It’s funny: I’ve been talking to a few people about my injury. Some folks are fine to hear what it feels like while others can’t even bare the thought of it. Many folks believe that rupturing your Achilles tendon is the most painful experience ever. It’s not. Yes, it’s painful. However, I’ve injured myself playing other sports (i.e. rugby) and didn’t find the pain nearly as bad. For example, I tore my ACL when I was 15 years old while playing hockey. That was excruciatingly painful. When I was 23 years old, I suffered a severely twisted ankle. That hurt. A lot.
Yes, a ruptured Achilles tendon hurts. But it’s not as bad as you’d think.
2 responses so far ↓
marcus // Jul 13th 2008 at 6:33 pm
I couldn’t agree more. The almost universal reaction is, “Your Achilles? That’s supposed to soooo painful!” But really it hasn’t been. Initially, there was some pain in the calf when I tried to walk on it. After it was immobilized in the emergency room I really didn’t feel anything. Granted, the first couple of days after surgery weren’t fun, but since then it hasn’t been too bad. Of course I haven’t started physical therapy yet, but as far as the injury’s reputation goes, I think its bark is worse than its bite.
damacar // Jul 14th 2008 at 11:14 am
I have to agree that there are more painful injuries than this. Don’t get me wrong, the day after surgery hurt like a mo-fo. But I don’t think people understand its mental pain and anguish! I was just talking to my husband about this last night. I’m now 10 weeks post op, and its now just some pain, instead of a pain in the ass. Ya, its nice to walk, drive and help around the house, but it freakin hurts. Its just a long damn road.
To all the people that say, “Achilles, I bet that hurt…” Show them your scar, then explain how they have to reach up and grab your tendon and pull it down to sew it together….gets em squirmin every time =)
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