An Ironman’s recovery from an Achilles Tendon Rupture

Three days later and I’m still busy doing a lot of stuff like………………walking, woo hoo!!!

Every day feels better and better and much progress is being made. My walk is starting to look like a walk but there is still a bit of a limp since the Achilles still fairly tight (especially in the mornings).

I’ve been to physio (at Physiobility) 2 times this week (one more tomorrow) and the treatment continues to be awesome. Lots of hydrotherapy, ultrasound, massage, and laser. The last massage was very painful as he got right in there to break up scar tissue. The benefit was that I gained more flexibility the next day. A bit more swelling too though.

I continue to do all of the stretching and range of motion exercises on my own. While on the computer, I also roll a golf ball along the bottom of my foot for a deep massage, especially going after that sore heel area. It also helps stimulate the feet, and smush up any adhesions/scar tissue.

I got on the bike Wednesday (indoors) for 15 minutes. I was not riding all that fast or forcefully but I was pleased to be back riding. The Achilles loosened up a lot by the end of the ride. I wore bike shoes but did not clip into the pedals on the left side. Not enough strength or guts for that yet. I’ll try riding again today.

I took a few pics of myself to see how much my left calf reduced, but as you can see I actually looks bigger. However, the reality is that the muscles are all mush. It it likely bigger due to swelling and the fact that my right leg was taking most of my weight as I took the picture. But the good news for me is that I did not sustain major shrinkage. After seeing a ton of pictures on these blogs I was very interested in seeing how bad the atrophy would be. While the size is sorta there the strength definitely isn’t.

Let the recovery continue.
Thanks for reading. Happy Healing.

Hoss

One day after seeing the surgeon and the hospital physiotherapist (getting permission to weight bear), I was still using crutches (eventually graduating from 2 to 1) to support myself while getting around, and I used the boot for going out. The Achilles will still really tight, sore and my feet was swollen like a pregnant woman. Still fairly pleased though because I never thought I would be allowed this much freedom at this point. I did a lot of range of motion exercises too that day, gave it a blast of ultrasound and put on compression socks at bedtime.

The next day, was much better. The heel was sore, but the Achilles was tight but I had a bit more range of motion when I got out of bed. It felt so good that I decided to go with just one crutch for support. This I used mostly for going up and down the stairs and for going out. Most of the day I went without any crutches. Although my walking didn’t look glamorous I was excited to be at this point in the recovery process. Basically my left side would weight bear, the right side would take a step, then I’d lift the left to catch up and then repeat. I avoided any pushing off with the left whatsoever. I did some more range of motion exercises, ultra-sounded the area, wore a 2xu compression calf guard for going out, and compression socks at bedtime. Much of the same for Sunday, just a lot less activity.

Today when I woke up, as usual, my Achilles felt tight and my heel was sore. Having a crutch at bedside definitely helps in the morning. I got ready and headed to my first physio appointment.

A few weeks ago I started physio on my right leg at a Toronto SEMI, and while I liked the treatment I was getting, it was a bit too far away and mostly in traffic (anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hrs both ways). With a bunch of physio clinics 5-10 minutes from my house I visited a few and decided to pick a place called Physiobility. I’m glad I did.

After a very in depth assessment with Tony. I was put into a hydrobath, I got my achilles massaged and manipulated, I received an intense ultrasound and laser treatment, and was shown some more exercises. I was out of there 1.5 hrs later. Probably the best treatment I’ve ever received by a physiotherapist. He was very knowledgeable, attentive, and we were on the same page in regards to my expectations for recovery.

Today the swelling on my left foot went down drastically, it almost looks like the right today. On top for the rest of the night is some more stretching, elevation, icing and some ultrasound.

Til next time. Thanks for reading.

Hoss