Jul 02 2012
6 Months - Things I Can Do
So its now been 6 months - this was my goal to be “back in the saddle” so to speak… Not nearly as far along in recovery as I was hoping - I guess my friends who’ve had this injury too were right, this will take at least a year.
Current status is that the achilles is tight and still requires alot of stretching each morning. ROM is probably around 90%, but getting to that range takes some stretching and the limits of extension, etc. are uncomfortable at best. When trying for full extension onto the ball of my foot there seems to be a spot at about 85% extension where there is a “hitch” which is very weak - kind of like a car door when it moves past the partial open point - it just gives in to the last bit… Calf strength I would put at about 50% - 60% - I measured 1″ difference between the calves about two months ago, just measured it now and am at about 3/4″ differential - progress there I suppose - I have some muscle on the outside of the calf, but not even close to filling it out on the inside. Still no jumping, and no 1 foot calf raises. Still doing strengthening exercises and working on longer and longer trail walks and moving into light jog/walking at short intervals.
In order to keep sane and positive I am trying to focus on the things I can do vs. the thing I can’t do. I have been out rafting and stand up paddling on local rivers. Not hitting any larger rapids on the SUP yet, and duration is best at 1-2 hours or so, but I think this is great PT for strengthening the foot & ankle muscles. I can bike up to a couple of hours and about 10-15 miles of hills (only cardio I can get), but not really on single track yet - downhill riding on uneven terrain and standing in the pedals is not there yet. Hiking on trail up to 5-6 miles is about the max. Working: lifting and carrying up to around 100 lbs. is getting easier and a bit less frightening.
Anyhow - here’s hoping this info is helpful to folks who are earlier on this journey. Peace to all…