Decided to go ahead with a ski lessons after the physio had said I’d be safe, from an achillies point of view, for a ski holiday in January and advised a couple of lessons before the holiday. Any advice regarding specific exercises to improve my experience gratefully recieved.
When I first had this injury in March, [...]
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took Cipro for UTI. month later achilles tendon ruptured. Anyone tried to sue drug company? This is horrible that so many people are hurt like this. I wish I could some how get the word out to doctors and people not to prescribe this drug. Im 64 and starting my retirement with this cast on. Im scared my other tendon will tare.
Oh no, sorry to hear about the break but glad it’s not another ATR for you! I remember your username from 2 years ago as that was around when I ruptured mine as well.
Get better soon!
To top it off I’ve just booked a weeks skiing in January in the Alps, I’m going to visit my daughter who has been in NZ for their winter season and my confidence in doing this is partly thanks to this injury and also this ATR Blog.
Thanks for the posative comments.
KG : No I won’t be skiing again this season, the nearest resorts are the Alpine ones (apologies Scotland) and its a dear do! Maybe next year??
Ron: LOL I have an image of you doing the caveman walk. Yes I intend to get back to running, I’ll give it another whirl when the weather picks up
Anne and Pamg: thanks for the applause. I think its good to try new adventurous activities…….I’m wondering what next?
Brilliant news Micah. I know how you feel about getting your feet back into high-heels 
But your stumble sounds scarey - it’s that thought of going backwards in the recovery that has made me very cautious about wearing anything high, but it is nice to put some pretty shoes on for a change
You’ve proved you’re never too old to learn ( I can say this to you, because I’m 50 
)
Maybe when the weather is better you’ll start running again.
Congrats Micah!
It must have felt great!
What I did trying to walk was went caveman style, meaning, I walking faster and faster over a few days into I was fast walking to slow jogging (90 year old like). LOL.
If a particular area hurts, I add exercises for it and consult my PT. I am not pushing through the pain, but instead address the problem as I go along (to run faster…). This way, my PT is monitoring how fast I progress as well.
I hope that makes sense, and helps.
Ron
Congrats Micah! Bravo on the accomplishment!
I peek my head in around here every now and again. I’m getting ready for a nine month update very soon. I’ve no complaints at this point. Will you be skiing again this season? We’ve had unseasonably warm winter so no skiing for me this year–unless things change drastically in the next month or so.
Hi Kellygirl, nice to see you’re still loitering around here occasionally! How are those calves of yours? I hope the running is going well and the achilles is behaving. x
Helllloooo, Micah! Sorry to hear about your temporary set back but thrilled to hear that you were skiing and feeling good! I will give you a standing ovation for learning to ski at 52. I learned in my early 20s and felt like I was a late bloomer. (Actually, still waiting to bloom but that’s another story.) This injury definitely tests you and you have come out with an A+. Great to hear from you. Thanks for the update!
Right on, MIcah! Lol re: the rib soreness. I think it’s because you are doing something new. Reminds me of the time I tried snowboarding. I was SO sore everywhere I could hardly get dressed/undressed the next few days. Sounds like you are fairing better than I was if only your ribs hurt! Good luck!
It is indeed my first time at skiing, and I am by no means in shape! Why are my ribs aching when I thought it would be my legs and knees that were suffering? Its hurting my ribs when I do my heel raises today…..must be those muscles I didn’t know I had 
Is this your first time skiing, Micah? If so, congratulations! Every winter, I say I’m going to get in shape for skiing but have yet to follow through on it–I’ll be checking back here for tips!
Dennis, is there a downside to enabling it sitewide?
I don’t think I understand the difference between the two — making it the default and enabling it sitewide. Do you mean that if you enabled it sitewide nobody could turn it OFF on their own blog page? That doesn’t sound bad to me, but maybe you could announce & explain the possibility first (here somewhere) and see if anybody has any objections.
Indoor on real snow actually! haha….there’s a few places in the uk now, http://www.snowdome.co.uk/ All good fun.
Was that lesson on SNOW?? Where? Indoor carpet-skiing in England?
norm, not sure if it’s possible to change the default setting for AJAX Editing, unless I enable it sitewide, I think. If you happen know how to set the defaults, let me know. I am ok with the change.
Its reassuring to be reminded that the single heel raise normally takes some time Norm thanks.
Kelly and Lou, thanks for continuing to read my posts, we’re all at a similar stage I think, and this time next year who knows where we’ll all be!
Craig, the first micro- run in the gym had me brimming with tears and after I’d hugged the physio a couple of times I pulled myself together! I went for a run/walk along my road when I got in and it felt fantastic, and no ill effects the next day either. The calf feels a bit tight when I’ve been sat for some time and when I get up in the morning, but once I’ve done the step exercises it feels almost normal again.
Feeling pretty happy with it all, I hope everyone else is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel too.
Awesome news about running! Let us know how the first run went. Mine was pretty exhilarating and emotional.
Good for you for planning that skiing trip also and enjoy the time with family.
Dennis, is it possible to make AJAX Editing ON for 15 minutes the DEFAULT on this site? Is there a downside?
If you can find “AJAX Editing” in your options and turn it on (for say 15 minutes or more), it will give us all a chance to correct our own typos, if we’re prompt. (I’m prompt now, and I’m staring at a few typos I wish I could fix.)
Bionic, I try to preach non-op only to those who are still deciding and those who are curious about the ongoing evidence. Happy to do what I can to help with your post-op recovery.
