How it happened
Im a 42 years old male, carrying 14 pounds of padding. I need to do sports or gym otherwise I go nuts. After a barren year in 2007 I was determined to stop the rigamortous that I felt spreading through my body. I would bring myself back to life and get active again.
After a long period of low activity I started playing football again. It felt wonderful and I was totally hooked again. I went to play the following week for my second game. Work tried to get in the way but I was still able to make the field with 20 minutes left. If I tore my clothes off and didnt do any warm-up or stretching I would be able to get in the game. Thats what I did and after only 5 minutes of being in the game my left lower leg was hit by a 20Ib sledgehammer. A guy playing said he was standing over 20 yards away and heard my leg blowout! My Achilles Tendon Rupture (a full tear) was somewhat self inflicted.
It was the first and last time I do any major sport without proper warm-up.
Judging from helpful replies to my blog (thanks to you all), its clear an ATR has happened after warming-up. Im not sure all ATR’s are preventable but as you get older or less active you should ease yourself back into any active sport and give your body time to adapt itself to the coming stress and strain. You can then “crank up the volume” each week.
3 responses so far
Hi,
I did a full rupture of my Achiles tendon 8 weeks ago. I’m being treated by the NHS and have the conservative treatment of it. Basically I’m in a cast for 8 weeks and then after that I’m not sure what happens…..but it dosen’t involve surgery. Cast comes of tommorow and it was feeling pretty good but managed to slip of my crutches in tesco and now it’s acheing a bit Hopefully this won’t hinder my recover to much. I’m 30 by the way and mine was also injured in a game of football. Fingers crossed I’ll let you now how it goes.
It’s interesting how there are two approaches to treatment. I opted for surgery and I guess people do. So the achilles tendon is suppose to re-attach itself with the conservative treatment? I’m don’t know much about the conservative treatment. I hope all goes well and keep us updated.
Hi Mat,
I am from the UK too and did my ATR playing football as well.