Josher’s Achilles Blog

Thanks for the reply. I can already feel my calf getting smaller, though…:-(

But, as you mentioned, I’ll be back to running in no time. I just wish I could fast forward to 2 months from now…

Thanks again!

Fidel Banuelos,
You can be back on the track sooner than you think. From FWB to full ROM to gaining back calf strength (which I feel is the most important to recovery because the others simply come over time), if you focus on these the time will go by fast and you will be back running in no time. My first run was .05 miles, then .10 miles and so on. Before I knew it I was running a mile, then 2, 3 and more. Good luck with your recovery!

Hi Josh,

I enjoyed reading about your progress. I am 2 days post op and dread the ‘watch grass grow” idea. I was a masters track guy and life revolved around my running so this is a pretty hard adjustment. But, reading about your experiences gives me hope. I’m thinking that if you can be chasing fly balls in the outfield and run a half marathon then I should be okay, too.

Thanks.

You are correct. I haven’t “raced” one yet. I have probably done too much to strain it, but it will catch up eventually.

I have always had a hard time building muscle mass. I am not as sore today, but I don’t think I will run again until tomorrow.

You’d think your calf would respond to all that “abuse” by getting bigger and stronger, but no. I’ve never enjoyed running (without a game wrapped around it), but my calf sounds remarkably like yours, 3 weeks after you and non-op. No strains for me, but I haven’t done much to strain it yet.

I think when you wrote “. . .but I have “raced” one yet”, you meant “. . .but I haven’t “raced” one yet.” If not, I’m confused (again!).

Nice work, Josher!

Beach volleyball is WAY “AT-friendlier” than court v-ball — or basketball! You should be fine, keep having fun. Your biggest AT threat is already the OTHER one! If you do happen to pop it, like some of us, check out the latest studies and protocols at the time before making any snap decisions!

You are becoming a Zen tennis player, Grasshopper!

Gunner,
I actually tore my ATR playing basketball and had not been playing tennis much prior so I can’t say that I was at a high level. My tennis game pretty much consisted of me out hustling my opponent because I am decent at volleying but a poor server. I am hoping to play more this summer though. As far as how it went, I was really happy with the level I was able to play at. There were some balls that I couldn’t get to that I normally could have and my footwork wasn’t always there, but I was able to cover the court enough to be competitive. I didn’t think about my achilles that much, however I was a little slow when it came to starting and stopping. So really my only adjustment came in anticipation. Because I am not as explosive making cuts on the court I had to do a better job placing my shots and then reading my opponent to prepare myself for the return. In the long run I think it will make me a better player.

Hi Josher: I’m a tennis ATR guy so looking for tips on the return. How was it? what level did you play before and what adjustments did you have to make? thx

Norm I am starting to feel normal. I played a little tennis yesterday too. I have tried any court sports until then except for shooting a basketball.

Yay! That’s a huge step towards “normal”!

Congrats!
As far as a new goal, how about coming out to Colorado and climbing one of our 14ers (peaks 14,000 ft or higher). Depending on how you count them, we’ve got 53-58 of them. I’m planning to hike Long’s Peak on the 1 yr anniv of my surgery.

Beach volleyball, tennis, and softball! I can’t wait to start playing with my softball team soon. I think I will sit out the first game because it is 2 days before the race, but I’ll probably play the following week.

Norm, I have read about your story from your 1st ATR. It has been a good reminder when I am thinking of pushing it too hard.

Go Josh Go!

I agree with you that the fine line between stressing/overstressing is very important, and recovery does not depend on calf raises, but on using the calf muscles to rebuild strength. At 15 weeks been playing softball (outfield) and doubles tennis for weeks. My major PT - walking the beach 1+ miles a day from 3 weeks postop.

Sounds ambitious, alright! I agree with your analysis. too. I won’t repeat my cautionary tale from 8 yrs ago — it’s already plastered all over this website!! — but it happened when i could do about as many 2-leg heel raises as you can do now.

