Posted on February 22nd, 2019 by mirei1509
After the ATR and prior to my surgery, while I was hobbling away, my crutches had slipped about six different instances. Five of those cases, a crutch was luckily able to slip and hit a barrier and prevented me from falling completely to the floor. One of those cases, I actually ended up hitting where the ATR injury was. I was only fazed by the last one and the one involving ice outdoors. Post surgery, a slip-catch moment due to a movable carpet really had my heart jumping out. It’s funny how the mindset has changed.
Prior to surgery, these slips usually were due to small amounts of water on the hardwood floor, loose snow on ice, or sufficient dustbunnies connected on the crutch tips to induce slip when placed at a slanted angle.
I recommend fellow crutch users to be wary of slightly wet floor, try to keep the tips clean and remove slid-able isolated carpet mats. Use crutches wisely, when going up the stairs, place crutch tips in strategic places (i.e where they are restrained by a barrier /wall/step). Or just use your butt and good leg going up and down the stairs.
I’m going to try out alternative crutch tips and perhaps add feedback here
shown in
here
http://AchillesBlog.com/mirei1509/2019/02/22/replacing-tip-of-crutches/crutch-tip/
another alternative is
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ThZ5VdjJL._SY355_.jpg
These might be more slip resistant with wet floor, but not sure about dustbunnies.
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Posted on February 21st, 2019 by mirei1509
It’s Day 6 post surgery.
In the few days since the last post, the pain has mostly become minimal. Online literature suggest elevation slight at or above heart level and not placing pressure directly on the AT wound. Occasionally the repaired foot would feel tight or similar to needles poking along the foot where the AT is located and at the heel. Usually shifting the repaired leg to a hovering position would reduce the pain. One apsirin was taken per day to reduce blood clotting, and no additional pain killers (i.e. acetaminophen) was taken or needed since day 1 post surgery.
A couple of times times, sudden calf contractions and tightness at the heel have woken me up. During my 1st post op evaluation, the Orthopedic doctor indicated this symptom was the result of inactivity and indicated stretching the toes should relive this pain. He then proceeded to tell me for the first time of how I should have been moving about much more to prevent blood clotting and flexing my toes (10 sec. increments) to reduce atrophy. Luckily, I have been doing the latter repetitively while cracking up after saying ‘Wiggle your big toe’ for the last two days.
Removal of splint and dressing showed decently healing leg (not swollen and didn’t show signs of infection). Slightly more yellowish skin @ the lower calf, was attributed to bruising. It was very surprising to hear the stitches were to be removed this session, as all previously read literature suggested removal of stitches 10-14 days post op. Luckily the wound did not reopen (mostly a long thin red line along the skin above where the AT is located), and my first cast was constructed with plantar flexion of about 30 deg. He instructed for one additional month of no weight bearing on ATR foot but will have a series of casts with different angles. The next cast/visit is to be during week 3 post op.
From online resource(s), I plan on following these suggestions for strength exercises for the few days post surgery until 2-3 weeks post surgery
Passive and active range of motion from 20 deg plantar flexion to neutral position
toe curles
toe spreads
knee flexion/extension
straight leg raises
4-5 times per day
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Side Note:
Since today was my first post op evaluation, it was the first time I have gone outside since the surgery. This was a big change, since prior the the ATR, I was always out and about, even after staying for 1 full day indoor I would feel ansty and jump at every chance to be outdoors (rain, snow, gloomy or shiny). Even post ATR and prior to surgery, I was still going to work with crutches and moving to everywhere I could.
But now, post op, the risk for rerupture is present. Last night, it was snowing and became rain for a short duration while the temperature was gradually higher than freezing, and luckily the landlord was quick to clear the snow from the sidewalks. It was amazing to be so fearful of the remaining bits of ice/snow scattered along the handful of steps down to reach the street level and sidewalk, to be worried I would slip and rerupture the AT. I thought I would be able to back to my work after 1-2 weeks post op, but I am very worried about slipping/falling during the transit (especially during this no weight bearing (NWB) period. It is slightly reassuring that my manager is open to the option of me working from home during potential slip conditions that are induced by the weather. The next few months will be challenging times to gauge between choices that have reduced risk of slip/fall/AT rerupture but still living a life and contributing for work.
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Posted on February 16th, 2019 by mirei1509
My ATR repair surgery was on Feb 15, 2019. Today is Day 1 post surgery.
I could eat solid soft foods right after surgery without nausea, but the throat did slightly sting when swallowing, since a tube was stuffed down my throat during the surgery.
Currently, my right leg is protected by splints and dressing, and instructed to be non weight bearing for this foot. Toes and knee are not covered. The dressing is to be kept dry.
If toes became blue or if a fever 101.5 F or if the dressing became drenched, I was instructed to go to the hospital right away.
1 aspirin a day and elevated repaired foot was ordered to reduce the chance of blood clotting.
Pain cycles between light and slightly moderate, and I’ve only taken an Acetaminophen once yesterday and once this morning. Remember to find out which pain relievers can and cannot be taken within 8-12 hrs of each other.
Tightness is mostly minimal when I am lifting my repaired foot in the air, slightly more when my foot is on the pillow tower. The feeling of small needles prickling the repaired leg increases on my bathroom trips. Overall, I thought the pain level was tolerable.
My post op evaluation is scheduled for next Thursday (day 6 post surgery).
Pre-op, doctor prescribed 1 week off from work, and will probably decide with me during the evaluation, if more time off is need or not.
After reading some ATR recovery suggestions from literature online. I plan on doing toe wiggles for 4 min increments on Day 3.
A positive outlook is crucial to the healing process. I’ve written colorful post it notes to my future self with words of encouragement. This could be a method for others too.
Good Luck Everyone!
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Posted on February 15th, 2019 by mirei1509
Hi World.
I’m Mirei, a 29 yr old gal who loves running (frequent half marathoner), biking, and hiking.
On Jan 30, 2019, I was running up a ramp, slipped and the heel caught on slight ledge that was enough for me to land badly on my right leg. I felt a sharp slap on the back of my leg btwn heel and calf, and couldn’t walk with out pain. Urgent care misdiagnosed it as a sprain. They provided an Aircast walking boot (slightly Dorsiflexion to neutral position) along with Achilles Tendon strengthening exercises. Later, an orthopedic doctor confirmed it was an Achilles tendon rupture via Thompson Test plus further examination, and provided a Breg Achilles Walking Boot (30 deg plantar flexion). Surgery was recommended due to my ‘young’ age and since I was generally physically active.
My surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles Tendon was on Feb 15, 2019.
I was initially very scared of not being able to run long distance again, but various blogs’ recover on this site has given me hope. Thank you.
The rest of the posts will cover my ATR recovery process.
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