Almost 10 weeks - PT and other lessons learned

Posted on June 1st, 2012 by dlmack

Hi All! It’s been quite some time since I last posted but I have been following everyone’s stories behind the scenes. Welcome to those of you who have joined recently. Try to enjoy the mandatory “down time”. It does get better!

I transitioned from the cast at Week 4 and have been in the boot for about 6 weeks. I ditched the crutches (but still kept the boot) about 2 weeks ago and loved the freedom that came with it! Now, I have been working on transitioning from the boot to 2 shoes. I’m mostly 2 shoes indoors and wearing the boot when I need to go outside or know I will be on my feet for a period of time. I think it is more of a mental game at this point and I feel more protected with it on. But, at some point, I know I just need to get over it!

I have had 4 sessions of PT, so far, and feel that it is a great help. I am writing this for those of you who are behind me in recovery…I was terrified of going to PT for fear that they would push me too far or that I would be in pain from them trying to break up the scar tissue…but, I quickly realized that the PT is there to help and that they would never push me to do something that might hurt the recovery process. We have been keeping things pretty basic (bike for warm-up, inverted squats and holds to easily stretch the tendon, walking on special treadmill, ROM exercises, massage, and ice). One cool thing my PT has is an anti-gravity treadmill. It’s a regular treadmill but the bottom has a chamber that forces air upwards in order to only put a certain % of body weight as you walk. I want one for when I am running again - it’s like walking on air!! So far, I have only walked at 50% body weight but it’s forcing me to use my ROM. I will keep at it and the tendon always feels in better shape leaving than when I first started.

The other thing that has been tremendously helpful to me has been compression socks. I was having challenges with the swelling in my ankle so I ordered a pair of Futuro Firm Compression Knee High socks with open toe (many places online sell them). I wish I ordered them sooner! Once I started wearing them, I have pretty much used them every day. They help tremendously with the swelling, cover/protect the scar, and are light enough to wear with the boot or sneakers. My PT was surprised that I was able to stand the Firm Compression so you need to judge for yourself what works best for you but I can’t say enough good things about them!

As for driving…as a righty ATR, that’s another story. I live in a very congested area (NJ/NY Metro) so I am only “allowed” to on off hours for another 2 weeks or so, which will put me at 12 weeks. Can’t wait until then so I can stop asking people for rides everywhere!

WOW - sorry for the long-winded post - I warned you it had been a while! Best luck to everyone!

3 Comments »

First Post-Op Appt…thought this day would never come!

Posted on April 11th, 2012 by dlmack

I had my first post-op appointment yesterday and I could not wait to get my cast off for a few minutes and to see what was underneath. Well, I had my 5 minutes…doc came in and viewed the wound and was very pleased with the progress. I thought it looked crazy but that’s just me…! He pulled out a few ’staples’, made me wiggle my foot a bit, and then put me into a plaster cast for another 2 weeks. All in all…a pretty good appointment.

As for everything else, I was a bit stir crazy by day 2 but have been managing OK. Lots of people wondering when I will be able to come see them in ‘the city’ (NYC) and I’m like…well, I am on crutches so public transit is not really an option and it’s my right Achilles so I’m not really able to drive…so, maybe in a few weeks when I get the ‘boot’ I will be able to be a bit more adventurous! They really just don’t understand!! Ah well…soon enough!

3 Comments »

WOW! I had no idea…

Posted on March 26th, 2012 by dlmack

…there was such a huge community of fellow ATR companions!

My name is Deanna and I injured my Achilles playing volleyball on Tuesday, March 20. It was the 2nd to last game of the season and we were in a 3-way tie for second place - with the top two teams advancing to the Playoffs. We needed to win all 3 games in order to secure our spot. We warmed up and were less than 5 minutes into the first game when I “tripped over the lines” on the court. I thought that the guy behind me had kicked my leg because one minute I was going up to hit the perfectly set ball and the next thing I knew, I was a pile on the floor. My teammates looked at me to see if I could still play since we need 2 women on the court at all times or need to play with 5 players. Well, I got up as if I was going to shake it off…like any other time with a tweak of a muscle or ankle - only this time, there was no shaking it!

Somehow, I managed to scoot off the court and proceeded to cheer the team on to 3 wins! Guess they didn’t need me after all!

I went to the ER that night where the half-asleep physician on call told me that I needed an orthopedic because my Achilles was ruined. Needless to say, I found my own ortho and scheduled surgery for Monday, March 26.

Less than a week later, my ortho seemed quite proud that I had a complete rupture and he explained that it made it much more straightforward for him to repair. I guess we need to be thankful for the little wins, huh?

Back to the subject of this post…I am so grateful to find this blog because in all my years playing sports, I was not overly familiar with ATR so I spent the past week of sleepless nights reading many of the stories and really getting my head around the 1 year recovery time. It helped immensely and I only hope that sharing my journey will help the next person!

