Sunday, August 24th, 2008...7:22 am
The Happening
Returned from Florida vacation with family and neighbor asked me over for 4th of July BBQ, someone said “water volleyball” 3 hours later in ER with AT Rupture. Big time downer. Surgery 9th of July, soft cast 2 weeks, hard cast 2 weeks, hard cast removed Aug 4th, started PT next day. I am now in 7th week and PT 3 times a week, gym 6 times a week. PT and Surgeon are saying agressive but cautious, I know the limits. Am now @ week 7 walking with severe limp, wearing boot when out and about, driving short distances and feel road to recovery while a long time coming to full speed is day by day. The most important thing I do is swim for 30 minutes per day, there is light resistance and gets blood flowing in lame leg. My strength is increasing daily. Main problem is starting from scratch every AM. I also bought hand massage and do this daily.
Most frusterating, humbeling, and depressing injury I have ever experienced, and I have had my share. This brought me to reality. I found this blog and enjoy sharing different stories as this has helped me progress and proceed with caution. While agressive I do NOT want this to re occur. GREAT BlOG
8 Comments
August 24th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
fourleaf - thanks for sharing your story, and I am glad that you found this community. Sorry about the injury, but welcome.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Just finished 10th PT and getting more range of motion on each visit. Tommorrow is week 7 post surgery and they tell me after week 8 and visit with surgeon he will get more agressive. I am walking with limp but each trip it gets better. He uses gate trainer (treadmill that measures walking pattern) and another machine that is 360 deg disc that measures flexibility and muscle memory. I have developed bad habits towards left side on walking that they say muscle memory must be re built,.
Tomorrow is 7 weeks post surgery and I am off on 1st trip (NY) on business and I will wear boot for most part. Will do daily exercises and see where we go.
Next week #8 and looking forward to playing golf again.
Going forward with low impact non exertion sports! We’ll see!
fourleaf
September 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Wow I’m impressed (& envious) that you’re 7 weeks post-op & walking a bit. I’m 8 weeks post-op & getting my 2nd cast removed later this week.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Went to PT #10 today and they actually released me!
Said with my dicipline and daily activity there was nothing more that they can do. Go to Surgeon Thurs for 8 week post operation check up and we will see what he says but he has always told me I would know when to quit and each rupture is different and they have to match the personality with the injury.
I ran into head of Ortho Surgery today @ gym and he was amazed, his direct comments, #1 I was in shape when this happened, #2 I was not overweight (actually went on diet when this happened and lost 10 lbs), and I am motivated plus have the tools available to do daily re hab.
Still frusterated, probably no golf (and other quick response activities) for couple of months and I will NOT put myself into a odd situation, but overall I will take the noticabole limp and swelling in the PM and deal with it.
This is hell of alot better than being imoble, crutches, and boot.
I can see another 6 months before I get to where I was, but I truly believe in the statement “how do you eat a elephant, one bite at a time”
wlk
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
fourleaf - I’ve added a few widgets to your blog. If you would rather not display them on your page, please let me know, and I’ll remove them.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Great, I appreciate that. Went for 8 week post op check up yesterday and Ortho said come back in 4 to 6 weeks if needed as he felt I had a strong AT (not fully healed just strong) He asked what I planned to do different over next 4 to 6 weeks and I informed him nothing just more of the same. No running or exertion exercises. He said that was best and told me to hold off on golf for this same period due to uneven ground, stepping in hole, chance of slipping etc.
All in all he told me swelling and unusual feelings could last another 4 months and the challenge would be to break up the scar tissue that builds so the tendon could start stretching normal again.
Went to gym to day and did more of the same, today is actually 9 weeks from the tear.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
fourleaf - The rounding error has been corrected. Please let me know if you see the right number of weeks and days.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Looks good!
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