes this roll along.
I’d really like to build more tools that we can use to aid our recovery. (more than the Achilles TimeLine). If anyone has any ideas/suggestions please let me know.
3 Tom // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:08 am
Dennis - I’m a bit further along with recovery (just had my 10 week post op visit today) and my protocol has been different, but I’ll attempt to answers your questions. First off, it sounds like you are progressing very well. I was in the boot from week 6 to week 9 and worked on ROM during this time. I would say that I have about 80-90% of my ROM back although it takes some time in the morning to loosen up.
It is normal for the injured AT to be thicker than the other. The added thickness is scar tissue forming around the injury. I believe some of the scar tissue will break down over time, but it isn’t unusual for the injured tendon to always be a bit thicker.
I still have some swelling around my ankle which I continue to ice and elevate daily. It’s nothing significant, but I would compare it to the feeling from a minor ankle sprain.
My incisions are basically completely healed. Remember, I had a less invasive surgery that consisted of 3 smaller incisions. Therefore, I think they were able to heal a bit quicker than the single, long incision.
As I mentioned, I had my 10 week post op visit today. I am officially out of the boot. Per me doctors orders I weaned out of the boot over the last couple of weeks, and now I can put it to rest. Walking is progressing slowly but steadily. It’s odd because you think about every step you take.
One recommendation I’ll make for when people start to walk unaided again is to take it slow. It’s pretty easy to shuffle around walking flat footed, but I don’t think that helps to rebuild the strength in the foot and tendon. It is better to walk slow, trying to regain the flowing motion of pushing off with the ball of the foot and the toes rather than the heel.
Sorry for the long comment. Hope this finds everyone healing well.
4 dennis // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:16 am
Tom - thanks for the quick reply. By all means, please comment as much as you wish as your feedback as been infinitely valuable.
I would love to read your posts on your blog, but I’ll settle for lengthy comments.
5 johnskier // Mar 20, 2008 at 9:03 am
Dennis - I updated go 11’s Excel achilles worksheet (progress tracker). I can email it to you. I don’t know if it can be downloaded for use from the site but it seems like it possibly could be.
6 dennis // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:41 am
johnskier - thanks, sure that will be great. I’ll post it on the main site as soon as I get it.
7 brendan // Mar 20, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Dennis and JS -
I was thinking of an Excel sheet with Names across one row and down the columns, the weeks. In the cells matching up the weeks and the name, we can put status (ie hard cast, 20 degrees, NWB,, etc). I could work on compiling data from the various blogs/comments on this site. Maybe this is similar to the go 11’s sheet that you are speaking too JS? I just think it would be helpful to see everyone on the same sheet if possible? Let me know what you think.
8 johnskier // Mar 20, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I’ll email it Brendan…it’s similar, but I added some columns and changed it around some. It’s only for one person but it could be for many people I suppose…
9 dennis // Mar 20, 2008 at 9:24 pm
John and Brendan,
Thanks for the spreadsheet. I’ve posted both versions. (Let me know if you want just one on the site.) Disclaimer is there too. Did one of you go to law school? It’s a great disclaimer.
http://achillesblog.com/atr-progress-tracker-spreadsheet/
10 James // Apr 9, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Question - i’m 6 weeks postop, with another 6 weeks of casting. My doc said that I will not be using the boot at all, and going straight to PWB then FWB.
How long after your cast / boot comes off will you be able to walk somewhat normally again? (provided that i do all the necessary physio etc).
Looking to plan some trips, just wanted to know when I can expect to go anywhere.
11 Tom // Apr 9, 2008 at 10:05 pm
James - It seems to vary a bit from person to person. Time of immobilization and NWB seems to play a part. It took me about 2 weeks when I got out of the boot until I started “walking” with confidence. I’ve now been out of the boot for 4 weeks and I’d say that I’m walking pretty normal. I still have a little bit of a limp, my stride is a bit shorter and get tired more quickly when walking, but it doesn’t really affect my daily activities at this point.
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