kamueller’s AchillesBlog

I feel like you’re the only other person, aside from me, recovering from a torn Achilles and is experiencing posterior tibial tendon pain!!! How long did it take for your PTT to stop hurting? Did you just back off your activity level, have PT done on the posterior tibial tendon, and added shoe inserts? Mine is killing me and has been for several weeks now. I’ve pretty much backed off on all my activities, icing like crazy, and gone to see a PT specifically about it along with a sports medicine doctor who said she doesn’t think it’s torn. But I’ve also scheduled an MRI for it because I’m incredibly concerned about the PTT pain.

@beginnersmind19 There were lots of ups and downs day to day. It was more helpful to see progress in terms of weeks, where I could clearly see improvement. I still get random pains shooting through my foot, especially around the numbed area. Probably trying to come back to life. Also, I’m 47 and I’ve accepted the fact that life now is random unexplained pains here and there, lol.

Sorry about your PTT but glad you got it calmed down. Note taken about listening to our body and slowing down. I am at 10 weeks and have began full weight bearing exercises and even walking barefoot at PT but my foot near my last two toes has sharp pain that comes and goes to the point that I am walking barefoot in PT one day and then can’t barely stand on the foot the next. Very weird, likely from the nerve damage and the nerves trying to re-innervate the muscles in my foot which feels really weak. Does this all sound normal to you guys in terms of having ups and downs while trying to get back to walking in shoes?

Anyway, thanks for sharing kamueller and congrats on being cleared! Stay diligent and keep up the hard work to make sure you get all your strength back. Best of luck, you’ll be jumping like cserpent in no time!

Thanks, cserpent! I am having more moments that feel more normal-ish. I’m just glad the PTT is improving because I was terrified that I had torn it too. So I’m slowing down, but pressing forward.

Way to go! Congrats on being released at 5 months! And definitely don’t overdue it! Setbacks suck - LOL! Setbacks set me back over a month - only because I didn’t know how I was overdoing it. But I’m making progress again - at 7 months and just starting to run/walk. But I can do an unassisted heel lift on one foot. So, again, recovery for each of us is unique. I have moments when my foot feels totally normal. A nice change, but it doesn’t happen too often yet.

@beginnersmind19 I don’t recall doing any towel curls. I didn’t start PT until after I was out of the boot at 12 weeks, so it wasn’t on the list of things to do. Also, my doctor had me driving at 3 weeks and I was starting to walk a bi at 4 weeks, so that was more than enough. But I was doing both of those things with quite a bit of numbness along the side of my foot.

I have been reading back through your journey and since I am at week 5.5 I have a question here for you!

You said in this post ROM is good, alphabet easy and toe curls easy. I also have good ROM and alphabet is easy, I can also curl my toes pretty good, though not like my good foot.

My question is, at this point were you able to do towel curls with your toes? I am barely able to get a grip of the towel so i can curl it in much if at all. I am curious because the nerve damage i have is affected the bottom of my toes mainly so when I put my foot to the floor or curl my toes, it feels like it is swollen or there is a sock stuffed right between the ball of my foot and my toes. I am curious if that is holding back my progression, because I feel like without that i would actually be able to pull the towel in.

Hope that makes sense, let me know!

kamueller - good to hear a positive update from you and that life is returning to ’somewhat’ normal.

Isn’t that so true for us active folks? Working out like we used to IS normal life for us so I feel you on that. We will get there, slowly but surely as you said yourself

Jealously happy your foot no longer swells as much, that sounds so good lol

Hi kamueller - a walk on Coronado beach?! Awesome and good for you. That must have been refreshing to say the least.

I have read through all your posts so far, you are recovering so well! My surgeon has me on a similalry aggressive protocol, albeit not quite FWB on week 2, but PWB starting at that time.

Looking forward to hearing more, and for the time you can ditch the boot completely, even for those hectic airports!

You are going to crush PT, I know it.

Keep it up, and Happy New Year

I’m at 20 weeks and still have to walk slow and concentrate on rolling as well if I want to walk with an almost normal gait. I can still feel weakness as I roll through so I know even my slow walk is not completely normal.

That’s my problem too. I have to really slow down and concentrate on rolling through the whole foot when I’m walking. Good luck at PT, I think you’ll start to look forward to it a little bit!

