Day#47 Post Surgery:
It’s day 3 out of the cast, and went to PT today for the second session. We worked on light ROM exercises: standing holding onto table on both feet, leaning slightly forward to gently stretch the AT; weight-shift exercise - standing on both feet (while holding onto table) - shifting weight gently back and forth to the left/right; while lying down: clockwise and counter CW cirlcle with foot/ankle; raising and lowering toes to work on ROM. Light massage on ankle for 15 mins. Ice/elevation for 15 mins.
I haven’t experienced any pain as a result of the PT. In fact, my pain is basically “0″. I still experience swelling if the leg is down…and my foot turns purple. But no pain.
I’ve reviewed other recovery protocols on the achillesblog site, from conservative to aggressive. I have great respect for my doctor, who is a very experienced guy - residency at Mayo Clinic - Chief Resident, etc. He in my opinion was conservative for the first 45 days, as I was in a cast for 6+ weeks. Where other protocols have you in a cast for 2 to 4 weeks, then into a boot for 4 weeks. Dr. C indicated that I should be cautious and take is slow for the next few weeks. Light PT to work on ROM and strength. In 20 years or so, he has seen 2 re-ruptures: one guy was a realtor who was stomping down on a for sale sign with his injured leg…not too bright. The other was a slip.
I am glad a heck to be out of the cast…and able to start to work on the PT/recovery process. Since the PT has been light so far, I think it will be a good thing. That being said, I’m not going to be in a hurry to rush into walking / wearing a shoe / FWB.
Let me know your perspective and experience, or if I’m missing something.
Also, I did drive today for the first time! Drove myself to PT - which was only a 1 mile drive.
Cheers,
MCav
4 responses so far ↓
1 stevew // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Congratulations on getting out of the cast ansd starting PT. I bet you’re going to start seeing some real gains in your recovery. I’m just about to start real PT myself and am interested in hearing how others fo their PT and how it helps them, so please keep posting your experiences.
Good luck with the rehab.
Steve
2 mcav // Sep 24, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Thanks, Steve. Will do. Good luck with your PT efforts!
3 daveleft // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hey MCav. Since you asked…if I had to do it all over again (which, as a re-rupture, I did), I would definitely take the conservative approach and not push anything. The one thing that bears repeating is that no matter how aggressive or conservative you are in the beginning, it still is twelve months to full recovery for all ATR procedures. Listen to your body and don’t push it. Good luck with your healing!
4 walshie // Sep 25, 2008 at 7:48 pm
mcav you are doing great.
It sounds like a cliche but your body will let you know that you are getting better w/o you really realizing it.
You will start to lose the limp, you will start to walk up stairs and not favor your good leg, you will get out of cars and not think of what foot youre stepping out with…I know you are getting antsy and frustrated but just keep going, you’ll be back near full-strength before you know it.
PT really helps, it seems monotonous but its vital. Go as often as your script allows.
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