I was so not confident for a day or 2 following the go ahead for PWB. Even though the OS said I can go to FWB when I felt comfortable, just that feeling like my leg was going to buckle, or the worry that I would do something to re-rupture was overwhelming. Well that went away in a hurry Sunday when I started walking with out the crutches, OMG I am in heaven. A little general soreness after a day of walking but otherwise I am feeling great.

Today was my first PT visit and was given a few ROM exercises and also some upper leg strengthening exercises. After doing a few at PT the therapist immediately notices increased ROM in the foot. Will be doing 2 per week PT sessions for a few weeks. He did say that I will be in PT for at least 3 full months before he discusses returning to my job. He also helped me with walking FWB in the boot with the proper posture to avoid some back pain I had on the opposite side of the injury.

I am happy to say that I am comfortably FWB in my cam boot and am on my way to getting back to normal. The wife said it was a huge weight off her shoulders seeing that I could walk and do a lot more without being held back by crutches. We can now finish the nursery and get ready for the baby in about a month. 

Who knew a simple thing like putting your foot down would be such a big deal?!?! I had my 5 week post op appointment today and it feels like I walked out of there with a bundle of cash in my pocket. The Surgeon and his PA came in and were thrilled with how well the incision healed and how the tendon feels and looks. They adjusted my cam boot back to neutral and said start bearing some weight on it. They told me I can go right to FWB in this boot and at my discretion! They advised to give it a few days with the crutches to get the scar tissue and the tendon to loosen up a bit. As soon as I feel comfortable I am allowed to lose the crutches and FWB as tolerable in the boot. I begin therapy next week and the OS has tentatively scheduled for me to be in two shoes on September 30th, which is just in time for the wife to start thinking about popping out that baby!

Screw Powerball, I’m happy as ever after today!!

I have read a ton of posts on this blog since my surgery, heck what else is a NWB guy to do??? But I have read so many stories of people being PWB as soon as 2-3 weeks post op and a lot at 4 weeks. I get my second post-op appt. this Friday, which will be at 5 weeks post and I still have no idea if my OS has plans for PWB or not. I had high hopes when I did not get a cast after surgery, just a splint with an ace bandage. ten days after surgery I had my sutures out and was put into an adjustable boot @ 30 degrees plantar flexion which is where I’m currently at. I am able to remove the boot when I have the leg elevated, shower and sleep. I am pain free and my incision site looks absolutely incredible.  

Being a firefighter, he told me right after surgery that I needed to follow his instructions precisely in order for me to be able to be back to full duty by December. I have not fudged the weight bearing at all. Every day that passes is closer to that appointment but is also closer to the baby being born. Should I expect him to give me the go ahead for PWB and an adjustment of the boot or am I looking at another few weeks of NWB? I feel I am ready for some walking and need to begin the process of getting healthy to prepare for the baby. Should I be pushing to start walking? Do I respect his timeline or do I ask for some more aggressive treatment? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

4 Weeks post-op this coming friday. I am pain-free with the exception of some soreness on the outside of my ankle (wierd)…

Has anyone else had some decent swelling when your foot isn’t elevated for a few hours? Even 4 weeks post-op and still NWB; after 4 hours of work, or a day hanging out outside just sitting around I have wicked swelling. There is no pain with the swelling and I find it odd that not even bearing weight it flares up to twice its normal size…

At least my cooking/grilling skills havent suffered!!!

Next appointment is the 23rd, hoping to get the boot adjusted up a bit, get off these crutches and start walking!!

I am three nights back into working at my part time dispatching job. I think I did it right by going back for 4 hour shifts at a time. Even after 4 hours I have some decent swelling due to the fact I cannot elevate my leg for very long at a busy 911 center. I also have to make sure my shifts work around the wife’s schedule so I can get rides to and from. I’m wicked independent and find it hard to ask anyone else for help.

Its hard not to push the recovery process but there is just so much to do before our little one arrives in October. Having nothing else I can do but sit in the recliner and think just adds to the to-do list. I am hoping all these years of being healthy and in shape pays off and helps speed up the process. All I need is to be off the crutches and able to drive and things would be so much easier!!

Hello All!

I am a 28 y/o career firefighter, and I’m exactly 2 weeks post-op today. I’m glad I found this site to not only keep me busy while NWB, but also to read about everyone’s experiences and recovery stories.

I had my ATR injury on July 15th playing softball. I was stationary at 3rd base and the first step I took to run home was all it took. Down I went; initially I thought I got tripped up by the 3rd baseman as the feeling was more like someone stepping on the back of my cleat. I don’t know if adrenaline was part of it but felt very little pain when it occurred. Only when I tried to bear weight on that right leg was when I knew something was wrong.

4 hour wait in the ER was when the pain was pushing through as I was starting to swell quite a bit. By the time I was able to get into a room, I was unable to walk. 15 minute visit with the ER doc was all it took for him to say it was completely ruptured. I was placed into an Aircast Boot and off I went. The next day I saw my OS and was scheduled for Friday the 19th for surgery.

Surgery went very well. I chose to do a nerve block rather than general anesthesia. Best choice I made as I was able to come out of it so much faster and w/o the groggy after effects. However the surgeon told me that it was one of the more serious ruptures he’s seen, as it looked like both ends of the AT went through a paper shredder. He was adamant about NWB and lots of rest and elevation. I was placed into a splint with an Ace Bandage and sent on my way. Was a long day though, Went in for pre-op at 1130am and was discharged at 8:00pm.

I was able to get off the every 4hr pain meds by day 5 post-op. I only take 1 pill to help sleep at night now. I had my fist post-op appt. at 10 days post. I was able to have my sutures out and was placed into a cam boot at 30 degrees. I am still NWB until my next appt. Aug. 23rd. Luckily the doctor has given me permission to work at my part time job as an Emergency Communications Dispatcher at the state police. I have found however, I can only really do 4 hour shifts as the soreness kicks in after that.

The worst part of this process so far has been that lack of independence everyone talks about. I cannot drive, and can barely fend for myself getting food and drinks with the crutches. Having to rely on an 8 month pregnant wife is not how I wanted things to go. No should be the time where I am doing everything for her, not the other way around. All I can hope is that I am in 2 shoes and able to drive by the time she decides to pop.

This is my story so far, and I look forward to not only keeping this blog updated, but also reading everyone else’s stories!