I was wondering if I could get some feedback from peoples experiences when starting to walk normally and getting back to normal movement. I am ok walking in 2 shoes now and for the most part it is pain free but I have tightness in my ankle that seems to restrict movement.
I don’t get any pain in the tendon but the tightness restricts movement and I was wondering what people have done to loosen it up. I cannot put my finger on where the tightness is really, but if feels like it is around the ankle bones either side. Will it just loosen up with more walking and physio and is it common?
I am 9 weeks from rupture and non operative and I have been in 2 shoes for a few weeks now. I did over 8600 steps today and half way through the day I iced my ankle to give it a rest and then walked more later. I feel like if I can just get rid of the tightness I would be pretty much normal now (Obviously not healed enough yet but that’s how if feels)
5 responses so far ↓
1 donna // Aug 31, 2015 at 10:51 pm
I described that tightness to feeling like I had a tight sock on…a feeling of tight radiated all over the ankle. It’s NORMAL. Don’t worry, over time it will dissipate. Mine lasted some months after two shoes.
Also FYI, you can get over use soreness from walking too much. I’d advise not increasing your steps too much too soon. INCREMENTAL is key with rehab…please trust me I learned the hard way.
Big smile for you.
2 Mattycee // Sep 1, 2015 at 12:49 am
Thanks Donna I am glad its normal and despite what might seem to the contrary I am actually quite careful and mindful of not overdoing it.
Early in my trip I was walking too much and was in a bit of discomfort so I put my boot back on and used a mobility scooter to rest the Achilles. Everywhere I go I’ve always got my cam walker with me in case I get pain that goes past aches.
Even yesterday I had a break in the middle of the day and iced my ankle and continued walking only after I felt zero discomfort. Most of the pain I get is heel pain and it is mostly due to a pre existing injury I had many years ago. My left leg was run over by a forklift and it split my heel so I still to this day get what feels like electric shocks radiating from the point where my heel split if I touch it or there is pressure on it (Like when walking!)
3 oscillot // Sep 1, 2015 at 2:53 am
I’m in the same boat, Matt. My PT says the ankle ligaments lost flexibility along during my NWB phase. Standing and seated calf stretches help.
Are you able to do a one-legged heel raise yet? Your recovery is going considerably faster than mine, which appears to be a typical benefit of non-op v. surgical.
4 Mattycee // Sep 1, 2015 at 3:53 am
No joy on the one leg heel raise yet. (Can do it in water if that counts!!)
I can walk up and down stairs that are not too deep and walking is mostly fine.
I can march quite well on the spot and I like doing that as for a second, it seems like all is normal, and it is painless and also is exactly the same as it would be if I did not have the injury.
5 kiwibug // Sep 1, 2015 at 11:11 am
I also have tightness in the ankle. It is reassuring to know that it is normal. In fact, it is usually my ankle that swells up when I get swelling not the achilles.
I feel like it is improving slowly, but it is still really noticeable even at nearly 5 months.
Leave a Comment