I have taken a break for almost two weeks from jogging as my achilles felt sore and uncomfortable for several days after my 2nd jogging experience. My achilles finally feels better, and I went to the gym for another 15 minute walk-jog and other exercises. This time, I walked a bit longer, but I began to run a little faster than last time. I was under 12 min/mile this time around for few minutes. After I stopped running, I didn’t have that odd numbing sensation like I did the time before.
It could be that I was rushing it a bit last time, but at least it felt better this time around. The improvements seem very subtle after a few months, so it’s really hard to feel that you are getting better. But I think your body continues to heal in different ways that we can not easily notice… So I’ve come to accept this, and not get too frustrated with my progress/regress.
This is amusing.. I nearly fell off the treadmill today during the cool down period. I misjudged that the treadmill was going to stop sooner than it actually did, and I was wiping my face with the towel, while expecting the treadmill to stop. Well, it didn’t stop, and I was basically standing still on a moving treadmill and it nearly carried me right off the edge while I had my head covered with the towel. I caught myself just in time.
I no longer wear my dress shoes as it really hurts my heel, and I’ve been wearing my dress-sneakers, and they are very comfortable. My walking has gotten a lot better, and I don’t really limp now.
However, I am still hesitant in situations where I end up stretching my achilles, like going down stairs. I know that I have full range of motion, and that it is okay for me to walk normally down stairs. It’s a mental thing. I need to practice going downstairs and get used to the idea that it’s okay to let my achilles withstand some tension and I need to convince myself it’s not going to snap.
It sure is a long road to recovery, but I knew that..
41 responses so far ↓
1 Jim // Jun 10, 2008 at 2:25 am
That’s awesome. That’s a good idea to give it a rest. I had been having a lot of pain in the incision area and I was working it pretty hard daily. I decided to go every other day, with a rest day in between. My progress seems to have sped up a bit since I eased off. I ran about 40 yards on the concrete today. It wasn’t pretty and I can feel it now! One exercise they have me do at PT is stand with the bad leg on a step, and touch the next step down with the heel of the good leg, while only flexing at the knee and ankle. It makes you stretch and strengthen your bad leg, and get it used to stairs.
2 daveleft // Jun 10, 2008 at 3:44 am
Great news, Dennis. And glad to hear that you saved yourself on the treadmill…the Yahtzee story would have competition for worst ATR around here!
I am on the cusp of “normality” and am starting to feel what all of you ahead of us newbies have been feeling. I picked up (actually, two of my friends did the lifting) an exercise bike and have to do everything in my power to keep from going past the beep at the end of the work out. 18 minutes at low? Puh-lease. Six weeks ago I could have done that with my little toes. I never thought take-it-slow-and-easy could be so hard.
Really appreciate knowing what is coming down the road. Keep up the good work. And I’ll make certain to be careful with the towel at the end of my sessions!
And the stairs? Don’t even wanna think about those bastards yet.
3 ross // Jun 10, 2008 at 7:07 am
Dennis..
Great news. Glad to hear that you are making progress day by day. I agree with the shoe thing..have not worn dress shoes yet as when I wear the ones I have it definitely rubs on the enlarged tendon. So it looks like a trip to the store and try and figure which brand works best for us ATRs.
As for the stairs, time will take care of that mental thing. Have you tried the stairmaster or elliptical at the gym?? That might help get over the mental stair block.
Keep up the work and thanks for all that you do.
Doc Ross
4 eriedutchgirl // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:05 am
Dennis,
Glad to hear the you had a good jogging experience! I’m sooo looking forward to that myself. Just gotta keep myself moving steadily in the slow lane for a while. Your posts keep me patient and keep me humble. Thanks. I walked a nice 15 minutes on the treadmill yesterday, focusing on walking right and keeping a smooth motion. Today my leg feels so nice and loose for a change. probably just coincidence, but I’ll take my victories where I can!
And boys, I don’t even want to hear about your dress-shoe woes! I was in trial all last week in pant suits and bright white-and-green running shoes. I’m sure opposing counsel was intimidated by my fashion sense. I have a feeling that I am months from attractive shoes.
5 brendan // Jun 10, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Dennis, Jim, and Ross - you guys are still an inspiration to me. I’ve been lucky to get to the gym once/week…and although I’m making progress, I’m sure it could be going faster. I have been bike commuting daily…but if I want to hit my single leg calf raise by July 4th (4 months)..I’ve got to get my butt in gear! Between the kids, work, the yard, etc…I’ve got to reprioritize. Thanks for the continued postings and comments..it keeps me going!
6 ross // Jun 10, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Brendan…
Was wondering where you were. Get your butt going. I know you’re trying to catch up on life but you better than anyone knows you HAVE to do your rehab. Stop screwing around.
Doc Ross
7 Jim // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Walshie, I’ve got a fairly ginormus bump where they reconnected mine. It is going down though. Almost looks like I’m smuggling a golf ball.
