Yeah, so here is the story. I got it in my head that maybe I could try skate boarding again. Skating a half pipe is actually a rather benign activity, so long as you aren’t trying to do any tricks. I was simply thinking that it might be a better and more fun way to stay in shape, rather than the usual gym fare. If you fall on a half pipe, you fall on soft ply wood and only a foot or two, so no big deal. I remember my wife telling me that I better get insurance first. Ha! Insurance in the US is more than my mortgage. That’s neither here nor there, because I choose to go skating anyhow. I had no idea that my 34 year old body wouldn’t be able to handle the simple exertion of pushing the board for speed.
With my left foot on the board, I pushed off with my right foot and felt as if someone just hit me in the back of the leg. I didn’t really hear a “pop”, but that may be because I heard my skateboard crashing against the back of my ankle. I immediately suspected that something bad had happened! I could hear my wife yelling at me in my mind… ugh.
I limped off the skate park, embarrassed and ashamed of my poor physical condition. For the record, I’m 6” and 215lbs. Male, obviously, as demonstrated in my sheer stupidity.
So… Here is where my story may or may not become unique. I’ve been reading the AchillesBlog for answers to my dilemma, but can’t seem to find any bloggers who are in my situation. Evidently there is a surplus of thousands of dollars in all the bloggers’ pockets, because they all seemed to have opted for surgery and quickly at that.
I do not have insurance! I am not rich! Further, I’m in the process of purchasing a home for my wife and son, so I cannot, at present, make any large purchases or withdrawals from my meager account - the underwriters are watching my every move. For those who say I should have had insurance, know that I make 27k per year and insurance is practically half of that. Sure, I’d have insurance, but I’d be a bit skinny from lack of nutrition, as I’d have no extra money for food, and then the insurance carriers would drop me for being malnourished. Insurance in the US is for the rich, plain and simple (or people with government jobs).
Ut oh, sorry about the politics. Please let me continue.
So, I have not yet been to the doctor and it has now been 2.5 weeks. Without a doubt, I have an Achilles Tendon Rupture. I can feel the gap above my heel and I had my wife do the Thompson’s Test, which proved positive – no planar flexion! I’m scared to death, now, because the Achilles is so vital. I’m an active 30’s male.
I’ve researched the issue and see that either surgery or non-operative casting/boot are my options… but is non-operative really an option after 3 weeks of attempted walking? Won’t they have to re-cut the healing that has already begun? I’ve been walking around on it… stretching it out. At this point, I fear that if I try non-operative, then my Achilles will not have any tension and I will be crippled.
My other fear is that I will HAVE to get surgery. From my research, it appears that surgery will cost me (for just the surgery) about 5-8 thousand dollars of which I do not have. What is to become of me? What happens to those other people, who like me, cannot afford the surgery and did not get non-operative casting within the first 48 hours?
I’d also like to know if any has opted for financing through a hospital. Do hospitals offer financing?
Please, friends, I’d like your suggestions. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I’m tired of reading post after post of people who had surgery within the first week or people who saw a doctor in the first few hours, because that is not my particular situation. I’m sure there must be others, like me, who walked around for a few weeks before realizing the seriousness of the situation. Please respond if you are one of those people.
Thanks.
I’ll keep you posted.
3 Comments »
(third week overall). the important thing is to have regular checks via ultrasound to make sure that the ends of your tendon adapt properly.