KiloMike’s Achilles Blog

Up til my appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon, I don’t think I accepted reality just quite yet. I was still clinging on to the hope that maybe it was a partial tear and recovery wouldn’t take as long.

My father asked me about my appointment when I got home, and it wasn’t when I told him that it would take 6 to 12 months for a full recovery that it kind of sunk in. I couldn’t look my dad in the eye for the rest of the conversation.

I set some goals that I was eager to complete this year, and I found it quite disappointing that they were going to have to wait. Some of them were to: run a marathon in May; complete Tough Mudder with some close friends; learn to rock climb and mountaineer; and go backpacking in Southeast Asia in July and August. Also I did not like the idea that I was going to be useless at work for a good while (I’m in the Army Reserves).

It was annoying; in my head I knew it was not a big deal, there are so many people with REAL problems. But here I was letting these negative thoughts seep into my mind.

So I do what I always do when I began to whine about life: slap myself, tell myself to stop being an asshole, and watch something inspirational.

I actually watched this video again that day: Amy Purdy: Living Beyond Limits

That definitely did it. I began to stop thinking about what I couldn’t do anymore, but what I could still do. I stopped thinking about what goals I couldn’t complete anymore, but what new goals for me to set. And though I might become weaker physically, I knew to be sure to capitalize on this challenge and grow stronger mentally and emotionally.

Anyways you’ll have to pardon me for that last part, it was quite corny. But I am in high spirits these days, and it’s definitely better on this side. Continue Reading »

I met with the Orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday 15/Feb/2012.

Having done some preliminary research, I thought I was set on surgery. It seemed to me that if you wanted to return to full strength and have less chance of a re-rupture, surgery was the choice.

To my surprise, the doctor advised against surgery. He was a fan of a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) that showed the non-surgical route being just as effective, and without the complications of surgery. The problem with past studies was that the conservative methodology was just that, it was too conservative; it required immobilization for about 6 weeks before even beginning rehab. This study used a much more "aggressive" rehabilitation approach.

(I would later find the link to the article here: Operative versus Nonoperative Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures )

In the end he mentioned it was my choice, but I listened to him. There were some other factors as well, main one being that I did not want to miss work for any longer than I would have to.

I was strapped into an AirCast Boot fitted with heel wedges (to provide a 20 degree plantar flexion), given crutches, and advised to go non-weight bearing (NWB) for 2 weeks before seeing him again.

Though with my arrogance, impatient nature, and very (overly) optimistic view I haven’t been NWB but that’s a blog post for another time.

* On a Side Note *

I just wanted to add that I was actually misdiagnosed when I went to a walk in clinic the day after my injury. I expressed my concern that I was afraid I had an ATR, so the doctor gave me a couple tests to see if I could exert pressure against her hand with my foot. She said I had simply strained the tendon and to rest up for 2 weeks and then come back and see her.

I was relieved, but I still had a lingering in my gut that it was worse than she said it was. I went and got a second opinion the next day, and was told immediately to go to the ER after the doctor performed the Thompson Test. It was then that I got scheduled to meet with the Orthopedic surgeon.

I have all the respect for doctors in the world; many of my close friends are pursuing that path. It is rigorous, demanding, and most often at times an under-appreciated profession. Doctors make mistakes, I understand that. But if you are unsure, I do advise to get a second opinion.

Rupturing my Achilles only increased the amount of items that I need to complete on an everyday basis. Regardless I have decided to procrastinate even more and start a blog detailing my Achilles tendon rupture.

First, a bit about myself.

My name is Kevin and I am 23 years old and exercise is daily ritual I can’t do without. It’s the part of my day where I can reset, clear my mind and have that personal time to collect my thoughts. Of course, the endorphins that are released during exercise is a big plus too.

Anyways, I ruptured my left Achilles tendon on Sunday night, 12/Feb/2012. I was doing a circuit of shuttle runs, farmer’s walk, and jump rope when I heard a big "pop" while doing some double unders.

I thought I bumped into a dumbbell behind me but there was nothing there when I looked. I immediately lost balance in my left foot and couldn’t help but kneel down. I could feel a numbing sensation in my left achilles and when I went to feel it, I couldn’t feel it. That’s when I began to panic.

My first logical thought was, "crap, how long til I can work out again?" (OK maybe not that logical but you exercise addicts will understand) It then ran through my mind that maybe this was pretty serious. I limped back to my car and quickly drove home and applied RICE.

I didn’t feel any more incapacitated than a sprained ankle so I carried out my activities as usual while limping. In retrospect, I probably should have gone to the ER that night.

There was some pain, but it was tolerable so sleeping was not an issue. I decided I would go to a walk in clinic first thing in the morning.