How did it happen?
Thought it would be interesting to compile a list of how people injure their achilles heel.
Mine:
33yrs old, about 10 lbs overweight. Used to exercise 3-4 times a week, which turned into to about 1-2 times a week.
I was playing basketball, and I was backpedaling towards the defensive end of the court. One of the guys on the other team made a jumpshot, and I was slowing down and changing momentum to run back to play offense. Then it happened while I was shifting my weight to change direction. Not excruciating pain, more of a numb stinging pain.
Tom commented on http://achillesblog.com/dennis
I ruptured my AT playing volleyball. I started to lunge forward and then heard the snap. I knew immediately what happened, but I don’t remember being in too much pain. I believe it hurt for a minute or two, but I think the frustration masked most of the pain. I knew it meant that I’d likely be away from competitive sports for up to a year.
JohnSkier on http://achillesblog.com/johnskier
At age 47 I ruptured my achilles skiing on Feb 14…hit a depression and tumbled forward and the ski didn’t release. I did stretch that day…and had skied several runs (cat skiing on Vail Pass).
The injury REALLY hurt…now I believe I might (or maybe I have no clue)have a sense of the pain of child birth.
When I first stood up and tried to put weight on it I got dizzy and had to sit down. Skied down to the cat on one ski…didn’t want to hold up everyone by making the cat come back up with the sled.
Paula on http://www.injuryupdate.com.au
I severed mine on 28 Dec 2005 whilst just playing on the surf with my 8yr old son.
Jaycee on http://www.injuryupdate.com.au
I did something similar rupturing my achilles on 14 Dec 2005 playing football(soccer) after a break of 7 years(and about 18 pounds weight gain)
Unregistered on http://www.injuryupdate.com.au
i did the full rupture on new years eve 31/12/05 - and all i was doing was a scottish reel (where you do a “skipping” step) AND i was sober.
sentence on http://www.injuryupdate.com.au
On 18/7/06 I ruptured my achilles tendon in the parents race at my daughters school sports day. I was running barefoot and the ground appeared to feel uneven I carried on running until my feet fell from beneath me. I thought I had pulled a muscle and managed to scramble off the the running track. I managed to kneel up and clapped on the parents running ahead of me. I wasn’t in too much pain, but when I tried to stand I could only stand on one leg. I spoke to another parent who said I should sit down and that I had probably pulled a ligament. It was all very quiet the children were not alarmed in any way and fortunately all this happened at the end of their sports day.
When I was sitting on the ground I did notice an indentation or gap just above my heel so realised it was serious and an ambulance was called. I am a 42 year old woman living in the uk and although not involved in the gymn I thought I was relatively fit and well…
33 about 15lbs overweight, exercise about 5 times a week and had surfed twice that day…playing basketball that night may have (or have not) gotten kicked while in a defensive position. Having surgery on Thursday 3/20/08.
hey Mike…sorry to hear about your AT tear. I’m 31 and tore mine playing B-Ball too, I’m 2 weeks post op. Check out some of the earlier posts from Dennis, Johnskier, Ross, and myself…if you have any questions about your upcoming surgery..don’t hesitate to ask.
Good luck Mike. Definitely recommend pain killers for a few days post surgery. Get a comfy place on a couch or bed, elevate and ice like crazy. Don’t try to do too much. I recommend one of those machines that pump ice cold water through a boot around your foot and ankle. I think I’m in the minority of our group who had one but I think they’re really great. I’ve seen similar machines on line but my doc prescribed one for me and it was delivered to my house.
John
Mike..
very sorry to hear you have joined our club..frustrating, depressing and a long haul ahead of you. We have and are going thru it now so we are here for you if you have questions, make sure you read the blogs so you know whats ahead of you. This is a great forum, I had my surgery on the 6th of March.
Let me know what you need.