Congrats on the “official” release. Definitely massage all around the incision area to work on breaking up the scar tissue.

LOL! My hubby says they are fugly

I agree! Crocs are awesome! I always thought they were ugly as well but for ATRers they are perfect!

I can’t believe how comfortable the Crocs are! People kept telling me over the years, but I just didn’t listen.

Glad to hear you’re feeling progress in your foot! I can relate to not being a crossfitter, but being someone who does crossfit - LOL! That’s how I feel about most exercise and my soccer playing I’m anxiously awaiting when mine is strong enough to do a heel lift without arm assistance I’m not there still, but I do test it every now and then. Too funny that you dismissed crocs due to their looks. I started wearing them when my bone spur started bugging me 12+ years ago. And they’re very convenient to slide on after a soccer game.

How awesome that you have a date, I am so excited for you! Just one more month of the boot, woo hoo

Bummer that you’re still having pain at night and trouble sleeping. I hope that’s improved some by now.

And hopefully your tendon got to rest during your travels.

Keep your head up….one day at a time. You’re doing great!

Man, even if I wanted to walk barefoot I couldn’t. I really don’t know how you’re doing it and we’re at the same point in our recovery! Someone else also recommend slip on clogs for walking around the house in. I think that’s what I’m going to get when I get the okay to move away from the boot. Just remember, patience and baby steps!

If you’re walking around bootless and flat (no elevation) that could also be adding to your pain since you’re pulling on the achilles while things are still healing. The fact that your still using wedges indicates that the doc doesn’t want the achilles stretched by having your foot flat. So find some slippers that you can put heel wedges in if you want something that you can slip into quickly at night. I just chose to use the knee scooter for bathroom visits when I was told to walk only in the boot. When I finally got the OK to use shoes but still had to be elevated I wore some clogs I have that are about the same elevation angle as the heel wedge I was wearing in my shoes.

And I had a pain running right under my ankle on the outside of my foot after my right foot surgery. My doc said that was just a nerve that got annoyed by the surgery and nerves take a while to calm down again. I think it took about 3-4 weeks before it stopped bugging me. I haven’t had any similar pain on my left foot. I have some numbness on the back of my right heel that has never gone away completely. It’s kind of weird since the surface nerves seem to be numb (I don’t feel it if I push lightly on that area) but the deeper nerves are not numb (I do feel it if I push hard on that area). My doc said that area may never regain all the feeling. It’s just one of the risks of surgery.

My doc didn’t let me start PT until I was in shoes either. And you will need PT if you want to get the strength and flexibility back. Sorry you’re still not sleeping well. I know how bad that can be. I’m still taking ibuprofen before I go to bed just about every night. And if I’ve pushed things too far I take it during the day as well. In fact it’s time to go take some now since my achilles is still complaining from my overdoing the heel raises on Saturday.

Hi Junebug! I lucked out with my surgeon, that’s for sure. When he told me before surgery that I would be this mobile this quickly, I was very skeptical. I was still skeptical when he told me that I could walk and drive immediately after taking the staples out 10 days after surgery. I needed him to give me reassurance to counter everything I’ve read about the slower protocols here on this site.

He said my sutures were permanent, not dissolvable, and were strong. He assured me that the only way I’ll rerupture is if I fell without the boot, and that my muscles simply weren’t strong enough to damage the sutures. He said to ditch the crutches and get moving.

I took it day by day, first PWB with two crutches, then one, then just used the scooter at school. Last week, I ditched the scooter (except when I really needed to skate through a crowd of teenagers). I started driving with one trip, then 40 minutes, then to work. I trained my left foot to brake to give my tendon a break. Early last week, I rested my bare foot on the ground, then put weight on it, then stood, then a few steps. Now I’m cruising. I hope to try the stairs next w

Wow. Your surgery date was one day before mine yet I can’t believe the immense difference in our protocols and recovery. You are up and motoring around, I’m in a boot and haven’t even begun the PWB step of the recovery. I still have scabs at the incision and it’s really pink and SUPER sensitive. I know I’m not suppose to compare because everyone recovers at a different rate, but damn! Makes me want to push things a bit more. But I won’t. Following my doctors orders to the tee. Really impressive. Keep up the great progress!!

