I havent updated this much because I plateaud for quite awhile and was quite discouraged
I have been crossfitting 4 days a week in my recovery, and at this point there is little outside of jumping rope and box jumps that I cant do to some extent.
However, 2 days ago I got my first box jump. And then I added about 40 more. It was only a 16 inch box, but I overcame the fear. I’m pretty sure I could have conquered the 20 inch box but I didn’t want to push it too far. I was a little sore the next day, but it was muscular and not that burning tendon feeling. It only took 5 and a half months!
At this point I am confident in my plan to enter my first crossfit competition in July.
It’s been awhile since my last post. Mostly because there is minimal progress. I suppose it’s just less noticable.
I can walk slowly without a limp, but I like to walk fast so it’s usually visible.
I made it through through Crossfit open, starting with a goal of finishing in the top half of my region. I came close, finishing in the top 55%
Nearly every workout seemed to be effected by my lack of calf strength.
13.1 snatches are hard when you can’t get up to your toes.
13.2 Box jumps were subbed with step ups
13.3 Every try a one legged double under? I was only able to get 14.
13.4 This one actually wasnt too bad . Thrusters put a little strain on the achilles at the bottom, but not too much pain.
I’m please to have finished every workout, but of course I want to be further along.
At this point I still cant get even a millimeter off the ground without some assistance from the other leg. Is this typical for everyone? Starting to slip back into the pity party now that I’ve plateaued.
So I went to the Physical therapist for the 3rd time yesterday and it is becoming apparent that it is a complete waste of time.
All 3 times it consisted of the following:
PT: “Do you have any pain?”
Me: No
PT:”Lets see you move it.”
I then move it to a bit further than neutral
PT:Wow you are doing great. This is one of the best cases of progress I’ve seen in an achilles rupture. The doctor is really impressed too. blah blah blah”
PT: You should have a few lifts left in your boot right? I wouldn’t take anymore out of there for now, this is a very slow process”
Me: I have just 1 lift left to remove and just 2 more days until it’s gone
PT: I wouldnt take it out for a week or so. Actually if things get swollen ( my ankle has not swollen at all since the 1st week post surgery) it might not be a bad idea to put one back in. Make sure you stay on 2 crutches too, very little weight bearing” ( I have been on just 1 crutch for a week FWB and for the most part I dont even use that crutch except for around the office and back and forth to the car)
PT: Well I will see you next week I don’t think we need another session this week,, you are doing so well!
This whole process takes about 10 minutes
I know my surgeon is far more progressive. He initially told me that in 4 weeks he wanted me to be at neutral in the boot, FWB with no crutches, which I am on track for. At my 2 week post op was was surpised I had not removed all of my lifts from my boot yet, and said my ROM was off the charts.
It seems to me that this PT is a waste of my time. I chose him because he is in the same office and my surgeon and would be able to communicate with him as much as needed.
Anyone else have this experience with the PT. It seems to me like if I’m 3 weeks ahead of schedule, then I should be doing whatever it is you do at that mark now? Make sense?
Everything looked great. There was a bit of a smell coming from under the steri strips which had concerned me for a couple of days, but the doctor ripped the rest of the strips off and thought it was more likely just from the shower. He cleaned it up with peroxide and told me to keep it dry for a couple of days and then return to showering.
I am at neutral now and just have 2 more lifts left to remove in my boot, which he said I could speed up and remove them both in the next week. Everything feels great, although my plantar flexion is pretty weak, which is to be expected. Another appointment in 2 weeks when we are likely looking at two shoes!
This is what the wound looks like now.
Went to the box again and only had to modify 1 movement for the WOD.
WOD- Alyssa’s Special
15 minute AMRAP
20 Pull Ups- Be sure to pay attention when coming down from the bar.
30 Air Squats - I was able to do these without pain or problem, but they may not be for everyone. Listen to your body.
30 Supermans ( this was in place of 20 Deadlifts (225/165)
30 Push Ups
20 Sit Ups
Result 2 Rounds +46 reps
My coach told me I look sad when I come in there, and he knows I want to do the lifting. He’s right, but it does feel great just to be in that atmosphere. I know I’ve said that a million times already!
Of course I’m modifying everything to accommodate the fact that I am PWB.
8 minute AMRAP
4 Hang Clean/Pushpress #105 ( I did this right in front of a rack so I didn’t have to go all the way to the ground my left leg was bent and up on a 20″ box. I started with a yoga mat for cushion but it was too unstable, so I got rid of it and just bit the bullet.
8 Toes to bar
Result 5 rounds + 2
90 second rest THEN…
6 minute AMRAP
5 Pistols
10 Kettlebell swings #53 ( this was slightly more difficult. Again I used the 20 inch box, but had to kind of lean off the box a bit to make room for the kettlebell between my legs. After a couple of rounds I got the hang of it.
Result 6 rounds +6
90 seconds rest THEN.
2 minute Max pushups.
Result:48
Wow, that was one heck of a workout. Again it’s great to be back in the community of crossfit. Fortunately I don’t feel any soreness afterward, and I actually think the exercise aids my overall recovery. Second session of PT is tonight.
If there is enough interest I could make some videos to illustrate how I modify these workouts to fit our injury. Just let me know.
I have managed to stay in shape on my own since my operation , but today I ventured back into the box for my first “official” post op crossfit workout!
It was great to get that vomit reflex going again!
WOD- 20 min AMRAP
20- sitting crunch to wall ball (20#)
10 Ring row
10 Ring dip
Finished 6 rounds +30
It was great to get the blood flowing and the camaraderie back. Healing seems to be shifting more toward the mental side of things and this just gave me a big push. I plan to get back into it at least 3 times a week.
My first physical therapy session came on Friday, 2 weeks and 2 days post op.
I chose to stay in the sports medicine clinic linked with my doctor’s office. I did this mostly because the doctor or nurses would be just down the hall if there was any question about my protocol.
The first session was mostly evaluation. He said the goal would be to get to neutral in 6 weeks post op. After the evaluation he seemed optimistic and almost impressed saying I am just a few degrees from neutral already and it will be no problem to get to neutral in a few weeks. I seem to be in good shape, but I could tell he didn’t want to get me to speed up recovery.
Tomorrow I will go back to the crossfit box and get some coaching on what else I can be doing to maintain my strength and conditioning in the rest of my body. I’ve been working 0n my own, but honestly I think it will be a big boost in morale just to get back into the crossfit environment. I’ll post tomorrow with the results.
I had a co worker stop by my desk yesterday and suggest the use of arnica gel as a topical anti inflammatory. I looked it up and for $10 at Walgreens I thought i would give it a shot.
It is advertised to reduce swelling, muscles stiffness and bruising. I applied it twice during the day yesterday.
today I woke up to find my ankle feeling pretty great with minimal swelling. This part wasn’t all that phenomenal to me because it feels pretty good every morning. But the bruising was visibly less. I didnt take a before pic so I don’t have any hard evidence to compare, but i did take one this morning . I will take another photo in a couple of days to shoe the difference.
Anyone have luck with this gel?
This afternoon is my first session of PT…Fingers crossed.
this is a video showing my rage of motion now that I am 15 days post op. I will start physical therapy tomorrow, but have been doing these types of exercises 3 times a day for the last 4-5 days. Does anyone know how this compares to where I should be at this point?
so it’s usually visible.
