jackinva’s AchillesBlog

..and 2 weeks in the boot - out of the cast.

The whole time I was stuck at home I would have NEVER imagined my foot would feel as good as it does now.  I still have a very thick tendon (probably due to the graft wrapped around it) and it feels so good to rub a little olive oil on it and massage it absentmindedly while relaxing in front of the TV.  Especially after work! I’m right in between PWB and FWB but still carrying the crutches around for emotional support.  The ROM moves are creating no discomfort at all - I did have a quick "twinge" a few days after coming out of the cast (and it scared the crap outta me) but no ongoing pain, swelling, etc.  Just a reminder to GO SLOW AND EASY!!!

Two more weeks till I see my Dr and 2 shoes. Just for giggles I did try on my work boot yesterday - no walking - just standing - and it felt normal. Just a little extra pressure on the tendon area.  I am so ready to start PT and getting ready to get back on a bicycle outside again!

BTW, anyone know HOW I update my timeline widget? I was able to get it on my page but can’t seem to figure out how to make changes.

Best to everyone here. REMEMBER - easy does it.  Enjoy this journey while you can. It’s SO much better than being pissed off and angry!!!!

Jack

After TEN WEEKS I made it back to work yesterday afternoon! I feel like I’m becoming a useful member of society again! I tried to spend as much time sitting at the desk as I could, but still managed to get up and slowly move around the shop floor using the crutches and lightly placing weight on my booted foot. It’s been 5 weeks NWB since surgery and almost 1 week out of the cast. I did get considerable swelling in the foot, but I’m betting that is because I’ve spent most of my time at home with my foot raised, and yesterday it was on the floor all ” day long. I iced it when I got home and it’s back to “normal” this morning. Am taking an ice wrap to work with me and use it there as time and work load permit.
SLOWLY, my train is moving out of the station and starting down the road to recovery!
I hope everyone has a wonderful day! Keep on keepin’ ON!!!!
Jack

are SOOOO HAPPY to be free from the cast! Yesterday was my first whole day out of it and I pretty much did nothing but gentle ROM stretches and massaged my foot, tendon area, and calf muscles.  Other than the inflammation, I’m not feeling any discomfort at all.   Dr. McFarland used an adhesive - type glue to close my incision and it has all worn away, leaving a very clean incision site.  There is a considerable amount of swelling / thickness surrounding the tendon and  the bottom of my calf muscles and I gently  massage these while sitting around with the boot off. ROM is very good - toes down is almost as far as the good foot, and I’m just stretching them up not quite to the point of resistance. While sitting in the rocker / recliner, I keep the heel on the floor and slowly rock back and forth while stretching the toes down and up.    I can also stand on both feet and fairly evenly distribute weight on them.  When walking with the boot on I’m starting to roll on the foot fairly smoothly. Sleeping in the boot is not the most comfortable situation, but it is what it is!  Temporary inconvenience for a long term improvement.

It just feels so great to actually feel and see that the tendon is healing and I’m finally making noticeable improvement in my recovery. I still keep a warning light on in my brain to TAKE IT SLOW, STEADY, and EASY!

I go back to work Monday afternoon (2nd shift)! This will be a big change in the daily routine of staying at home for the past 10 weeks!  Fortunately I’ll be able to sit and work at a desk for the majority of the shift, but will have plenty of opportunity to walk / crutch around the shop floor and grounds - but ONLY on smooth hard pavement.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Jack

It’s GONE! And it feels WONDERFUL to be laying here on the sofa with a naked foot. It was really gross when the cast came off - lots of dead skin all over. My heel felt like 60 grit sandpaper. I sat on the tub chair and soaked the foot for about 1/2 hour and gently scrubbed as much of that crud off as I could and then gave myself a foot massage for about 15 minutes. I still have a fair amount of bruising and swelling around the ankle, and right now I’ve got an ice pad wrapped around it. Needless to say, my Aircast is now my best friend, and I WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT IT FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS! I’m just so happy to be able to move this foot around doing gentle ROM movements.

I’ve been hearing numerous comments about NOT using Ibuprofin during the healing phase of ATR and have spent quite some time searching for any articles to substantiate this, but have yet to find any. I know several people on this blog have suggested NOT using it - can you please steer me towards any articles that can provide some information about the subject?
I have spinal arthritis (along with two herniated lumbar discs) and Vicoprofin ( 7.5 mG codiene / 200 mG Ibuprofin) has been the primary Rx to help with pain and discomfort. At my initial visit to my Ortho for my achilles, he gave me some stronger stuff. One week on it had me crawling out of my skin, and the AT repair pain was not that bad. After the last visit, he asked if I needed a refill, and I asked about just taking the Vicoprofin as needed for the back and the foot. He said no problem, and it has been doing the job quite well.

I just want to know if I’m causing irreparable damage to the tendon by taking this stuff ( some days 1 - some days 3 - depending on the level of pain). Any help would be appreciated.

CAST COMES OFF WEDNESDAY! 11 AM!!!!!
I feel a long HOT soak in the tub coming on!
Jack

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Well I’ll be damned. Somehow I got this picture on my blog. (I think). This is from the 2nd surgery when Dr’s McFarland and Padget had to wrap the graft around the re-repaired tendon.  I’m impressed - they did good (no GREAT) work.