eastcoastrunner’s AchillesBlog

Today is exactly 5 months since my Debridement and Tendon Repair Surgery.

I’m getting back to my active self, although far from 100%. I am still having pain at the spot where the screw is on the back of my heel–and I have a pretty good sized Bump there again. I find that Bump very distresssing for several reasons: I had a huge Bump pre-surgery which was the boney growth that had to be taken off the insertion (some form of Haglunds). It also rubs against the back of my shoes causing pain in the incision/screw area. But this bump seems to be softer than the boney bump pre-AT was, so I think it’s just swelling. I hope. If it’s not better in a couple weeks I’ll check in with the Ortho again. He did tell me that as I got active again, it would feel like I “did something” to it for a while and that was normal. (that comment seems odd until you realize that my Ortho had exactly the same surgery and is speaking from his own personal experience) I have found Skutr’s suggestion of pre-wrap and Kinesio tape to pad the incision/screw area to help. (Thanks, Skutr!) My whole foot still aches every night while I “try” to sleep. It doesn’t bother me much during the day while I am active, but at night when I stop it hurts enough to keep me awake. Does this happen to anyone else?

Road biking: Once or twice a week @ about 15mph (not fast but comfortable) and now I’m able to ride even big hills. Longest I’ve rode post AT so far is 25 miles, although I’m thinking about doing an organized 50 miler in a few weeks.

Indoor Cycling: back to teaching my Spinning classes once a week as normal with all positions. Feels so good to sweat!

Running: I am running every other day as I build my endurance back up. My gait is  “off” a bit as I’m still lacking the flexibility in my AT ankle both front and back. On the roads I’m running 2-3 times a week about  3 miles with just a bit of walking  if needed. (my usual route is mostly flat with 2 hills). I’m running on the Trails 5-6 miles usually 2 times a week. I hike all the more difficult trails and run the smoother and flatter trails. I am up to about 50% running/50% walking  mixed single track and fire road. I am able to run up the smaller, smoother hills now. I’ve started running the downhill trails at a faster clip, too I’m an assistant coach to a very talented high school Cross Country team. I can’t run with the kids (haha, couldn’t pre-AT either! They are fast!), but I’ve been able to run around during practices every day to coach them. We are very lucky to have groomed forest trails 1 mile from the school and grassy horse trails as our Home Course.

PT: I’m down to once every 3 weeks. I do my exercises at home pretty regularly. I still can’t do a “pretty” single leg standing calf raise, but I can get my heel about 1″ off the floor most days– and higher after PT massage.

So, I am trying to be patient with easing back to “normal”. But like most of us, patience isn’t my strong suit.