I’m a big fan of “aggressive” and not “conservative”, but do remember that there’s no shame in NOT finishing a half-marathon at 26 weeks!

(Me, I was thinking of going to late-night drop-in indoor beach volleyball tonight, at 21 weeks! But it would have been “one step at a time” — and besides, I’ve never torn an AT playing BEACH volleyball!!)

It still sounds familiar, Josher. “The gang” seems to be filtering back, after our little “holiday”. . .

Welcome to the weak-calf club, Josher! You might want to commiserate at the post “This damn single leg calf raise!!! by placervillemadman”!

At 14 weeks, I’m finally taking some fast long strides without any “limp-dip”, when I concentrate and work at it. Still not very close to 1-leg calf raises, though.

I hope you get to meet your GOALS.
This week I go to 16 wks post-op and I’ve been told no running for a few more weeks. I’ve made the promise to wait until April until I give it a try.

I too feel pretty much back to normal with limited activity, Just today I’ve been cut off of therapy, so I have a check up in a month to see how I’m doing. I’d like to compete in the Triathlon the end of June that really caused everything, but that would be 7 months after surgery and the PT says that would pushing it a little to close. If it were 9 to 10 months, maybe better.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, at this point my running is basically a jog. I haven’t tried going to fast because it would be difficult and it lengthens your stride which puts an increased load on the achilles. I did increase the treadmill to 7mph right at the very end of my run though. It felt o.k., but I am not ready for that yet.

WAY TO GO!!!

You’re going to make a lot of us very jealous with all the talk of jogging\running. I could never run…mine was always a little faster jog…and I can’t wait until I can even do half that again.

Keep going and remember…

“Slow and Steady Wins THIS Race”.

Great work!

It seems that for most of us, with or without surgery, the need to elevate persists surprisingly long. I’m extremely comfy in two shoes now (though still not quite walking straight with a strong “push-off”). But after I spend about an hour standing up, or several hours sitting normally, my leg starts complaining until I put it up.

Don’t overdo it!

I have and boy is it nasty!

Nice. And congratulations on graduating to two shoes. You may have to go buy a new pair because your injured foot will be bigger for a while. I’ve been at two shoes for several weeks and still have two pair I can’t wear because they’re just too tight on my left foot.

Josher, that’s great! I’m 5 weeks 5 days post-op, is a day ahead of you and I haven’t heard anything about shoes yet.

Luckily my pride was hurt more then any body part. I just used my volleyball skills to make it down without injuring myself.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

I’d had been using the crutches only to speed up long walks, but I have now officially retired them after that. Deanne, I hope you are OK after your incidents.

I’ve recreated the scene where Bambi hits the ice for the first time twice this past week…I’m looking forward to losing the crutches.

Deanne (aka DREAMS)

Oh, man, I think that while everyone who has an ATR is supremely unlucky, those of us who are in the crutches stage during the winter months of rain and snow are the unluckiest of all! Sounds like you didn’t do any damage, thank goodness. And you guys who are thinking about drinking- rent a wheelchair It’s hard enough not falling sober.

Josher- that’s great news…I was given the ‘as much weight as tolerated’ until I can walk line at yesterday’s appointment. It’s weird that I waited 6 weeks, and now I’m nervous. I have only taken a few steps around the house, but I figure that since I am stuck in the house today (snowed in) I might as well test it out in small increments. I find it amazing how in only 6 weeks I seem to have completely forgotten the mechanics of walking :S
Have fun…
Deanne (aka DREAMS)

maryk, don’t get discouraged. Every doctor has a different idea of how their patients should go through the healing/recovery process. We are all headed towards the same goal. I have been through an ACL reconstruction also and it is very important to stay positive and stay determined. I am a firm believer that your state of mind can influence your body’s recovery.