I was also drawn to this particular blog because I ran the NYC marathon in 2008 and it was my favorite marathon (if there is such a thing for someone who runs as slowly as I do!).

So, I have officially joined the club!

5 Comments »

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  • Recent Comments

  • normofthenorth | June 2nd, 2012 | 3:28 pm

    It’s gotta be easier to find a swimming pool where you “run” while PWB — at least when your incision can handle the soaking.

  • eastcoastrunner | June 1st, 2012 | 3:43 pm

    DLMack–I wish I had access to the AlterG treadmill! I called around and the nearest one to me is 2 hours away and costs $78.00 for a half hour session to rent. It’s not really an option for me! But it sure seems a great way to get a runner back to running.

  • kimjax | June 1st, 2012 | 2:22 pm

    Thanks for checking in! Do you drive with boot on? Do the socks cut off circulation to your toes? I hope my PT comes up with some of the cool machines I’ve read about on here - love the treadmill!

  • Janus | April 18th, 2012 | 12:54 am

    Yup. If it happens to a pro athlete, everyone just assumes he or she is done for the season. & maybe even longer. But if it happens to you or me, some people just seem to think we’re slacking or shirking — “why is it taking you so long to recover?”

    It gets better. & really, you wouldn’t want to wish it on someone else just to aid their understanding, so… consider the ATR club an exclusive one, with excellent company but infortunately a high initial entry fee.

    All best!

  • gkraemer14 | April 17th, 2012 | 8:40 pm

    Hey Deanna. Thanks for stopping by my page and for the words of encouragement. I officially accept your challenge to help you get through this, but only if you help me too of course. It sounds like you have a bit more positive outlook on the situation than I do but I promise I’m getting better at that as the days go by (kind of). Best of luck to you as you move on. I’ll be sure to check in on you from time to time. -Greg

  • smanuel23 | April 12th, 2012 | 7:24 pm

    Nice! My first appointment was 4/10 and I have my cast on for another 4 weeks so feel good about getting your next check-up in just 2 weeks.. :-)

    Hang in there

  • jimminyc | March 28th, 2012 | 5:43 pm

    Hi Deanna, nice to meet you. I guess I am a month ahead of you, my surgery was 24th February. I have found this to be such a useful site, I spend a lot of time researching and reading peoples blogs but it has made such a massive difference to my frame of mind.

    I look forward to reading how you get on and good luck with your recovery!

  • dlmack | March 28th, 2012 | 3:32 pm

    Hi Matt! Seems as if we are only a week apart in our injury/surgery timeline. I will be reading your notes all along the way and wish you luck in this process! These first two weeks pre-dr visit seem as if they will last a lifetime but it’s all part of the process. Like you said, I’m going to be really diligent in elevating in the hopes that will help in the long-run. We’re in it together!!

  • bballmatt | March 28th, 2012 | 1:07 pm

    Welcome, Deanna! I, like you, found this site after injuring my AT and researching the ‘net for a forum to help me. This is the perfect place. I’m a younger guy (26) than most ATRs it seems, but it’s good to know no matter what this group is supportive. I’m glad I’ve found a few people, like you, who’ve ruptured around the same time I have and will be able to go through the recovery with them.

    I am 20 days post ATR, and 9 days since surgery. It seems recovery times vary, but the 1 year mark seems like a good place to put a 100% recovery, Deanna. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to run, bike, play Vball or basketball (in my case) before that, but it’s a realistic timetable for it to return to strength. Welcome, and good luck!

    Eric, this is my first major injury as well!

  • dlmack | March 28th, 2012 | 10:57 am

    Hi Eric,
    Thanks for your note! I totally agree about being sporty and one day knowing something would give. I have read some of your other posts and will be hoping for a speedy recovery for you as well so that you can fully enjoy Hawaii with the fam later this year. It’s a beautiful place!

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

  • ericbabula | March 27th, 2012 | 11:34 pm

    Hi, Deanna. It is with some sadness that I welcome you to the club! But, it’s a good group of people, here, and I hope you’ll find you get some good advice from them.

    I, too, ruptured my AT playing volleyball. I have played all different sports ever since Junior High (just turned 45 on March 26th), and this is the first injury I’ve ever had that has prevented me from playing. So, in a way, I’ve been lucky to not have any major injuries (knocking on wood) for all these years. But, the way I see it, anyone who plays sports will eventually fall to some sort of injury - it’s the law of averages. So, my theory caught up to me. I’m ok with that in my mind, even though I can’t stand sitting on the sidelines while my team goes out to play every week! I’m competitive, and don’t like to even sit out a minute, when we have more than 6 people and have to rotate! But, what are you gonna do? We’re hurt. We need time to recover. Rehab will start soon enough. Do what the docs and PTs tell you to do, and we’ll get back to playing shape soon enough!

    I’m confident I’ll be back on the court. And, on my bicycles. And, hiking on the trails. And….

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