8 John Skier. // Jun 11, 2008 at 9:11 am
Ross - I think the stairs and eliptical are great ideas. My friend Go 11 swears by the eliptical (ATR March 07).
My ROM is almost 100% compared to the right leg but still hesitant to extend going downstairs.
You gotta do it Brendan - although you are doing a good job commuting the bike. (And you are eco-friendly). It’s really tough to figure it out when I travel. I got the “lecture” from my physical therapist last week that it was “up to you”.
My hiking boots really irritate the “lump”. My loafers (H.S. Trask) actually are pretty low and don’t seem to bother it much. You might try those.
John
9 marianne // Jun 11, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Dennis,
I would really appreciate some help on my blog set-up. I am not very computer literate…could you help me get my “timeline” up in the top right corner of my page, and for some reason the META shows up in two places on my page and i don’t know how to remove one of them…. Everyone else’s pages look so organized and mine is a mess– i’d appreciate any help organizing and eliminating unnessary widgets, etc. I don’t want the recent comments “gravaters”… Help……
Thanks so much for this awesome site!!! I survive on it daily.
Marianne
10 dennis // Jun 11, 2008 at 7:10 pm
marianne -
I changed the layout for you. I think you had most of it setup already. You just had to remove the widgets from “sidebar 1″, and then go to “sidebar 2″ and add them there.
Let me know if it looks okay now.
11 ross // Jun 11, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Dennis..
Found an interesting article on shoe/sneaker types.
As we are now in 2 shoes I have been trying to do some research on what would be best post surgery, give the most stability, and came across this
http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/15/02/21.html
As I research more I will forward it to you. Also will be receiving my orthotics this week and will post info on them. Actually found orthotic flip flops…
Keep up the good work.
Doc Ross
12 dennis // Jun 11, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Doc Ross - Thanks for the information. I’ll post it on the main site.
13 daveleft // Jun 11, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Doc Ross,
Appreciate all your research…especially as I am scheduled for 2 shoes next week. I know which ones I won’t be wearing–the cruel shoes that gots me here in the first place. I’m planning to start off with my lightweight cross trainers. What did you all start with? And did you use any wedge in them? Thanks.
14 craig // Jun 11, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Thanks, for the post Doc Ross. This line certainly caught my attention, “too little flexibility leads to plantar fascitis and Achilles’ tendon strain.”
Based on feedback from PT I, too, am expecting to go to 2 shoes within another week, and have this new-found interest in shoes (still can’t meet my wife’s Carrie Bradshaw-esque fetish though).
I’m curious if there are either commonly published specifications on shoes that one might pay attention to, or if there are any sites which provide a rating / evaluation of shoes. I’ll do some research and post any info I can come up with.
15 walshie // Jun 11, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I hopefully go 2 shoes near the end of June…please tell me what kind you guys got b/c I dosed off halfway thru that article (no offense, doc).
16 craig // Jun 11, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Some worthwhile links for shoes. For most of the shoes, don’t expect to end up on the cover of GQ or Glamour, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many sandals were out there…
recommended shoes for achilles tendonitis or plantar fascitis: http://www.healthyshoestore.com/conditions-achilles-tendonitis.html
Thoughts on shoe construction/performance: http://www.achillestendon.com/Footwear.html
Shoe reviews: http://www.zappos.com/reviews/
17 walshie // Jun 12, 2008 at 6:41 am
FYI
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/summer-flip-flops-may-lead-to-foot-pain/?em&ex=1213416000&en=9a02520dedf4db89&ei=5087%0A
18 marianne // Jun 12, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Dennis,
Thanks so much for changing my blogs’ layout. It looks great.
With much appreciation,
Marianne
19 eriedutchgirl // Jun 12, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Dennis—
A good video showing what surgery entails. thought it might be helpful to newbies…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YK_qLk1alw
20 dennis // Jun 12, 2008 at 7:45 pm
eriedutchgirl -
Hi, looks like it’s already on the site.
http://achillesblog.com/just-ruptured-your-achilles/
Still thanks for the link though, and please let me know if you find other links that may help all of us in our recovery.
21 dennis // Jun 13, 2008 at 12:38 am
Thanks everyone.
I’ve created a separate page under “Rehabilitation” on the main site for information relevant for 2-shoes and FWB state:
This will be a page for information on footwear, biomechanics on walking after ATR injury, etc..
http://achillesblog.com/rehabilitation/infor-for-2-shoes-fwb/
22 Alan // Jun 13, 2008 at 1:57 am
Hey Dennis-
Glad to hear you got some running time in. Its does fee lgood to get the first one under your belt. I ruptured mine last october (2007). I started hitting the treadmill in March, but found that it was still a bit painful at times. Instead of trying to push it, I hit the eliptical extra hard and started going to a few spin classes. Today I just logged 4 miles - no pain at all. I highly suggest taking it slow and taking an extra month to get where you want to be. I’m very glad i did. True, it could have been ok, my the achilles feels solid today so I’m glad it worked out they way it did.