I wish I had your doctor! I had surgery 2 weeks ago, too (November 19) and I just now have a cast and no weight bearing for 2 weeks.

littlefeeties, anything to you can do to keep the inflammation down

ultidad, thanks for the info. Putting a wedge in my shoe sounds like a plan. I can see how it will take close to week to go crutchless.

It took me one week from getting into the boot to being able to walk w/out any crutches, with a couple of days of using 1 crutch toward the end of that week. With a big heel wedge, it is pretty tough to get evened out with your other leg, but as you remove risers, it’ll get easier. I found that putting a wedge in the shoe of my non-injured leg (I hate saying “good leg”), helped to even things out. Congrats on making it to the next phase!

Uh-oh! I thought you didnt have to ice anymore after you got the cast on! eeekk!

I am so jealous! We are on almost the exact same time-line, but yesterday my doctor took my stitches out and put me in a cast and NWB for 2 weeks. Since this happens to so many people, you’d think there’d be agreement on the treatment protocol- maybe it’s because my AT was torn at both ends? Who knows- anyway I am glad for you, even if my boot-scootin’ days are not here yet.

Josh, sounds like your doc and my husband’s doc gave similar timelines (though my husband went into a boot a week earlier). My friend is a PA in a different state for a large orthopedic practice; she says that even within their practice, the doctors pursue different methods of treatment.

It is somewhat unnerving to read about other treatment that seems so different than what is happening firsthand — my pal assured me that it’s all just a different road to the same place.

Hi, Josh. I had my surgery on November 19th- just one day before you did. I am in a splint for 2 weeks, then cast for 6 weeks, then boot for I have no idea, I’m trying not to think about it. Lucky me, I tore my tendon on BOTH ends. Sheesh. I agree with you- it’s very confusing to read about cast v splint, early mobilization vs complete immobilization for months.

It’s only been 5 days and only you will know how you feel.
Don’t overdo it but also don’t underdo it.
I’d be worried about a DR would only stick with the text book, you know?
Sure I wish you such an awesome recovery but be prepared for bumps.

My story is very similar to stevem, I am 2 and a bit weeks post op, mine too tore in two and had frayed ends. I am wondering if there are any light exercises that one can do with toes or massage the calf muscle where possibl whilst in the cast.
I find the mental aspect to be worse than the actual injury, I get very depressed as I am unable to do most of what I use to do. I am very glad I found this site, gives reassurance when reading other sad tales.

“Well the first days are the hardest days, don’t you worry any more”

Mental aspect is def tough, esp if you’re used to being independent. i’m used to sleeping on my side, so when i had a cast on that was a little tricky. i used to rest my leg on some pillows at night, on it’s side. i found out that when staples were still in it was a little painful to rest it on the heel. as for day time television………let’s make a deal comes on at 10, then the price is right is next at 11, the dog whisperer comes on at 2, and then something interesting is usually on after that.

I’m 2 weeks post-op. I experienced the same dreams the first week. Seems like I woke up in fear every hour for the first few nights. I finally figured out I was waking up every time my wife moved, out of fear she would hit my leg/foot.
My tendon tore in two. The doc told me he cleaned up both ends (they are frayed after a tear) and sewed it back together using material that is much stronger than I could break. The cast is preventing me from being able to move my foot up enough to do any damage. I assume yours is the same.
The mental aspect of this injury seems to be just as hard as the physical. Good luck with the recovery. Keep us posted.

Hulu.com is your friend if you are in the US.

My recommendation is do nothing or as close to it as you can get…

Keep your foot elevated as much as you can, watch college football today, Pro tomorrow, and all the college basketball you can find.

Thanks for the replies. I know as much as I want to get up and get going I need to rest and give my body an opportunity to heal.

I’m a 4 time half marathoner (walking) and as impatient as they get.
BUT, take your time.
I’m 7 weeks out and I echo pender’s suggestion. Elevate, ice and REST!
Honestly it will pay off, so far my best progress has been with rest.