My own personal experience is not average of the UWO study’s results, or Exeter’s. It’s a single data point, and some parts of typical, some not. Typically, my second (non-op) recovery was quicker and way “nicer” — less pain, less time off work, no time moaning in bed, no scar — than the first. It was quicker mostly because it was 8 years later (end 2009 vs. end 2001), the UWO study results were being presented at AAOS meetings, and my new OS had attended and been converted — to fast ATR rehab and also to non-op.
Also somewhat typically, my first ATR was repaired short, which has been good and bad. Good that I got back to easy multiple full-height heel raises by ~10 months post-op and returned to aggressive full-bore competitive volleyball (court and beach) with no noticeable deficit anywhere. Bad that I’ve since developed a “trick” knee on that side that’s got me stretching, exercising, taking PT, and hesitating to return to competitive (mostly beac
Norm, I don’t want to get into a debate re surgery or not. I’m surgery and happy about that at this time and open to seeing it differently in the future.
I saw the CFL player video who was non-surg and that was amazing. It’s just nice to see people doing well regardless of procedure.
I hope to run like the wind again even if it means rupturing my other one. From what I’ve read in your posts, it seemed to me that your non-surgery experience was much better outcome. Is that true? If so, how do you reconcile that with waiting 3 years for full normal 1- leg heel raise? My future ATR needs to know.
Great news Micha! What an inspirational and uplifting post. Nice that someone is on the upside of recovery. Enjoy the skiing.
Terrific news, Micah! I’m so happy for you. It sounds like you are making really good progress these days and that the confidence is coming back. Enjoy your running and skiing!
Many of us waited ’til 10-11 months to get full normal 1-leg heel raises back. And on my 2nd ATR, I’m still waiting after 3-ish years!
Congratulations! I can do hands free double heel lifts but have to put my hands down and bent knee heel lift. Still working to strengthen my ankle.
Well done!!
I am dreaming of a single heel lift!
Brokendad - It is our JOB to embarrass them.
I find using my arms and putting all of my weight on a counter, or a child’s shoulders and making loud grunting noises really helps me!
Yeah!! I remember feeling soo excited that day!
Craig - Your comment gives me the impression that I will need to ask “permission” to do new things. This never occurred to me before. Begging forgiveness seemed so much easier. Good thing I’m still learning while the cast is still on.
Lodin and Micah- I embarrass my teen by merely being near him in public, so why not get some reps in ……
FYI - I found rolling from my heel helps.
Take care,
Oh I’ll raise a glass to that!!!
Thanks everyone for being as excited as me about the heel raises. I hope you will raise a glass with me tonight.
Fancy missing an opportunity to make my teenager wince in shame! Lol.
I periodically try single heel raises while waiting in line or just hanging out….but other than the strained look on my face I got nothing. It kind of embarrasses my kids which naturally mkes me try even harder!
Awesome news - my PT just gave me the go ahead to start working on it. I try like mad but that thing never comes off the ground, can’t wait to experience the same awesome feeling you had from it!!! Congrats
Great news. For me it took a few times for my mind to once again control those unused muscles . As they say, a centimeter here, a centimeter there, soon you will be inches high.
Inches are bigger than centimeters, right? ;).
Take care,
That’s awesome, Micah! I keep thinking that one of these days I’m going to get some single leg upward movement! I guess I’m just going to have to follow your lead. Keep up the most excellent work!
Congrats Mich! Pretty exciting stuff. A pixie heel lift sounds pretty darn good. Keep up the good work.
Woo Hoo! Congrats Micah! I’m really happy for you.
Great post card, Micah! Your holiday sounded wonderful and I’m a little envious. Summer is over here in the Bay Area. The kids went back to school last week. Summer flew by.
I am so excited to hear that you are walking up stairs like a champ! I “think” I am getting less flat footed myself–although I’m still behind you. What I can do now very well is walk downstairs like a normal person–no rolling off the edge of the step. My kids even told me the other day that I don’t walk as gimpy–still gimpy but apparently not as embarrassing (to them.) Or, it could be they just wanted me to keep shopping and buying them school clothes. I keep meaning to have them video me–but there’s never a good time or good lighting by the time I remember.
Keep up the good work. It was great to hear from you!
OK thanks,
do get sick pay so don’t need to hurry back. Just feel bad leaving all the work to my colleagues. But really don’t want to risk a re-rupture.
How weak and unstable do you feel when you are first out of the boot? My whole leg has withered. I can’t imagine walking.
And what shoes did you wear? When did you get back into normal shoes?
Hi Nicky,
Sorry to hear about your injury. Yes it is a little strange having virual soul mates but also lovely belonging to such a supportive community, when people haven’t posted recently it leaves you wondering how they are getting on!
With regard to returning to work I think everyone is different, with different job expectations etc. You’ve got to think how am I going to get to work, will I be able to rest when I need to, will I be putting my self or anyone else at risk by being at work, will my employers adjust my hours or job demands in order to make it easier? if you get paid sick leave and you’ve not already got excessive sick leave you may benefit from an extra week or two to get your life back in order once you are more mobile and time also to keep on top of the exercises.
Looking forward to seeing your updates
Micah
Great blog micah,
Very helpful and strange to have virtual soul mates. I am 4 weeks, netball, no surgery.
Shocked to read how long they suggested off work. I was hoping to go back to work when the boot comes off at 10 weeks. Is that over optimistic? I would have to be on my feet a bit.
Really missing the car and toying with trading in my car for an automatic but driving at 12 weeks sounds just about manageable.
I took my first running steps early, while jay-walking across a busy intersection. (I think I was going from the subway to my PT!) I bet lots of us do, or did, or will do, similar things without harm.
