Jun

6

Only 3 weeks til the boot???

June 6, 2009 | |

Yesterday, Friday 6/5/09, I had my first appointment since rupturing my achilles on 5/28/09. I made the decision to follow the doctors advice, and allow for natural healing. My initial thought was that if I can avoid surgery, that would be my preference. However, once I got into researching achilles rutures, it seemed like there were more studies and data backing up the surgery. However, after a little more digging, and watching both forms of surgery on YouTube, I feel confident with the natural healing option. The stats on re-rupture are maybe a little higher, but all in all, I think it’s the only way to go for me. I’m not a high-power athlete who needs to get back in the game to be employable. It is tricky b/c I’m a gymnastics coach, and I won’t be able to coach the same way I did before. I still have to find out from workers comp when I’ll be allowed back to work. When it really came down to my decision, which was very hard (becasue I do need to have a strong achilles back at some point), watching the surgery helped. All that is holding your achilles in place is some surgical nylon-they just take the two ends and tie them up. There is still the collagen/scar tissue that is going to form and act as the false tendon, so if time is not that big of an issue, why bother getting cut open and dealing with the complications of surgery?

Anyway, I am in the same cast up to the top of my calf for 2 more weeks. At week 3, they are going to increase the angle a little, and keep it there for another week. After that, I will move on to the boot. Does this seem early to anyone? From all the research I’ve done, it seems a little premature to get me to neutral, with natural healing by week 4. It seems like most people are in the boot by week 6 or 8?

I hate crutches, and have been hopping around making my left leg really strong. In a way, I thank God this didn’t happen to my left leg, because I had ACL reapair on it 12 years ago and it has always been weaker. Because my right leg is already super strong comparitively, I’m hoping to have a recovery that is not too bad. Maybe this will finally balance me out?? :) Also, the doctor said I can put weight on my bad foot, since its casted in equinus, and it can’t move anyway. I started putting weight on it yesterday, and it doesn’t seem to bother it at all. It actually helps me hobble around a little better.
As I stated in my first entry, I am trying to see and take advantage of the silver lining to this. My yoga teacher and I have figured out a way for me to stay not only in Yin but in Vinyasa class! I did it yesterday for the first time in a week, and it totally went well. I used a chair to support my back leg, and did some poses kneeling instead. I was able to do about 95% of everything, and was so happy! Totally worked up a sweat…it was really hard, but I’m so thankful I can still do yoga. If I had to quit yoga for 3 or 4 months, I’d hate to see the shape I’d be in. My advice to everyone with this is to not stop working out. I was so happy after class yesterday, because yoga makes me feel alive and fit. Just becasuse you have an injury doesn’t mean you can’t work around it. I’m going to be going at least 5 times a week, so no excuses!


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. sunnyd on June 7, 2009 9:50 am

    Glad to hear the exercise has helped both mentally and physically! I’d love to learn more about the yoga positions you are doing if you know if there are any websites that have examples. I’ve stopped yoga after surgery, but agree, would have loved to continue to get a more holistic work-out (especially since my stop/start racket sports are now out!).

    On the timeline, this is my second ATR — before my right foot, now my left. I was actually treated conservatively on my right foot first time and was NWB for 6 whole weeks, though as you can tell, your body pain will let you know if you are moving things along too quickly. If it doesn’t feel right, give yourself another week or two… i’m sure your doctor won’t hold it against you. Best of luck!

  2. Peggy McDermott on June 8, 2009 12:32 pm

    I’m glad you have a support group for ATR–plus yoga. Keep it together and get balanced! And, oh yeah, come home.

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