Almost a year out … going well
As many others have said, it really is amazing how quickly time has passed. (Try to tell me that during those first few weeks and even months post-op, and I’d have sputtered in frustration — time did not pass quickly then).
The one-year anniversary of the rupture is coming up, and I’m almost back to normal. I sometimes forget about it, which is a pretty good indication things are going well.
I’m running, and although I had a bout of minor knee irritation, that’s pretty much gone away. I’d never had any knee issues at all, but back in December when I first started running again, 20 minutes on a soft (bouncy) treadmill with a bad (not yet normal) gait apparently irritated a bursa pad (also known as a fat pad). For weeks and weeks, the thing was an issue, which was frustrating. But the pain has gradually gone away, and has not been an issue while running or walking in months (sometimes when the knee is put in one position or another, the bursa pad reacts, but the key there? Change position).
I’ve not had any issues with the achilles. It’s fine. (I ice the achilles — and now, the knee — religiously after running, which has really helped).
I’m attempting to rebuild the calf muscles. The left calf is strong enough now, but it remains significantly smaller than the right (uninjured leg) calf. It’s a cosmetic thing but I’m working on it with calf raises.
Here’s something I recently wrote about returning to running. (It’s my day job).
Those of you who are on the road to recovery, keep it up. Time really does pass, and you do get better. You know that marathon gadget many of us are using to track our recovery? It seemed like I would never, ever get through New York City. But as I rebuild my mileage base, I’m trying to figure out when and where to run my next marathon.
Take heart: You’ll get there, and soon.
Everyone else: Thanks. Achillesblog was a fantastic resource and also a huge source of encouragement. … Celebrating others’ successes (and being inspired by them), commiserating with the occasional setback (and knowing the successes are coming).
I keep checking back in and reading, and I’ll keep doing so.
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It’s refreshing to come across a report at this stage. So many are done from my own perspective, here at week 7. Yesterday, I went out for a walk with the family, and I managed to walk 4 kilometers. I think I was actually faster back when I had the crutches, but they don’t mind slowing down for me. I used to be a bodybuilder. I was probably injured because I dropped out of the sport for 2 years and, one day, I ignorantly pushed my achilles tendon beyond its trained limit (which was next to nothing). Had I stayed in the gym I probably wouldn’t have tore it. So now, in hindsight, I regret my choices and miss my training so badly. I am hungry to do HIIT training on the cross trainer, spill some sweat, feel my heart pound, and work my lungs to their limit! Soooo…. reading your testimony at 12 months gives me something to look forward to. Seems like an eternity away. I have hope.
Best of luck in the months ahead!
Jonathan:
Hey, thanks. You’ve probably heard this from others, but you’ll get there. Just be patient, and smart, and the rebuilding will come faster than you know.
I played softball tonight for the first time since the injury. Felt great to be able to do it.
George, your article is terrific. We need more bloggers with serious-but-entertaining writing skills here, so don’t leave! And while I’m on the subject, I’d LOVE to recruit you to the campaign to educate everybody about the new scientific evidence indicating that the vast majority of ATR surgeries convey NO benefit and shouldn’t be done!
Since the first of the 4 modern studies comparing the options was only published in 2007 — and since there’s no way to “recall” a surgery that’s been proven to convey no benefit, but surgical risks — it’s like turning a supertanker to change standard “operating” practice.
I had a very successful surgical repair on my first ATR, 8 years ago, and I just barely escaped a second operation in December, when I tore the other side. (Yes, I returned to competitive volleyball, knowing the risks and accepting them willingly, even in hindsight!)
It’s bugging me that so many people are being rushed under the knife based on old info, since disproved with careful studies, that used to be taught in every Med School (and may still be taught today, God Help Us All!!) The simple fact is that the studies show that a good modern non-op protocol produces better results than surgery with total ruptures of the AT — the same strength, ROM, and re-rupture rate, with much lower rates of infections, non-closing wounds, and DVT! Hard to believe and maybe “illogical”, but so is general relativity and string theory and lots of other science! [End of rant -- for now!!]
Jonathan, there are lots of ways to whip your body into a lather without beating up your recovering AT. Most of us held off and lost an amazing amount of Cardiovascular fitness, but it’s not really required. There’s even one new hinged boot (VacoCast or VacoPed) that’s waterproof enough to use in the water without a cast protector! And bicycling in a boot (stationary or “real”) can be a reasonable workout, though admittedly not HIIT.
At 7 weeks this time (no surgery!), I was walking fast in a hinged boot and bicycling reasonable distances, too. My main impediment was weak muscles and low fitness, but walking and cycling helped with both. I should have found a pool, too, as gunner and others have, and recommend highly.
Thanks for the follow-ups guys. I will be meeting with my surgeon tomorrow morning for the first time in 5 weeks. My progress is going well and I’m still playing it safe. I’ll be asking which exercises I will be allowed to do at this point. Swimming seems tempting, but I’m not educated about surgical wounds and water submergence. Stand-still biking or perhaps a cross-trainer would be high on my list of machines I’d like to jump onto. I remember that when I was on crutches I was actually losing weight because they were so physically demanding. Weight started getting put back on when the boot went on. I’m hungry to get back in that calorie burning mode, and walking can only do so much. :-/ Can’t wait for my meeting tomorrow!
Jonathan, the relationship between exercise and weight doesn’t seem to be as simple as the Physics would indicate — partly because a good workout makes you hungry! But the other benefits of activity and fitness — health and psychological — are huge. And most of us here are more active than average (which is how most of us got here). I know I can relate to what you’re saying!
Well my boot is officially off, I’m in two shoes and a day later I’ve gained enough strength to do some bike work and also push out some super light leg extensions, curls and presses. I’m so pumped!! Walking is a real bummer since I’m about 1/3 as fast as with the boot. I’m sure that will pick up as the weeks roll along. I’m just so stoked about what I can finally do in the gym now!!! I see now that it will likely be a very gratifying process of progression from here all the way to that 1 year milestone.
as compelling as the surgery / non-surgery goes, I’m so glad that I went the surgery route. I couldn’t afford the extra time spent in casts. I have some weddings to photograph this upcoming August. Having already done a wedding on crutches (11 hours of pure challenge) I’m glad that I’ll be in two shoes for the work ahead in August.