My heel has been feeling much better past couple of days. Walking, I noticed that I am now able to push off naturally most of the time. There is still a twinge of uncomfortable strain every now and then to remind me that I am still not 100%.
I hopped on the treadmill at the gym today, and I started my usual warm-up walk. After 5 minutes into the walk, my heel felt pretty good.. so I upped the speed and started jogging. My heel felt fine, so I continued for another 10 minutes. I wasn’t limp-jogging, but jogging jogging. My recovering heel was pulling its weight.
I had tried jogging about 4 weeks ago on the track, and I couldn’t do more than just limp-jogging, so I stopped. I don’t know whether it was a mental block of being hesitant to put weight on my achilles or that I didn’t have the strength in my calf muscle, but I just couldn’t do it then.
I’ll go back to the gym tomorrow and see if I can jog a little longer.
By the way, I think I figured out why the first massage therapist canceled on me. Massage Therapists are scared of people who recently had surgery.
My guess is that they don’t want to be liable for causing any damage on the healing tendon during a massage.
I went to see another massage therapist who comes periodically to my gym. When I told the massage therapist that I had surgery on my achilles less than 6 months ago, she told me that unless I had explicit permission from the doctor clearing me for massage around my achilles, she wasn’t going to work on that area.
I called another massage therapist, and I pretty much heard the same story. If the surgery was less than 6 months ago, then they won’t work on your achilles region. You need to have permission from the doctor.
Did anyone else have this problem? I haven’t asked my doctor about getting massages, so I don’t have explicit permission. I’ll give the doctor a call tomorrow.
Anyway, I am looking forward to going to the gym tomorrow. I’ll see how my heel can handle jogging a couple of miles.
14 responses so far ↓
1 daveleft // May 28, 2008 at 1:35 am
Nice to hear your solid progression, Dennis. Definitely listen to your body. I asked my PT about any re-ruptures that he has heard about and the only one(s) is from people pushing themselves too hard. There’s not a lot of nerves down there so the body doesn’t give a whole lot of warning. Sounds like you are doing it properly.
As for massages, you might want to see if any PT places will do it. Both my PT and his assistant give me a pretty deep Achilles and calf massage. And I’m only in my third week. I can understand why a regular massage therapist would be gun shy on this.
Keep up the great work. Hope to be following in your steps (literally) soon enough!
2 matts // May 28, 2008 at 9:20 am
Congrats on your progress Dennis! Are you going to try and play basketball ever again?
3 Tom // May 28, 2008 at 10:11 am
Good work Dennis! Sounds like you’re doing well and progressing nicely. Thanks, too, for the info on the massage.
4 eriedutchgirl // May 28, 2008 at 10:31 am
Dennis,
The beginnings of jogging in less than 4 months! Terrific! Inspiring!
So what was your before-this-miracle routine? Walking on the treadmill regularly? How long? Focusing on the right gait, or trying to build a little speed? I’ll probably be cleared for PT after my 7wk post-op appointment tomorrow, so just wondering how regular your exercising was, and what your focus.
But back to YOU… Great job on the jogging and keeping at it, slow and steady. Very exciting!
As to massage, I am realizing that I hit it lucky with my therapist, because she works out of a PT office and sees post-trauma patients a lot. You might have more luck if you call PT offices and ask THEM to refer you. They probably have some therapists that they feed clients too, and would be more likely to be familiar and comfortable with post-trauma massage. It’s worth a shot.
5 dennis // May 28, 2008 at 12:01 pm
daveleft -
I have been going to PT about once a week, and my physical therapist does massage as part of the routine. I asked him if he could refer me to someone, and he said that he’ll look into it and let me know next time.
I agree that the body doesn’t give a lot of warning for the type of achilles rupture that I had (where there wasn’t much pain). So I think it’s best to error on the side of caution. I have been taking it slow, and I will continue to do so.
6 dennis // May 28, 2008 at 12:04 pm
matts - thanks. I plan to play only if I am in the shape for it. I am planning to step on the court next Feb 2009.
7 Doc Ross // May 28, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Dennis..
Congrats on the jogging milestone. Nice to hear that you are making progress. As for the massage, some massage therapists are reluctant due to the possibility of clots, aggravating the tendon and good old malpractice. IMHO you are fine to start deep tissue work at this stage but to make everyone comfortable a note from you surgeon would be best. With you starting more intense workouts the massage will be needed. Also don’t forget the hot tub.
Good luck
Doc Ross
8 dennis // May 28, 2008 at 12:35 pm
eriedutchgirl -
My physical therapy sessions and my exercise routine have been focusing on strengthening my calf muscle. (As well as other areas of my lower body.)
More than anything, I think walking a lot has helped me the most. I have been focusing on walking properly, making sure that my left stride matches my right stride even if I have to walk a little slower.
Of course, I wasn’t able to do this when I was first out of the boot. I did a lot of limping then, and I didn’t force myself to have a natural gait, as I can’t force my calf/tendon to recover faster. You’ll feel the limits of what you can do.. and I don’t think you should push it.
I think the key is staying active and listening to your body. If your heel is stiff/sore, rest to let your body heal. When it feels better, gradually start walking/exercising again.
This cycle of stiffness/soreness to feeling better continues, and my walking gait and stamina have been steadily improving.
I hope this helps.
9 walshie // May 28, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Nice work Dennis!
I’m so far behind you..Im jealous.
Thanks for all your work on this site, I realize its a lot of time and effort and we appreciate it, it is quite a resource.
Good luck!
10 dennis // May 28, 2008 at 6:28 pm
walshie -
Thanks, you’ll be in 2 shoes before you know it.
You are welcome. Glad that it’s been helpful. I did put a lot of time and effort into this space, but everyone’s participation is what keeps it going. Thank you!
11 kristinatl // May 28, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Yay Dennis! Have fun jogging and take it easy too! P.S. love on your anti-spam words. Very helpful. You could also put phrases for anti-spam that say…”Stupid, there are so many folks worse off than you. This is a temporary injury.”
hehehehe
12 dennis // May 29, 2008 at 2:00 am
kristinatl - glad that you like the anti-spam words.
Oh, I’ll get the “a new earth” in a book form after I am finished with the audio. It’s hard paying attention to him when driving.
I recommend watching this talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229
I think you’ll like it.
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