For my right foot I periodically got stabbing pains right under the ankle. When I asked my doc about it he said it was a nerve complaining due to the fact that it got messed with during surgery. Of course I didn’t have a sprain adding to the healing woes.

Hopefully you won’t need to go in search of a calf! LOL!

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I’m just having hot flashes that are aggravating the swelling from the ankle sprain. When my body heats up, my foot gets worse. Hmmm…

Last night was somewhat better. Fell asleep fine and only woke up once with a throbbing pain on my outside ankle. Nothing seemed to help it subside. The pain went away on its own.

I ice in the bed with my cooler, sleep with it elevated, tried all different combinations of Tylenol and ibuprofen, tried with the compression sock and without. Tried different types of compression socks. Benadryl. Melatonin.

The next step must be the sacrifice of a young calf, but they don’t sell those on Amazon.

The sprain will go away eventually. I just hope I don’t lose my mind before that happens.

I remember many sleep problems with my right foot! I was going crazy. Unfortunately I never slept well until I was boot free in bed. It wasn’t quite so bad with my left foot - not sure why. But with my left foot the hydrocodone was a bad thing. It stayed in my system for 5 days after I stopped taking it. Random waves of nausea - not good. One suggestion, if you haven’t already tried it, is ice and elevate before you go to bed? And take advil if you can. I still have to take that at night. Between my foot and my wrist I have 2 aches. I usually take 3 advil before bed and that knocks down the throbbing enough to sleep. Glad to hear you are doing better overall. 7500 steps! Wow that is overdoing it! Slow down, let the foot heal and be patient. Unfortunately the healing process can’t be rushed.

Kamueller-sorry about the sleeping challenges doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. I am guessing that Tylenol doesn’t help with the pain? Be careful not to push too hard at 4 weeks with the FWB.

Hope you get some good sleep soon!

The pain on the outside of the foot may be the nerves that got jangled during surgery. For my right foot I had pain on the outside of the foot right under the ankle. When I asked my doc about it he said there is a nerve there that probably got annoyed by the surgery. It took a while to calm down, but did eventually. Now for my left foot most of the pain is on the inside of the foot just where the curve of the heel is. I see my doc on Monday so I’m going to ask him what causes that pain spot. And you can still ice if you’re swelling I’ve been on my feet too much so I’m icing again/elevating in the evening and sometimes during the day as well.

As for numbness I still have one small spot on the back of my right heel that still doesn’t have much feeling. It is smaller in size than early on in the healing process. I’m guessing it will stay that way. That was one of the warnings in the pre-surgery discussion - possible permanent numbness.

I think I really lucked out because my rupture happened at work. The Work Comp insurance company sent me to an experienced surgeon who does Work Comp cases. His goal is to get me off the state’s dime as soon as possible, but without causing more expensive damage. So I’m getting the latest and greatest of the early mobilization protocol, which has significantly improved the quality of my life. Being able to put your foot down and move around without crutches is huge.

I’ve driven myself to work all week. It feels like PT might feel. Tendon gets tired, but it gets more tolerable each day. I don’t really like driving though. It doesn’t hurt, but it doesn’t feel good either. I usually love to drive, and now I can’t wait to get to my destination. But I am so so so happy to be independent again. It gets better every week.

Nightime swelling is still bad and uncomfortable. All part of the process, but it would nice to be able to get a good night’s sleep. Still have some numbness and pain on the outside of my foot.

But…I think I might feel the beginnings of a calf muscle reawakening from atrophy.

Wow! 3 weeks post-op and driving? Lucky you
I’ll be 3 weeks post-op tomorrow (complete rupture), and my first post-op with my surgeon is on Monday afternoon. I’m hoping my cast comes off then, and I’ll be put into a boot, even if I’ll still be NWB status.
I look forward to reading more about your recovery as it continues! On the group tracker, I noticed that our dates of injury and surgery are within a few days of each other.

Way to go! When I had my right foot done I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks - agghh!!! But mine was surgery. Still at week 6 I got the OK and I was out there driving ASAP - LOL! I’m at week 10 on my left foot and still swelling. Nothing that an advil can’t deal with at night and as I sleep the swelling goes down. My doc had me elevating 90% of the time from weeks 1-3 and then 1/2 time from weeks 3-6 so keep elevating and icing as much as you can. I’m still icing and elevating when I’ve overdone it a bit too much.

