Is there a site like this for ACLs?
Posted on September 19th, 2017 by poachninja
asking for a friend…
9 Weeks update
Posted on May 19th, 2015 by poachninja
9 weeks on and things are getting back to normal. I am in two flat shoes with no limp (if slow), negotiate stairs, ride a road bike, swim, bounce my little baby on my bad leg, stand one footed (injured leg) pretty much indefinately and my calf is starting to grow again. I am just short of full passive ROM, though it requires a bit of stretching before hand and my ankle is quite stiff in the morning. I am pretty lucky in that I have had little pain througout, which is a blessing in a country that won’t perscribe pain killers, even in immediately post surgery, and have had no tightness or other issues with the scar tissue. I also don’t seem to have any noticible swelling after long walks, though it does get stiff and I am limping by the end.
I have, however, gained a bit of weight. I am 2kg heavier than pre injury but that isn’t really telling the full story as I am sure I have lost a lot of muscle. I am a normally very active person but burn most of my calories through play (moutain biking, skiing, mountaineering, trampolining, white water kayaking). I find it hard to motivate to do tedius gym type excersize and I am finding it hard to adjust my eating and drinking habits to reflect my more sedintary lifestyle, especially given the boredom. I even overheated my Playstation the other day!
Still, I am happy with my progress. The biggest milestone was dropping the crutches and being able to carry my 4 month old son around. He is even happier about the situation and I. Last night we even did a bit of “dancing” in front of the bathroom mirror, which I never would have thought I would have been able to do even a couple weeks ago. I think my next milestone will be MTBing in a boot. I did a search of the site and found this guy, Peter, who was killing it at 4 months. If anyone could tell me what kind of boot he has on, it will be helpful. I don’t think my vacocast is really up to the task. http://achillesblog.com/peterh/files/2009/08/july-15-whistler-with-bryan-010-small.jpg
5+ Weeks and Wondering…
Posted on April 21st, 2015 by poachninja
What can I do in my boot? I am supposed to be partial weight bearing with 2 crutches but I get no pain or weakness walking FWB. Also, I have yet to go to physio and get it approved, but I can ride a stationary bike with no pain, fatigue or swelling, though I am loath to push it until I am approved. Is it possible I could stretch or otherwise damage my AT if I am doing things like biking or walking in my VacoCast if it isn’t hurting? I am keen to start commuting on my road bike, protected in a boot but am worried I could damage something.
1 Month in; Looking back and forward
Posted on April 14th, 2015 by poachninja
As an aggressive skier and mountain biker, I am no stranger to injury. This most recent impairment has been somewhat more daunting than previous experiences, however. I guess this is the case for most of us, hence the popularity of a blog site dedicated to ruptured Achilles tendons.
My ruptured my Achilles a little over a month ago skiing Hakuba, Japan’s backcountry. I was caught in a rather large (Class 2-3 Canadian scale) slab avalanche and, either from the torquing of my skis in the tumble or from the awkward position of my leg and foot when I came to rest, I fully ruptured my left Achilles tendon. Because of the nature of the events, I heard no pop nor felt no pain. In fact, I did not know I had injured myself until several minutes after the event, when I tried to stand after being unburied by my ski partners.
While I had a long limp out over avalanche debris and a creek crossing, I was somewhat supported by a ski boot. When I finally made it to flatter terrain, I was able to call on the help of snowmobiling friends, who I knew were in the area.
Because of some good luck and skilled friends, I have had a death sentence commuted to 8-9 months of hard labor, so I really am grateful. Sometimes I need to remind myself of this when I start to feel sorry for myself.
In the 4 days I had between injury and going in for surgery, I did a lot of cram work and my biggest concern was the potential for Japanese doctors to follow a very conservative approach, such as full leg casts and the like. My experience here is that they tend toward conservatism and dated methods in many things. My fears proved unfounded, however, and I followed the well trodden path of 1 week cast, 1 week splint, vacoped at 2 weeks with 5 degree improvements every week. As this is my third surgery in Japan, I was fully prepared for the complete absence of pain medication, so it didn’t come as a surprise when I wasn’t given any. Luckily, this wasn’t the most painful of my operations. Putting 7 pins in my shoulder and collarbone proved far worse.