23 dennis // Jun 13, 2008 at 10:18 am
Alan -
Glad to hear that you are back to running. Thanks for the advice on elliptical training. I’ll give it a try next time I am at the gym. I’ve been taking it slow and steady as it looks like patience is key to this recovery.
24 Alan // Jun 13, 2008 at 1:36 pm
You bet - yes, the key is patience. I became a bit frustrated because I thought I was healing faster and that I was ” ahead of the curve”. Because the first 3 or 4 months you see a dramatic improvement, it made me a bit too optimistic. The latter months the healing process is slower. At one point I felt like something must be wrong…but alas, after a few more months it became stronger and one day I realized the little aches and pains I had frequently experienced were no longer occuring. I dont know when they stopped, just day realized it didnt hurt anymore.
Good luck with the rehab - I’ll check in periodically .
25 Tom // Jun 13, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Alan - I’m experiencing the same feelings you just described. After thinking that maybe I wasn’t doing enough, I’m now realizing that maybe I’ve been trying to do too much. So, I’m working in a little more rest and more patience. How far along are you with your recovery?
26 Alan // Jun 14, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hey Tom - i ruptured by achilles back in October, so about 8 months along. I’m playing light tennis now and steady jogging (No hills) about 15 miles a week. Its a slow climb but again, I’m glad a waited until month 7 to get back into it. The doctor gave the go ahead to jog after six months, but I spent the first month just stretching. Plus, I’ll admit I was still a bit scared to test the wheel out completely.
27 Marius Bakken, 5k runner & marathon enthusiast // Jun 22, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Dennis,
Good to read about your recovery process. I am a two time Olympic runner that came across your blog when googling achilles recovery. Be careful with the progress now, I have been through all of that myself with 5 achilles operations total + all the hard work to get back into running again.I am now finally fine. Will keep on checking your blog in the future. Best of luck.
28 Jim // Jun 23, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Most excellent ice bag recipe…
I hate making an ice bag every time I want ice. I also hate frozen peas and corn, their specific heat is too low, they don’t hold enough cold. I was trying to figure out a better way to get some serious cold on my leg that I can still shape to my needs, without buying those overpriced, sometimes leaky gel ice packs. It’s pretty simple.
Choose your container. I am using one of those screw off lid type ice bags, or you can use a ziploc bag or whatever (I plan to make a big flat one with my Foodsaver). The trick is to mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 parts water and put this in the ice bag. What you end up with is a super cold slush that you can form to your needs, with no hard lumpy spots. It stays very cold for a long time too, as the water takes longer to heat up than peas and corn. The things you come up with when you have extra time on your hands…
29 dennis // Jun 23, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Jim -
That’s a very good suggestion. Using rubbing alcohol. great idea!
30 dennis // Jun 23, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Marius - thanks for your advice. I’ve been patient and consistent with my recovery so far, and I’ll continue with the exercises. Just curious, what was the reason for 5 achilles surgeries? thanks.
31 Tom // Jun 24, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Jim - Thanks for the ice pack recipe. I’m always looking for new ideas, so I had to give your suggestion a try. Works great! I’ve been using Ace brand ice packs which are good, but they don’t get as cold as I like and warm too quickly. Your little concoction gets a bit colder and stays cold. Thanks!
32 Jim // Jun 25, 2008 at 2:03 am
Thanks Tom, I’m glad you tried and liked it. You can use less and less alcohol until you get it the firmness you like.
33 Jim // Jun 25, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Hi all,
I was suprised by this at the front door today, the prostretch.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GAAXGK
My GF ordered it for me because I talked about it a lot. She ordered it along with a book called “Stretching” by Bob Anderson and it shipped free. I have just glanced at the book, but it looks great. Lots of simple drawings and stretching plans for many sports and activities. My initial impression is that I really like the Prostretch. For those who bike with clip in pedals, it’s almost like the stretch you can get clipped into a pedal, but better. I feel I can hit a lot of spots I just can’t get on a curb or stair. I think it will travel with me in my workout bag. She didn’t know, but if you search and buy via the Amazon banner at the top of the Achillesblog page, Achillesblog will get a bonus. Not selling anything, just a piece of gear I really like so far.
Jim
34 Marius Bakken, 5k runner & marathon enthusiast // Jun 29, 2008 at 9:01 am
Hi again Dennis,
Reason for my 5 operations was a partial rupture in my left achilles (during a hill workout) that needed two operations. Three operations in the right one, two of which were insertional the other mid-tendon.
Read your last post on the recovery process. I can feel with you on the constant soreness thing going on - and the frustrating feeling of things “standing still”. But just keep on doing the work - you are progressing and you’ll be fine eventually.
Concerning the scar, if it gives you problems (the scar may also be one of the reason for the soreness) an option is to have cortisone injections in the scar tissue. It is a very, very common procedure to reduce the scar. Did that myself to a similar scar on the right side. Worked well (3 times 3 weeks apart) and reduced it about 2/3.
Again, good luck and keep up the good work.
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