Softballpop
Posted on June 28th, 2009 by pmkilk
I completely ruptured my right Achilles three weeks ago. Two days later, I had surgery. I went to the doctor six days later and a hard cast was put on my leg. I still have the staples in my leg. I return to the doctor tomorrow (almost three weeks post-surgery). I believe it will be casted again, but don’t know. It hasn’t been too painful, as long as I keep it elevated. I don’t know when I will be able to put any weight on it, but hope it will be soon. I’ll see what the doc has to say.
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I went to the doctor for my second follow up (post surgery) and the cast was taken off and the staples were removed. I now have a boot that I can take off to take a shower and to occasionally air out my leg. It is large and heavy. I am still non-weight wearing and will be at least until I return to the doctor. I also started passive PT three weeks and two days after the surgery. It was a bit sore afterwards and for the last few days. I will be going for PT twice a week for at least four weeks. I return to the doctor almost five weeks post surgery.
pmkilk,
I had a complete rupture of my left Achilles on 14/June/09 and had a surgery and a cast the same day. They removed the cast a week later. I’m in fourth week with my clutches and still non weight bearing in my injured leg. The wound’s progress is tremendous.
I’m planning to start PT in the week five.
Wish me luck and goodluck with yours.
cBukaza, It sounds like you are coming along well. I have been told by many that you should listen to the doc and don’t try to go too fast too soon. Hang in there.
I’m now five weeks post injury/surgery. I saw the doc 34 days after the surgery. I was given the OK by the doctor to put only toe touch weight on my right leg while using the crutches. I will be doing that for the next two to three weeks. I have continued with the PT, which was a bit more aggressive last time out and hopefully will be moving me towards more weight bearing and walking without crutches.
I also ruptured my achilles tendon playing softball. I was pitching and I felt like I got hit in the back of the leg with a line drive. Glanced back to see what had hit me and I heard and felt it pop. This happened on July 9th, 2009 and I am scheduled for surgery on Tuesday the 21st.
Dr. placed me in a splint. Not much pain with leg elevated—throbbing ache when I stand up on the crutches. Nice way to spend the summer. I was having a great season, too. Oh well, there’s always next year.
bbyjane, Good luck with the surgery. It is a slow process and you should not rush it. It is now almost six weeks since the surgery. I am hoping to be able to put some weight on it soon, so that I can get back to walking. Hopefully the doc will give me the OK for some weight bearing when I see him next.
When I was hurt, I too was pitching and made a catch on a foul ball, turned to check the runners and heard the pop. You’re right it felt like something hit me in the back of the ankle. Strange feeling but fortunately was not that painful.
Hang in there.
pmkilk, Thanks for the advice. Yeah, it hurt bad for about the first minute, then barely and ache. I’m afraid the real pain is yet to come, post op and rehab. Am I right?
It really has not been too bad. I kept it pretty still and elevated for most of the first three or four weeks following the surgery. That probably helped with the pain. They gave me Vicodin and Motrin, but I only took the VIcodin once and the Motrin a few times. Since I have been putting the toe-touch weight on it, I have noticed that is it sore, but not too bad. The PT itself is a bit painful, but I figure that is good, as it is hopefully healing and I am getting some motion back in the ankle and leg. People have told me that when I start moving it and putting more weight on is, it will be sore. TIme will tell.
I am now eight weeks post surgery. I was just given the OK to wear shoes and walk with the crutches. They are weaning me off the crutches and I have been able to put most of my weight on the leg. The last few days I have been walking with only one crutch. It feels funny and I get sore. The therapist has be doing a lot of stretching and strengthening exercises. My ankle swells a bit, but I have been told to expect that since I am now using the ankle and foot, which has been dormant for about two months. I have been having a bit of a problem with stitch abcesses, where the stitch wants to come out and it gets itchy and red. Otherwise, everything seems to be healing well.
Congratulation on the 2 shoes! It must feel great not to have a cast or boot on. I can’t wait! Sounds like you are moving along quite well, except for the bit of soreness. I guess soreness is to be expected.
My staples were finally removed two days agos, 3 weeks post op, and doc says everything looks good. But he made it a point to tell me 4 times that it is imperative that I do not put weight on the foot. I didn’t ask him if I could—he must have seen it in my eyes! I have very little pain–except for the pin prick sensations in my heel and on the outside of my foot. Doc says it’s the nerves and it’s all a normal part of the healing process. He also said that the rupture was severe–the tendon was shredded and they had to go “fishing” for it, so my incision is longer than expected—about 8 inches as opposed to the 4 that was expected. Oh well.
Still sitting with leg elevated and icing it. Trying to be careful about what I eat so as not to gain too much weight. Starting an uppper body workout today. At the very least, maybe that will make me feel a little bit accomplished.
Thanks for the advice, support, and update. Good luck and keep up the good work!!!!
Jane
Jane,
It is frustrating not being able to move around. The pin prick sensations that you are feeling will probably be there until you start waking up your foot. I still occasionally have that sensation.
Sorry to hear that your scar is longer than expected. Think of it as a badge of courage (or something - you decide.) My scar is about 5-6 inches long. I might get a tatoo there in the shape of a softball bat, just to remind me of that fateful day.
Yesterday, I was slowly walking around the house without crutches (very slowly). I was holding the crutch, but not using it. It is still a bit tentative, but it is good to be somewhat free of having to lean on something. I have a bunch of exercises with a band that I do for the tendon. It is amazing how tight it feels, but it is getting better.
Hang in there. You are not too far behind me.
Pat