when were you able to swim?
Question for anyone who used swimming as a way to get the HR up after surgery… how long after surgery did your doctor give you the OK to swim, or suggest swimming? Mine said it would be "when the incision has healed" which was somewhat vague to me. I plan to swim with a pull buoy, which is a float that you hold between your thighs, keeping the legs still.
I have a 2-mile swim race that I’m signed up for, the last weekend in May… registered for it months ago. I won’t be doing any triathlons this year, so this race is my only chance for 2009 to participate in anything, even though I wouldn’t be "racing" per se… more a leisurely timed swim. It’s not the end of the world if I can’t do this race, but it would be nice if I could.
on March 18th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I could not wait to get into the pool…since I ruptured last year, let me think. I had my splint/casts on for about 5-6 weeks post op. Then I got the boot around week 6, and that is when I started going to the pool. I used a pull buoy too, to make sure I did not try to push off with the bad foot..
I suppose you could get into a pool earlier if you have a boot already. I think the “danger” is being on or near slippery pool sides. I basically wore my boot right to the pool stairs and lowered my self down the stairs on my butt. I left my towel and boot near the stairs so I could dry off and put the boot on before taking steps. Glad to report, no slips or trips!
on March 18th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
newleaf - are you still having problems inserting images into your posts? I am able to add images to my posts, so I think the problem went away, mysteriously. let me know if you run into this again. thanks!
on March 20th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Hi All
I got into the pool after my 4th week Post Op appt after AT reconstruction (mine was detached from the bone). It was one of the best days!
It has been awhile
on April 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Really interested to hear peoples’ thoughts on this.
I’m getting really strong resistance to swimming from the medical profession in the UK. I’m at almost 3 weeks post-op. I’m really keen to know what lies behind the resistance to “alllowing” this. Is it:
1. Risk of infection from the pool
2. Risk of re-rupture in the pool from pushing off the wall or slipping because you have no support
3. Risk of re-rupture because a pool is a “slippery” place
I have a feeling in these litigious days the answer is (3) and both (2) and (3) are risks that can be potentially “managed” and avoided.
I would have thought swimming would be the ideal exercise for getting your heart rate up during recovery and if you swim with a pullbuoy so that your legs are doing no work at all there has to be minimal risk of injury to the achilles.