Snapped Achilles Tendon

Di, we’ve had Achilles rupture (ATR) folks here before who were in wheelchairs, but mostly AFTER the injury, especially if they ruptured both ATs at once. You may be the first who started in a wheelchair. “Welcome” — though I’m sure you’d rather not be here. Good luck to you and your mum, too.

With or without surgery, it’s quite important to keep the foot in the right position, specifically the flex angle of the ankle (which is what pulls on the healing AT). A well-fit boot or cast should do that, whether or not you’re in a wheelchair. It’s logical that a surgically repaired ATR could stand a little more abuse during the first few weeks than a non-op one, but immobilization and protection are still very important parts of ATR rehab, either way.

Most good protocols have you NWB (non-weight-bearing) for the first 2 weeks, then moving to Partial WB (PWB). FullWB can come as early as 4 weeks after either, surgery or full non-op immobilization of the ankle. Of course, these things are different for a patient that isn’t returning to walking! Your WB will mostly be shifting in and out of the chair, I’d guess.

Do you stand in deep

I did mine last week, trying to move a box with my wheelchair and got my foot caught. I heard it snap, and then the PAIN. You hear of sports people doing this and here am I, I don’t even walk!. I am not paralysed thou so feel the pain and transferring from my wheelchair is a mission. I have brittle bones (osteo-genesis imperfecta) and cerebral Palsy but never done this, just breaks, which I can assure you are less painful (well most) My mum had a heart attack two days before over here for Christmas so we were both in the same hospital for the night. They may operate as it is very hard for me with plaster and to keep the foot in the right position. No swimming for a few weeks!

Julie - I feel so sorry for you. You must have endured a terrible 6 months waiting for someone to get their act together and put you on the right road to recovery. There are a few people here that have endured long waits before getting the fix, not many though, so you are in a very special club. You will probably feel fairly helpless for the first few weeks but it does get better. You are doing things right so far, pain meds, rest and elevation. I really hope your recovery goes well. A good blog for you to read is Ali39 and Polly’s last post.

i snapped mine on paddies night irish dancing at the age of 39, my doc said id just sprained my calf so 6 months later ive finally had it operated on yesterday, all gone well tho just plenty of meds and keeping it up,

I snapped my achillies about three years ago whilst jogging, yes I too went through surgery, however after the operation I have had no pain what so ever. Just make sure you look after the scar once the plaster comes off. as certain shoes and boot can cause agrivation. Now I can continue with every type of sport that I want. So try not to worry too much

Hi Kim,

I snapped (completely ruptured) my right achilles when I was 21 (ironically playing Netball too).

Then snapped (another complete rupture) my left achilles when I was 26 (playng tennis!). Both operated on.

I can go to the gym and do sport again now.

I think it is more psychological that physical the fact that I do not compete as competitively as I used too.
Although that spring has definately gone.

Do I give up doing sports I love, with great friends and social elements?

In my case no, but I’m just taking bets on which one will re-rupture first!

Who said sport is good for your health?

just smoke sum W E E D and chill man

Hello Kim,

I’m 24 and snapped my achilles while sprinting then i re-ruptured at 5 weeks post-op while tripping and landing on my bad foot.

Just take it easy and you’ll heal up quickly. I got over confident with the amount of time I spent outside of the boot in physical therapy and it came back to bite me.

Good luck!

Hey there Kim,

I also snapped my achilles playing netball and just about the age thing, I’m only 15 years old, they said it was very, very unusual. I’m in a fibre glass cast for 1 month and then I see a specialist and get a scan and he decides what happens from there! They don’t want to do surgery on mine because they are quite confident that it will heal by itself =]

Charlotte

Hi Kimbalee,

Get that checked out, doesn’t sound right to me. Cannot imagine why they would do that.

Annie

The big toenail on my ATR foot has a notch in it where it is paper thin. I noticed this area about 4 weeks post op. It’s starting to grow out thicker with use of the foot. I’ve had toenails fall off after long hikes or running a marathon (that was years ago). The way I look at it is ‘look how smart my body is, it’s taking all that collagen and instead of sending it to my toenail, it’s diverting the supply to heal my tendon!’

Toenails came off? Were they loose before? Any tingling in feet or bad circulation? I’d probably check with GP just in case, haven’t had that happen.

Gidday Kim, from Northern Beaches in Sydney!

If you’re good about staying in bed with your leg elevated and your wound heals faster you might not need to be in cast for 8wks. At 2wks PostOp I went to fiberglass cast which was so much lighter. I’m at 4wks now and in boot. My original estimate was 8wks in cast.

You’ll get the hang of crutches, the first couple of weeks are always the worst.

Kevin

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