Jul 21 2010
2.5 years post ATR and achilles is hanging on. Days filled with tennis and 10K’s.
It’s been 2.5 years since my ATR. Since then I’m back at playing tennis, even singles tennis. And I’ve been running 4 times a week since January. My first 10K is in a week. Then, setting my sights on a half marathon. I kind of thought that once achilles was repaired it would feel perfect. Many times I feel like the tendonitis has returned, but I’m still going. And, my bad foot is still so tight; and it’s been 2.5 years. Some of the tightness is due to adhesions. I had a huge open wound for 6 mths bec staples didn’t hold the incision, so had MRSA too and wound closure took a while. I laugh because I wish they had a vacuum cleaner that could suction the adherred skin away from my tendon. Because no way, no how will I ever have anything surgically done to fix it. I check in with the site and I enjoy reading about everyone’s journey. Since my rupture I’m fitter than I’ve been in 10+ years. And, often when I run I think how lucky I am to have legs that work to be able to run at all. Definitely makes me appreciate the road we’ve been on–how far we’ve come and how much more we can do. Hang in there you guys! You’ll be back to being your best self in no time!
Thanks for the update, Kristin. Sorry you’re legs not perfect, but it sounds like YOU’re pretty close to perfect, which is even better!
AAARGH! Make that “Sorry your leg’s not perfect, . . .”!! I would have to make ugly mistakes on a site that doesn’t let me go back and fix them!!
Norm - Thanks for your post! And, you are a PERFECT editor…Mr. Grammar Guru.
hehehehe….I was wondering why your punctuation wasn’t correct…SIGH…now I can sleep at night! 
You are awesome!
Hi Kristin: I was a tennis ATR, 22 weeks ago, and contemplating a return with great trepidation. I chose the non surgical repair route and, so far, with great results. How long after did your return to tennis begin and what kind of experience have you had? Are you at full pre ATR mode? Hate to ask this, but your age would be of interest.
Great to hear how well you’re doing.
Hey there! I returned to tennis about 1 year after my rupture. My situation was a little different and slow because I had a huge open wound for 6 mths after my surgery, so that kind of put a hold on a lot of things. And, when I began playing again it was for doubles, not singles. At the 2 year mark I felt comfortable to do the running around in singles. Tennis is the one thing that aggravates the crap out of my bad foot still. I feel like tendonitis is back. It’s all the stopping and starting. I try and remember to wear an ankle brace on my bad foot when I play. And, after I warm up for a long while I stretch throughout the match. So, I kind of feel like I do what I can, like stretching and things. (It doesn’t help mentally when, 6 months prior to my rupture a friend of mine ruptured. Then, last winter during our doubles tennis match POP…she ruptured the other foot. I think about that often. But, if it’s going to re-rutpure it’s going to re-rupture. Or, if I’m going to rupture the other one then it’s going to happen. I don’t want to spend my life not playing because I really enjoy the game. When you asked if I’m at full pre ATR mode. I’m actually much better than that. Prior to my ATR I didn’t run. I’ve been getting in much better shape, running all the time, playing more tennis post my ATR. I’ve been enjoying a really active, normal life. I will say, after I run or after a match….later that day I limp really bad. People look at me funny and wonder what’s wrong. But, once I’ve warmed up all is well. And, I just turned the big 4-0!
Hang in there! You can be back on the court if you want too…in time! Thanks for your message! Happy healing!!!!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Kristin, did you have tendinitis before your ATR? After I went back to “killer” volleyball, post ATR #1 (and surgery), at 10-11 months, that ankle never bothered me at all, in any way. I wonder why yours still complains from a good tough workout.
Even with the infection and the open wound, I would have hoped that by now it would have forgiven you for everything. Anyhoo, it still sounds like you (and your tennis, and your life) are pretty perfect, which is what matters!
Even now, ~7.5 months into the non-surgical cure (at 65!), my ankle never complains about my normal summer activities — sailing small boats, and bicycling a fair amount. Saturday night it complained a bit, for the first time in many months, after a few aggressive semi-PT boogies at a post Regatta dance. In addition to my usual “moves”, I injected a LOT of rhythmically dancing-walking BACKWARDS. That is a great workout for the calf muscles!
Thanks Kristin. I’m about to venture back to a slow paced doubles and see how it goes. It will be a while before I can get back to 4.0/4.5 speed, I think.
Your wound difficulties present another example of the perils of surgery, so thanks for that also.
I assume your ATR was while playing tennis and now you’ve seen several others. In my case, I had just served, not gone to net, and received a drop shot, pushed off to spring forward and POP! I’m curious if yours was similar, i.e. front to back, and those with which you’re familiar? I also had a little tightness pain a few points before, a kind of warning, which I will notice for sure if it happens again. Did you?
Norm, were you moonwalking?
You go Sailor Norm! That’s great that your foot barely complains. Yep, I had tendonitis pre-ATR. I guess I was silly thinking it would go away once surgery repaired everything. But, I did..thought it would be perfect! Can’t imagine at 7.5 months your foot is feeling awesome! My shoes off to you! You are a Disco Duck!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Hey Gunner. Yep, mine was during a match. And, my doubles partner was during a match. We were just stepping up to hit a return of serve, so nothing crazy, no sprint. Just stepped forward and oop’s. And, I had tendonitis in my foot before. It still feels tight like beore…oh, I don’t wanna think about that.
Enjoy your return to the game. After a while you’ll have trust in your foot to run down those short balls, but take it easy at first. Have fun!!!!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Many, maybe most, people DO find that an ATR cures their AT tendonitis, K. Yours must be exceptional somehow. (There are good times to be exceptional, and. . .)