So here I am at 4 weeks and a bit. I am at 25degrees flexion, partial weight bearing and looking to drop another 5 degrees and a crutch in the next couple days. I started light stationary biking last week with a return to upper body gym work. Right now the biggest hurdle is my mental state. I am an active person who does a lot of adventure/adrenaline sport but not a lot of specific fitness activity, as I find it quite dull. I also have a 4 month old baby who’s main entertainment is to be carried around, something I cannot do on crutches. I try to focus on small improvements in my physical state but sometimes it seems to slow and a return to the things I find stimulating too distant. The frustration of not being able to console my crying son is also a trial. I just need to keep reminding myself how much worse it could have been, I guess.
Better still, I need to start looking forward. I sadly had to cancel my annual Whistler Glacier summer terrain park ski trip in July. I am hoping to be well enough to do a Colorado/Utah MTB trip I had planned for the high desert in mid Oct, but that would be exactly 7 months post surgery, so possibly somewhat overly ambitious. I read a post by a guy who started MTBing in his boot quite early in his healing process, so I may look into that in a couple of months. Until they, I will just keep on keeping on, dropping degrees of plantar flexion (I am never sure of the terms, having all this done in Japanese) and adding weight. My first real goal is dropping the crutches so I can carry around my little boy. That may just make all the difference.
Achillesblog - Updated Posts
Recent Comments
- donna | April 25th, 2015 | 10:40 am
You’re most welcome. I have the time right now even though I didn’t think I would because I’m planning a move, but that has been held up for a few months…I love gathering and disseminating information so it’s self serving! HA HA. However, at 6 months post op things are winding down, I’m most likely going back to work and moving in the next few months…so I imagine my visits will decrease as my time takes me elsewhere.
- glenskieus | April 25th, 2015 | 8:54 am
Hi Donna you should be rewarded on this site
you are very helpful and very active responding and giving info. Thank You very much! - donna | April 24th, 2015 | 5:17 pm
You came off to me as someone who wants to be educated, glad you knew the basics and I could help with this injury in particular. Best wishes to you.
- truth78 | April 24th, 2015 | 3:16 pm
Thank you very much Donna you have been very helpful, i appreciate it and hope i didn’t come across as standoffish or anything, because i t was totally not my intention. Im just trying to get as much information as i can, so i can be well informed,and heal as best i can.
- donna | April 24th, 2015 | 11:32 am
Truth…I’ve read on these blogs of two or three surgeons who don’t send patients to PT, though it is very rare. The standard is PT and lots of it. Red flag for sure. You are correct regarding the progression from surgery to strength. Strength can’t even really start until weeks 12 - 16 when the tendon’s rerupture rate drops significantly and the tendon is strong enough…and then it takes months to gain, as it’s the hardest muscle to build…to get enough calf strength to walk for long periods, to walk fast, or even to stand for long periods takes time and must be done incrementally. Stairs and climbing ladders are a whole different ball game…not going to happen without PT or time to build the calf. We all need gait training as a limp is part of recovery and you don’t want to stay in that at all…a good PT will not let you limp and will teach you how to avoid it as well as condition you so you won’t limp. From my observations most of us don’t walk stairs properly until well after month 4. You will need PT and at home program to reach MMI. Don’t let them close you out before 6 months as you should get an impairment rating for the
[...] - truth78 | April 24th, 2015 | 10:53 am
Thank you Donna i appricate the knowledge. I understand my rights and how workman’s comp works, in my particular field of work a lot of people get hurt on the job. My job really has no light duty, light duty would be standing for 8/10 hours sweeping and gathering all of the trash and dumping it. I dont know if im wrong, but most achilles, full tears take 6-12 months like you mentioned to get to maximum Medical Improvemet. My physician told me, before surgery i probably wont need therapy,… Red flag. Dealing with an achilles tear is new to me so please correct me if im wrong. First the surgery, then the immobilization of your foot, followed by slight movement/weight bearing, and strengthening of your achellies. I am not a professional athlete but for me to fet to Maximum/being able to walk without pain(normally) and have my full range of motion in my achillies, takes months of work/therapy… At home or with a professional therapist.
- donna | April 23rd, 2015 | 10:31 am
Truth78 there are guidelines workers comp must follow for each injury. However, how each state applies them is different. I’d advise you to educate yourself to the whole process for your state. They are responsible to help you get to Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) which will take 6 - 12 months for this injury. They should be paying you a % of your salary while you are out and paying all the medical bills. They can require you to go back to work but they must accommodate you (Only your Comp doc can make your accommodations or change them as you heal) by mortifying your job according to the one’s your doc sets for you each phase of rehab…such as No climbing ladders, sitting 80% of job period…in the meantime they will still pay all your injury related bills as you rehab. If you don’t accept an modified job they offer, they can take your weekly benefits but still pay medical. If they don’t offer a modified job (in writing) you just collect benefits until you can go back to your regular unmodified position. Also, they do not have to keep your position open for you.
