Out of the boot - Conservative Treatment

Posted on July 8th, 2009 by lpfristensky

It’s time for an update.

For those of you who don’t know, I suffered an ATR on March 26, 2009 while trying to use a skate board. Silly me! Anyhow… I walked around with my ATR for about 3 weeks, because I was afraid of the exuberant costs of health care and thought maybe it was just a sprain or that it might heal.

I thought for sure I would need surgery, but couldn’t afford it and was quite worried. After seeing an ortho, he told me that we could try conservative, non-operative treatment.

About 4 days ago, the Ortho allowed me to take off my walking boot and to start walking with two shoes.

All seems to be going well. I walk with a slight limp, but it is getting better each day. The tendon appears to have healed and there is some scar tissue that can be felt as a lump under the skin. A Thompson Test reveals that the tendon has healed.

Right now there is very little strength in the tendon, but I feel hopeful that it will get much better soon. I will keep you informed.

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  • gymartist | June 27th, 2009 | 12:55 am

    I’m so glad to hear of someone else going the non-surgical route! I did a lot of research on ATR treatments right after I got injured. It was like there was nothing more important to me than making the best decision.

    Both surgeons I saw recommended natural healing. Most of the stuff I saw on the internet was pro-surgery, so I really had my doubts. I did eventually find recent data sising with the non-surgical route, and I watched the surgery on you tube. Watching the surgery and thinking about what is really holding the tendon together in the end made it clear to me that I didn’t need or want surgery. I had ACL repair years ago, and didn’t want to undergo anything like that again. So I avoided it and am very happy so far. I think as time goes on, the natural healing method will become more accepted, as it seems there is still this common belief that surgery is needed for a good recovery.

    I’m week 4, and my tendon is sore but healing. I am determined to make a full recovery, and I wish you the best of luck in your journey to recovery!

  • mazmouza | May 16th, 2009 | 2:53 pm

    Hi there,
    I did the non-operative treatment too. I’m in my 12th week. I went to the hospital pretty much 15 minutes after I ruptured my AT. I didn’t need an ultrasound because it was SOOO VISIBLY ruptured (have gross pictures) that they chose not to do an ultrasound.

    I went in the boot immediately, with a heel lift (see my first/second blog). I started physio pretty quickly too. Right now, I don’t have pain, and i have a good range of motion. The surgeons are happy with the progress. The focus is on rebuilding muscle strength; I have chicken legs.

    I should say I am happy with the procedure. Almost all the ATR patients in the physio center have gone through the non-operative method. Everyone seems happy. The challenge is to get over the doubt: “what if I had performed the surgery”. Sometimes I ask that of myself and immediately realize that it’s pointless to doubt. This is a pretty serious injury and takes months to recover fully. Given the seriousness, I am doing very well.

    I am curious to hear how your progress is going.

  • achillos | May 13th, 2009 | 1:21 pm

    hey there, i went for conservative one week post rupture, and so far the doc is quite happy with me ;) (third week overall). the important thing is to have regular checks via ultrasound to make sure that the ends of your tendon adapt properly.

  • ep1977 | April 13th, 2009 | 4:13 pm

    Glad to hear it. Good luck with the healing.

  • ep1977 | April 13th, 2009 | 9:48 am

    I’m very sorry to hear about your situation. I am in a similiar one myself. Yeah I have insurance but I cannot work so I don’t have any income coming in to pay the bills. Plus PT is twice a week at a $15 copay per visit.

    Try to not let the injury destroy your head, but you must see a ortho immediately. You’re to young to not get your leg properly fixed.

    Good luck

  • Smish | April 13th, 2009 | 6:18 am

    lpfristensky: Almost 19 years ago I found myself in a situation where I NEEDED good medical care and I was 4 weeks short of having my husband’s insurance cover me. I found that doctors and hospitals have 2 separate list of charges. One for those with insurance and one for those without. We got almost $20,000 in charges reduced to $7,500 because we asked about their uninsured direct pay policies. We then went on a payment plan. (Yes, hospitals do have payment plans) It was absolutely amazing how much these great doctors and a really nice hospital was willing to work with us. Also if there is a medical school near you, they also will take patients at a greatly reduced cost. Sounds scary but it actually isn’t. I know many who have gone that route at a medical school near me and their care was superb.

    Beyond that, it sounds like you are going to have to go with the conservative method to fix your Achilles. It is a VERY successful way to treat this injury. Sometimes there are complications that make it not work but that also happens with the surgery route too.

    It is what it is. I am sure it will work out. By the way, I don’t know

    [...]
  • Glen | April 12th, 2009 | 11:23 pm

    Hello,

    I had a complete rupture last August. I had surgery the same day as my injury. Best to get into see an Orthopedic Surgeon ASAP! Try emergency room first. They will direct you to one. There was one on site when I had my injury. Chances are you will definatly need surgery.

    As for insurance. You might try applying for some financial help from the state you live in. Do some research.

    End of this month will be 8 months POST OP. I was in a cast for 6 weeks, walking boot for 2. Then back in shoes while attending therapy. All is well.

    Good Luck to you

    Glen