Oct 15 2008
Running can improve AT healing
Hi all,
I came across this post that may be of interest; it was a lab study that investigated exercise on lab rats and found that running can improve the strength of the AT: -
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1724906
I am officially cleared to start gentle jogging, although I cannot do a single leg toe raise but its improving.
2 weeks ago my PT cleared me to start toe raises, both feet and put as much weight as I can on the ATR leg. My ATR leg gets quite sore with this but I do see significant improvements. What I wasnt expecting was that my good AT has started mild aching since doing the toe raises. This fits in with what my surgeon said - a good AT doesnt rupture on its own, its a sign of injury, lack of exercise or degeneration (e.g. age). In which case I deduced that my good AT was likely to be weekened also.
I was keen to find out if my diet had contributed, I switched to high protein and low carbs after my injury. Lost 10lbs in weight but I wonder if the fat and carbs are needed to build the AT?
I also think my only hope is a gradual exercise plan that builds up my AT strength. A guy was told that it takes a lot longer to increase the AT strength compared to muscle strength; this can cause injury since the muscle can develop faster and so generate loads that the AT cant take. I will speak about this at my next PT session and possibly visit a local pro-sports clinic to get a food-exercise plan to restore my AT strength. I would love to know how pro-footballers (soccer) can be back playing after 6 months.
Im in 2 shoes and no wedges and I cant believe its over 3 months since my leg exploded. To anyone just starting this journey hang in there, it will gather pace and you will be up and about before you know it.
5 responses so far
5 Responses to “Running can improve AT healing”
im also curious about this .
i know bones - their strenght is related to the stresses thats put on it .
the Achilles tendon is different though . it is a tendon and im not sure how it can be strenghtened . i know for a fact that the blood supply there at the bottom is not that great compared to the muscle belly.
i also read that most tissues makes new cells and shed old cells and in a span of time a certain tissue will be comprised of new tissues althogether and the old ones are completely shed off.
ive been asking around for opinion ( doctors - not otho ) about the strenght of the Achilles after rapture and surgery - i get mixed responses where id say 50% said they will get strong in time , and 50% said be careful as this is scar tissue and its not as strong as the real thing .
I’m also at 15 weeks and started gentle running. My good AT gets sore sometimes as well, but stops the minute I stop activity. My doctor said it’s from overuse/compensating for the bad AT and not to worry about rupture. Our body is designed to walk in a certain ergonomic fashion. After the injury you move differently to compensate and this puts stresses on other parts of your body.
Great, interesting post. Let us know if you find out more ways to strengthen your AT w/ the aid of certain exercises and diets. I’m trying to strengthen my AT in a variety of ways. The thing that gets me is that there is NO NO NO way I can do a 1-legged calf raise. I try and will my mind to make my leg do it, but not enough strength to do it. I can do 2-legged and try my best to put more weight on my bad leg…but that only goes so far..I can do 2-legged so well that you’d think the 1-legged would be a cinch….NOT…one day, one day!
hi Kristin,
be patient it will come for all of us. Its possible to over exercise - I have cut down the amount I do daily and also reduced the level. I now do 2 legged toe raises a couple of times a day, but in reps of 3-6 (was doing 12) and I only raise the heel an inch or two, not as high as I can. This has reduced soreness in ATR leg and seems to give faster improvement.
Interesting what Screwdriver and Hobblit said; we each heal differently and its nice to see how other people do but we all have to go at our own pace.
I just was placed in an ankle brace yesterday, and I’m full weight bearing but it hurts like crazy. I still feel pain,swelling is still there. How long before I can go back to work. I stand all basically all day. I’m a Phlebotomist.