Too Much, Too Soon - my Achilles Tendon Rupture

I made the most of my new found freedom and watched my local football team Bristol City play today. To be out under my own steam, amongst lots of people enjoying themselves outdoors was a great feeling.

I owe a big thank you to Wendy at Bristol City Football Club for taking the time earlier this week to find me a seat for the game that was going to be the most convenient for someone wearing a boot and using a crutch. She even opened up the ground and took me through to view the available seats. The seat she found was great and made today possible. My normal seat is in the middle of a row, I would have had to slither past everybody to get there, not easy in a boot and on a crutch, especially as to squeeze past people in their seat you need to be either a snake or a size zero supermodel. Wendy you are a star!

Weeks of NWB is frustrating and depressing, as you all know. But to everyone still in the NWB phase “hang in there”, it is worth the wait. Dont beat yourself up and dont feel alone when frustration and blues wash over you like a relentless tide; its expected, its normal but just remember it will end sooner than you think right now.

I even think my ATR experience is even making me a better person! Certainly I get less irritated when driving; doesnt matter how crazy people are, or how hot tempered they are, I just feel so glad to be out driving myself there is no way Im going to even raise my eyebrows; its all insignificant compared to me being out on my own steam again. The ship has finally left port!

My recovery has taken a boost recently, better than was expected. After being in a cast for 4 weeks I got the boot, but my ankle was locked with a tiny amount of movement. I was told I was at least 2-3 weeks behind were I should be, because the cast should only have been on for 2 weeks and then the boot fitted and PT started soon after.

My first PT didnt excite me. My foot moved small amounts and the exercises seemed the minimum to be asked. I felt it was going to be slow progress. But then the sun began to shine.

Only one week after getting the boot and having my first PT, I had major movement back in the ankle but even more encouraging to me I could easily walk in the boot without crutches. The leg felt really solid. I also got permission to drive long distance in the boot. To play safe I will use one crutch until week 8. Those little exercises everyday paid off.

The scar has healed well but will leave a very dark scar; Im dark skinned and dark skin scars badly more easily. In the boot the leg feels bullet proof but outside of it is a different story. The limiting factor in flexing my foot is stiffness in my ankle, not the AT. But I do feel the AT if I push a little and the ankle/foot are still swollen. Got to keep on with the toe wriggling and cold packs. Its clear my leg is vulnerable and Im very careful with it out of the boot. That said I can actually walk comfortably with no crutches and no boot and that has amazed me. I only do it indoors, e.g. kitchen or bathroom, but that has sent my happiness soaring, week 6 post Op. I keep the leg straight to avoid any accidental over flexing at the ankle and overstressing the ATR repair, so I have a definite Frankenstein limp

So the last week has been a real surprise and a sudden turning point. To anyone feeling low, try and remember that your turning point is right around the corner, waiting for you. Keep plowing along and you will get there.

One last note, I found a great convenient way to flatten my “Buddha Belly”. While doing my foot exercises at night, I was sat on my bed, pillows behind me resting my back against the headboard. I found the exercises more comfortable with my leg slightly raised an inch or two. Then I raised my good leg to compare the ROM. With both legs slightly raised I needed to reach behind my shoulders and grab the headboard. I raised both legs a bit, did the exercise, then lowered both legs. Wow! I really got to feel it in my lower stomach. Great - stomach exercises in bed! The ideal for any couch potatoe or “bed bug” I do it immediately before sleeping and immediately after waking, in a few minutes.

Also, my diet is paying off, I have definitely lost pounds from my waist which is where you need to lose it (recent news was that, at least for men, the waistline ratio to height is the significant indicator for healthy weight, not the BMI (too simple, doest not take account of muscle for example).