Very encouraging! Based on your post… I am thinking about attempting to get in the car today and give it a go. The swelling is a hassle and I have been ice/elevating every night and morning. I’ll occasionally take a pain pill to help with pain and getting to sleep but it interferes (reduces) deep slow wave sleep which I am guessing is important to healing. Glad you are doing well and look forward to hearing about your recovery.

Wow, that’s awesome, although somewhat scary as well. FWB 3 weeks post-op is amazing to me. I am non-surgical, and I was more like 5 weeks post-injury, two weeks into the boot before I was FWB.
I am still in the boot, and not driving. I’m retired so I don’t need to drive. I got in my car with the boot and I suppose I could to save someone’s life, but I don’t think it would be very pretty.
Good luck, be careful!

Tony23, it was a complete rupture. Doctor said it was completely blown.I’m happy to be weight-bearing this early, but also nervous when reading about how long everyone else’s recovery seems to be. But he seems to be really sure that the non-absorbing sutures were going to hold up against anything, aside from falling without the boot. He does plan to keep me in the boot for three months, so perhaps that will compensate for the early weightbearing.

Wow I’m 2weeks post surgery today and on my 1st visit with my orthopedic Doctor he puts me in cast. I was expecting maybe a boot but he said 2 more weeks non weight bearing. Was your injury a complete Achilles rupture?

If you haven’t been able to see your ankle then I’m betting a lot of the pain you’re feeling is from the swelling. I’m surprised your doc didn’t emphasize to you to keep the swelling down. My doc emphasized it multiple times and when I asked why I totally got it and focused on keeping the swelling down during the first 3 weeks when I was told to elevate 90% of the time. Now the only time I get any pain is when I’m on my feet too long and I get swelling. Swelling will slow down healing and increase pain. Most parts of your body has some fat than can be squeezed around when you get swelling so it isn’t all that detrimental. Your feet have very little fat so when you get swelling you are pushing on vital foot parts and stretching out the skin. Those foot parts don’t like having the added pressure. My guess is if you elevate and ice more and keep the swelling down a lot of the pain will go away. Though it might take a little while since those things that have been pressured by the swelling will take a bit of time to calm down once they aren’t being squeezed anymore. I know nerves take a while to calm down.

Hi cserpent! I can’t get to the gym again until I can drive. I’ve been doing core work and upper body work with my on 20lb kettlebell, but that’s it. I can’t wait to drive again!

I know I’m whining. I’ve spent a lot of time on this site for the past month and I know I am VERY lucky to have progressed this far this quickly. When comparing myself to others with ATR, I have no reason to complain. But you know how it gets sometimes. I have my moments.

I hated going up the stairs more than once a day to grab clothes. I didn’t want to drag the scooter up as I’ve had a couple of slips since surgery (fell off the scooter once), so I just didn’t want to risk it again. it really hurt!

Good news is that I can feel my ankle bone again, so the swelling is starting to subside. Hopefully, the numbness and pain (pins/needles/burning sensation) wear off soon and I can stop the narcotic. I hate taking that stuff! But it’s weird that the tendon doesn’t really hurt at all and the pain is elsewhere in my foot.

You can do a lot of exercising with essentially one foot If you have access to a gym you can still do weights (sitting), rowing (just strap the good foot in) and possibly recumbent biking (check with your doc, you can probably use both feet if you’re already OK to walk). If at home there are a LOT of videos about what exercises to do while the foot is recovering. Once the incision heals completely swimming is also a good workout. In fact I need to get myself back into the pool!

Just be thankful that you’re already walking! I was NWB for 5 weeks! I didn’t let that keep me from going upstairs. I just butt scooted up/down the stairs and if my hubby wasn’t around I hauled my knee scooter up/down the stairs too. So quitcha whining! LOL! Just joking - I know how frustrating this all can be. And, lucky for you if hydrocodone helps you sleep. At most I got 2 hours of sleep out of a pill but a lot of nausea so this time around I stopped taking them after 3 days. Unfortunately the nausea stayed around for another week as the crap worked its way out of my system - ugh!