- truth78 | April 23rd, 2015 | 1:17 am
Thank you missterik, I was thinking about making a blog,i am a little concerned. I was hurt at work so my case is OJI(on job injury) I am worried that they will try and rush me back, before my achillies is totally healed.
- missterik | April 23rd, 2015 | 12:51 am
Truth78, Friday will be 5 weeks post-op for me, as well. My foot also gets heavy every time I have it down. I keep it elevated as much as possible. My OS also thinks I can be back to work by June 15th, however, I operate a home preschool business and am on my feet and run up and down stairs all day. It is hard for me to imagine being ready by then. But I have confidence in my OS and will continue to follow his instructions like a good patient! Good luck to you on this amazing journey. Lol I would love to hear about your progress.
- truth78 | April 22nd, 2015 | 10:40 pm
Thank you Glenskieus, and i will do that, good luck on your recovery as well. I was told maybe by june 15th i can go back to work…. That seems kind of soon, i work a physical job which requires a lot of walking and climbing ladders.
- glenskieus | April 22nd, 2015 | 5:51 pm
Hi Truth, I am also at 5 weeks post op.. Elevate above the level of your heart and ice as often if swollen. And gentle massage from foot going to the calf..
Goodluck on your recovery
- truth78 | April 22nd, 2015 | 3:43 pm
Hello all, im new to the site, i am also 5 weeks post op. I am trying to see what i can/cant do. My foot is still really swollen, and feels like dead weight. Is this normal? Plus i cannot move my foot, i take off my boot when resting to relieve pressure on my heel.
- cjernigan81 | April 22nd, 2015 | 9:02 am
I agree with Donna - riding a bike outside is too much of a risk at this point. Re-rupture would be the absolute worst scenario right now so I would let that be my motivation to be sure not to do too much. Riding a stationary bike is okay - I was riding a stationary bike (w/boot) at week 3.
- donna | April 21st, 2015 | 10:56 pm
I skipped the whole PWB thing and went FWB in the boot with three wedges (30 degrees plantaflexion) two days after my cast was removed at 3 weeks. I was following OS orders to be FWB anytime between that day (3 weeks and the 6 week mark), that I was earlier as opposed to later is not remarkable, nor did it make me a super woman…smile…it was just what I was ready for. If you are ready to FWB you can check in with your OS, however, I think it’s fine personally.
Walking in the boot at 5 weeks should not cause any problem. For the most part the boot is doing the work of the calf/tendon for you and is protected from stretching via the setting you have it at. Stationary biking in the boot OK in my opinion. I wouldn’t ride outside with the boot at 5 weeks, too many chances for an accident, however, I’ve read blogs of others riding bikes with boots on. I wouldn’t because I’ve also read some reports of re-ruptures while wearing the boot. Though rare they do happen via falls/accidents, not just regular walking around FWB.
Take what’s helpful and leave the rest.
- cpo | April 16th, 2015 | 4:45 pm
We are close in timeframe, as my surgery on my right achilles was on March 17. I just went to partial weight bearing today, day 30, and expect to be full weight bearing gradually over the next few weeks. I am in my fifth cast since the procedure with a flimsy little shoe on top of it. My big victory was that I was able to drive today for the first time…ah, the small victories!
I have been keeping a journal, which has been helpful in that it helps me see progress that I would otherwise perhaps overlook (I tried to use the timeline on this site but was unsuccessful, not sure why).
Anyway, sounds like you are doing great, are already into rehab, which is great! Good luck, and hang in there!
- donna | April 15th, 2015 | 10:18 am
Well you have the best rupture story I’ve read so far! An avalanche…kind of exciting way to do it. I love how you expressed it as a death sentence commuted to hard labor…brilliant analogy!
You’re protocol looks great, early and progressive. YAY for the Japanese Docs! …and congratulations on becoming a father!
Facing this injury and months of rehab is hard, and will be hard for some time, it’s just part of the injury…each phase has it’s own challenges to overcome, however, you’re attitude will determine how you experience each phase. How you see things so to speak. The choice is always ours.
Also, I’d suggest a papoose, day pack, sling…some kind of pouch to carry your son when you are FWB without support, you both might enjoy that closeness. Best wishes to you…
