Achilles Tendon Rupture Recovery

Swelling is down, still trying to keep the foot elevated as much as I can.

As I said before, it’s difficult to elevate the foot without putting pressure on the heel. When I am at my desk, my foot is propped up with a pillow on top of the table. I have to sit a bit sideways to make sure the foot isn’t resting on the heel. Bad posture.

I’ve started to hop around a bit more to go to the bathroom, eat, etc. I wonder how bad that is for the recovery.

Called American Express to dispute the charge by www.mdnationwide.org. I’ve called them several times, and they don’t answer or return phone calls. American Express decided to just credit me back my $19.95 They are not going to dispute the claim with mdnationwide either, which I found surprising. So they are just going to eat the $19.95.. hmm.

It’s actually difficult to keep the heel elevated at all times. Every time I get up to go use the bathroom, I feel the blood rushing down to the foot and it feels like it’s going to explode.

I’ve been reading that it’s not good to put direct pressure on the incision wound, which is what happens when you lie on your back and elevate your heel. This article from the American Journal of Orthopedics recommends that you lie on your stomach or on your side while elevating the cast. The important part is not putting any pressure on the stitched area. It’s tricky to do, but not impossible.

Back is being stressed from being bed-ridden, I need to find ways to elevate my foot without damaging my back as well.

Accidental twitches of the toe during sleep that strains the achilles heel is quite painful. I am wide awake after that, the pain lingers for some time. One hell of an alarm clock. Hopefully it’s not doing any permanent damage.

I slept fitfully last night because of my throbbing, swelling ankle. The color of my toes are fine, and they are not swollen so I am hoping that this is to be expected. I am waiting to get a confirmation of this from the physician’s assistant.

I wrapped my cast in a plastic bag before a shower, I have the cast leg sticking out of the bathtub, and I use a shower chair. Yes, like an old woman.. ha ha.

The foot is slowly starting to swell up. I spent a good part of yesterday at the desk with my leg raised, but not raised above the level of my heart. I later found out that this was a big no no. I have been good about elevating my heel from then on.

I also accidentally put weight on my injured heel while moving around in the kitchen, as well as the accidental twitches of the foot which results in a slight strain on my achilles tendon. I’ve been reading that the first 2-3 weeks is a crucial time for proper healing of the incision as well as the repaired tendon. I’ve decided to stay in bed as much as possible.

I regret that the surgeon didn’t put me in a CAM Walker (boot) instead of the cast. The cast is lighter, but the toes are more exposed so there is a more of a chance for me to strain the achilles tendon. Also, I can’t exactly adjust the cast to take account for the swelling. I am starting to feel more pressure in the cast and it makes me wonder at what point I need to go see the physician.

For the pain, I am taking a generic for Lortab 7.5 500mg one in the morning and one at night. Right after the surgery, I was taking two at a time, but the pain has subsided and I prefer to not be over-medicated. I was also told that pain-killers can cause constipation, and I don’t need that either.

The $19.95 physician report from www.mdnationwide.org contained no more information than what I could find on the physician’s Department of Orthopedics website.

The report’s content:

Personal Details (name, gender)
Contact Details (address, phone number)
Education Training
(Did not have his fellowship training information that I found on the Dept. website. This is a glaring omission since he did his fellowship in Foot/Ankle Surgery, and considering that I am getting my surgery on my ankle, this is an important piece of information.)

Nationwide Disciplinary Actions (no reports on file, this is good to know but this info is freely available elsewhere)
Physician License Status (active, with the License number, this is good to know)
Board Certification (info available on his website)
Board Certification Dates ( Date is different than what I found on the doctor’s website.. hmm)
Doctor’s Special Expertise (info available on his website)
Type of Practice (Faculty Full Time, info available on his website)
Membership Affiliations (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, membership info available on their website)
Publications Written (info available on his website)

The physician’s report from www.mdnationwide.org did not provide me with any additional information about the doctor that I found to be particularly useful.

MDNationwide has a guarantee, which I will soon test:

“We guarantee no other service will provide more pertinent/relevant doctor background credential information in the context of a same search, for the same or lesser fee, given the same input, within 30 days following your request, or your money back!”

I am going to call them to get my money back. To be continued..

The pain isn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be. I’ll see the surgeon for a follow up in 10 to 14 days. And then a new cast and another follow up 2 weeks later. If all goes well, I should be going into a walking boot, and I should be able to put a bit of weight on my left leg.

So, I’ll be on crutches for 4 weeks. Rehab will start in 6-8 weeks. I should be recovered enough to walk normally in 2-3 months.

The orthopedic surgeon said that about 95% recovery is possible after a year with good, consistent physical therapy sessions. I should be back on the basketball court by then, hopefully.