Doc Ross
Hi
Wish I’d found this site 5 months ago, it’s good to hear how other people get on. Did my tendon on 30th September 2007, dancing. (I’m 44 should know better). Am in England, no surgery and 11 weeks in plaster. Walking better every day now, sometimes even forget there’s anything wrong with it.
Alice - thanks for your comment, and I am glad that you are doing well. Keep us posted on how your recovery is progressing, and what you are doing for exercises. I hope you can get back to dancing at some point.
I partially tore mine in November ‘07 playing floor hockey and was in a boot until Jan. 08. I finished it off in February. I’m about a week post op and am bored crapless. There’s only so much daytime TV you can watch.
Bill -
Glad that you were able to find this site. I didn’t watch too much daytime tv during my first week, but I think I read all the of web pages on the entire internet.
How’s the recovery going? I guess you didn’t have surgery right after you partially tore your AT?
I’m 43 (will be 44 next month) and totally tore mine playing basketball on April 2, 2008. I’ve played all my life and was making a simple cut with the ball like I have made probably thousands of times before. Felt like I had gotten shot in my heel. I looked around to see who had fouled me and saw no one even close by. I was not able to have surgery until April 15, 2008. I used Perocet for about a week or two post op and had a catheter block in my leg for about 4 days post op for pain. I go back for my second visit to have my cast removed and get fitted for a boot this friday, 4/23/08. This site and all the information that fellow ATR’s have provided has given me a much better idea of where I am and what I should expect. As anxious as I am to be able to start rehabbing, I am very nervous and scared about putting weight on it and trying to walk on it once I get the boot.
David
Sorry my follow-up for the boot is 5/23/08…wishful thinking.
David
Hi David,
Welcome, unfortunately.
It sounds like you and I are on nearly the same schedule, with you a bit ahead. I had surgery on 4/16, and am scheduled for a boot on 5/29.
I, too, am a bit apprehensive to start rehab, but at the same time am anxiously looking forward to getting back to my normal life. Good luck on Friday, and be sure to keep us up-to-date with your progress.
Craig
I had my cast removed this past friday and now am in the air cast/walking boot. Although its big and bulky, it does enable me to get around a lot better. i’m now using only one crutch and am able to put weight on that leg. I am not trying to overdo it too much and limit the length of time I am on my feet. I will say one thing it feels great again to be able to take a shower.
David
Hello all. I injured my achilles unlike anyone I have read about on this website or others. A piece of tempered glass fell behind me and shattered making a piece spin up in the air and slice into my rear right leg to sever the achilles tendon. In turn, I had a trauma that just missed the artery (Luckily) but severed the tendon clean. It has been a painful experience for me. My scar is ridiculous as you can imagine and the numbness in my heel is crazy.
Hello everyone. Great to have so much support, but I reallly wish I didn’t EVER have to be in a position to find such a site. I was playing soccer in a rec league 2 weeks ago when I suffrered my injury. I had made a point of arriving early and warming up and stretching as I had suffered a cramp in my other (right) calf while running the day before. I was playing goalie and went out to challenge a player with the ball. When I left my line I heard a loud popping sound–like a champagne cork–and I thought I had snapped the laces on my new soccer shoes. I fell to the ground and looked at my feet and realized that the laces were still there, and thought I must have suffered a knee injury. But I had no pain in my knee (or my injured calf either), so I just tried to stand up. When I couldn’t put any weight on my left foot, I pretty much knew what the problem was. People across the field said they heard the popping sound. I get really mad at people who suggest that I suffered this injury because I am some sort of out of shape weekend warrior who overdid it. I work out–running, cycling, lifting–5+ times a week. That, so far, has been the most painful thing I’ve had to endure. I am 4 days post-op and I am debating going back to work this (short week) or working from home. I am leaning toward the latter.
Chris - Yes, I think it’s best to rest up since it’s a short week anyway. I hope you get better, and I hope you find the site useful.
There’s a LOT of support and great information to help you with your recovery here.