Too Much, Too Soon - my Achilles Tendon Rupture

I finally got the boot yesterday :-) 4 wks post op. Its great to be able to see my leg/foot after all this time. Being able to wash the leg feels great, a treat. Best of all is I was told I could sleep without the boot, which I did last night; a bit nervous at first but it felt G-O-O-D, like my leg had been set free. PS. Ive had trouble getting to sleep since my ATR, dont know why. I had insominia last year but started to get rid of it by changing some habits (e.g. no computer just before bed!).

Had my first Physio today. He checked my ROM (up-down, out-in) and was very happy although the pull-up looked tiny to me (stiff ankle and the AT starts to feel like Im ripping it if I go a fraction too far; he said only go as far as is comfortable). He gave me some simple exercises to do and stressed not to feel like Im forcing the foot to do anything; the goal is to losen the ankle gradually and build up the ROM. He also said I can go 50% PWB which I am happy about, seems like a big step but I feel totally comfortable doing it. It also gave some tips on walking with the crutches and is encouraging to put my good foot infront of the bad one, instead of just in line with it.

The leg feels solid but I find it awkward walking in the boot; it is raised higher than my right foot and is a bit on the large side about an inch and a half beyond my toes. I could go monoskiing if I could get to a lake I look like RoboCop!

Im happy and feel like buying some champagne, but being drunk on crutches isnt a good idea Maybe a nice chilled beer for now.

My next Physio appointment is 3 weeks away (should be 2 but he is on holiday) and I have to call the cast/boot people to make appointmemts for them to adjust the foot angle every now and again. I really feel like Im getting somewhere now.

 I am H-a -P-p-Y.

There is a slight downside; I was annoyed to find out that at the 1st post Op check (2 weeks ago) the cast technician took it upon himself to put me back in a 2nd cast instead of the boot at 20deg, as the surgeon had told him and as per the hospital procedure hanging on the wall (states clearly that at 2 wks post op. patients go in the boot at 20deg). He also lied to me because I thought I overheard the surgeon tell him to put me in the boot, before he left. The technician then also left and came back and started putting a new cast on. “But wait” I said, “did not the surgeon tell you to put me in the boot?”. “No” said the technician “thats after another 2 weeks in the cast”. I figured he wouldnt lie to me and that I must only of heard part of what was said. Nearly a week later the Physio dept. contacted me to start the next day. I told them I was still in a cast, but they thought I was in the boot. They gave me an appointment for one week later but on my query said it was normal to be in the boot at this time. A day or so later I got a copy of the surgeon’s report from the frist check and clear as day he states I am now in the boot at 20deg. I go a few days later to get my cast off and see another technician who looks the business from my hospital days and I trust her. She is suprised to see me in another cast and I tell her the story. She points to a plastic wallet by the wall; it is the hospital process for treatment and clearly states the boot after 2 weeks post Op. She is going to tear a strip off the guy who put me in the cast and I am writing a letter of complaint to my surgeon to pass on. Because I have been in a cast for 4 weeks not 2 my foot is really stiff and I had to have extra-wedges in the heel.

So Im glad to be where I am, but I should have been here weeks ago. The moral of this story is always go to the horses mouth and make sure the surgeon explains directly to you what is to happen. Now, where’s that beer! Cheer’s to my fellow ATR compadre’s Life is Good! Remember, every tick of the clock is a step forward!