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.
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you are very helpful and very active responding and giving info. Thank You very much!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 scar, large tendon (it heals thick), as well as any lost ROM - the usual is 5 - 10 % for this injury. Hope that helps.
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.
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.
Hi Donna you should be rewarded on this site
you are very helpful and very active responding and giving info. Thank You very much!
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.